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Lead free makeup can keep you smart and healthy–but why’s it so hard to make? | Source: ShutterStock
Makeup can be pretty dangerous–and we’re not just talking about the whole “applying eyeliner in a moving vehicle” kind of danger. It turns out, some cosmetics are legit toxic and can harm not just your physical, but also your mental health.
A new study showed that out of 22 brands of lipstick tested, 55 percent of them showed traceable amounts of lead. That’s pretty scary, because even in tiny amounts, lead can do some serious damage to your brain.
“What we know now is that even the lowest levels of lead can harm your IQ, your behavior, your ability to learn,” one expert said. Yikes! So how much is in typical amounts of lipstick and lip gloss?
The study showed that it varied among types, colors, manufacturers, and where the makeup was actually produced. Some had no detectable amounts of lead, while others ranged from 3.22 parts per million. The limit is usually around 5 parts per million. It may not sound like a lot, but considering how dangerous a substance lead is, it’s quite a bit. This is stuff you want to avoid at all possible costs if you can.
The FDA says that small amounts of lead in lipstick are safe, but the Center for Disease Control disagrees and says that even the tiniest bits are toxic.
Despite the lead content still being somewhat alarming, it’s actually better than what it was recently. In 2010, the lead count was roughly twice what it is now, clocking in at an average of 7 parts per million. One expert explained, “Clearly the concerning part is that more than half of the lipsticks do contain lead, but half of them don’t, proving that it’s possible to manufacture a lipstick without lead.”
So why aren’t more companies doing something about it? It may be because that while it’s possible to make a lead-free lipstick, it may not be easy–and we doubt any cosmetics company is out to poison anyone on purpose! This particular study didn’t find any links between lipsticks with and without lead, and there was no pattern or method to it among brands, colors, or locations. However, another study showed that 400 shades of popular lipstick had trace amounts of lead, with L’Oreal, Maybelline,Cover Girl,and NARS brands containing the most. So if you’re looking for lip color that won’t make you crazy or sick, at least you have an idea of where to start!
Do you think lead content in makeup is a serious problem or nothing to worry about? Have you ever gotten sick or had an allergic to reaction to makeup? What’s your lipstick or lip gloss of choice? Tell us in the comments!
This is the best lipstick trick ever. Ever.
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luckily I’m not a lips person, but that is horrible. I wonder whats in other make-up products. It’s hard to tell when most of the ingredients on the bottles look like giberish. Probably why people shouldn’t use so much
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I don’t use lipgloss or makeup. I just use lip balm (summer fruit- tastes so good!) because I get super dry, chapped lips all the time. It is kinda shiny, so I guess it looks okay. But that is awful that there’s lead in makeup! Makeup, especially lipstick, is something people put on their faces, which is the place where any germs or chemicals can have access to your body. I mean, it’s a step up from Georgian England, when they used to wear white lead paint on their faces. Nowadays, though, people are usually pretty aware of harmful chemicals, and the fact that there is a toxic chemical in everyday supplies proves that some people just don’t care about society’s health. I mean, wow. That’s awful.
Haha well funny thing, I’ve never liked lip sticks/glosses, so I’m in no danger.
wow that is frightening! i let my daughter use my lipsticks and lipglosses all of the time! is there a list of all of the companies that do have lead in it? what would i be looking for on the label?