22
2009
Lead in Lipsticks
An article by 
Lipsticks contain lead. According to the cosmetic industry: false. According to the FDA: true. So which is it?
The FDA regulates the amount of chemicals which is found in our food, cosmetics, detergent, medicine and other details concerning the food we eat and the drugs we have to take. This includes cosmetic companies submitting a test sample to the FDA for every batch of cosmetic—lipstick, mascara, etc—they make, before that batch is made. The FDA has released in a statement that lipsticks do contain a certain amount of lead, however these doses are so small that they do not pose as a health risk.
It is impossible to tell if the lead in lipsticks and other cosmetics cause cancer, since cancer research has pointed out that there seems to be no one cause, but rather a combination of elements and factors that cause cells to become cancerous.
However, it is still best to be cautious. During the FDA tests, some lipsticks contained more lead than the others. Lipsticks which do not easily wipe off contain more lead than those that wipe off easily.
Lead builds up in the body over time, so limiting your exposure to lead might help improve your health in the long run.
