Welcome to "Makeup Science"! This series is intended to show that beauty products may harm you, and that you must be more aware of what you put in/on your body. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this article!
Did you know that 61 percent of all lipstick brands contain lead? That is a bit scary to all girls, isn't it? Some of the brands that contain lead: L'Oreal, Cover Girl, and Dior Addict. The highest amount of lead is in lipstick brands such as Maybelline and L'Oreal.
For those who don't know what lead is, lead is a dangerous element in the carbon group on the periodic table. It's symbol is Pb, and it's atomic number is 82. Lead is a soft, malleable metal that may be poisonous to animals and humans when it reaches a certain amount. It can build up in consumers' bodies, harming them. When it is built up in humans' bodies, it may cause lowered IQ, increased aggression, and mind issues.
Anyways, in 2009, the F.D.A (Food and Drug Administration) analyzed how much lead can be contained in one container of lipstick. In December of 2011, the F.D.A announced it poses no harm, for it is a low amount. But, there may be a few concerns that may arise in consumers' minds.
First of all, what about the limitations?
They have limitations for lead in color-additives that is used in cosmetics, but not cosmetics itself. As far as the limitations go, they cannot have more than 20 parts per million.
Was the F.D.A or the government aware of this issue?
Yes, they were aware. The suspicions arose in the 1990's during lab testing, hinting that lead may be dangerous in lipstick. In October of 2007, a campaign came about, trying to prevent dangerous cosmetics. They reported that the campaign found a few brands in the market that had lead. When that was announced, the F.D.A stepped in.
Should consumers be concerned?
No, the consumers should not be concerned. The Food and Drug Administration has analyzed the lipstick brands for potential harm, and found no reasons to be worried. But the consumers should be concerned if they wear lipstick all the time, every day. The lead can build up in your body, adding up to a dangerous amount.
What are some brands that do not have lead? And what are the lipsticks called?
According to research The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics did in 2007 there were lipsticks that did not have any lead!
Some are:
- Avon, with the lipstick called Ultra Color Rich Cherry Jubilee
- The Body Shop, with the lipstick called Lip Color Garnet
- Clinique, with the lipstick called Long Last Lipstick Merlot
- Dior, with the lipstick called Replenishing Lip Color Red Premiere
- Estee Lauder, with the lipstick called Maraschino
- MAC, with the lipstick called Matte Lipstick Viva Glam 1
- Revlon, with the lipstick called Superlustrous Love That Red
- Revlon, with the lipstick called Superlustrous Bed of Roses
- Revlon, with the lipstick called Colorstay Lipcolor Red Velvet
- Tarte, with the lipstick called Inside Out Vitamin Lipstick
- Wet n Wild, with the lipstick called Mega Colors Cherry Blossom.
To get more information on healthy beauty products, www.beautypedia.com is the place to go!
Is lead in any other makeup products, besides lipstick?
Unfortunately, yes. Some cosmetics have lead, such as: foundation, mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, blushes, etc. Consumers must be very careful when purchasing cosmetics! I would suggest researching the company and its brand, to figure out if lead is contained in any of its products.
Overall, lead is very dangerous. It can lead to mental issues, if it gets built up in consumers' body systems over time. And guess what? Unfortunately, people tend to wear makeup, no matter if it has lead or not. They want to feel beautiful and gorgeous, even though they don't need makeup! Everyone is beautiful the way they are. Makeup really affects everyone, because when they put it on so often, when they are bare-faced, they feel ugly. Makeup just covers up our imperfections, not solve them.
Author's Note: Thank you for all the support from my friends, as well as the people who want me to do better in my writing!
Sources: www.fda.gov/cosmetics/productandingredientsafety/productinformation/ucm137224.htm
safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=223
glamology.com/beauty/study-finds-popular-cosmetics-contain-lead-arsenic-and-other-toxic-heavy-metals/
