Lead and Cosmetics

There is a rumour on the Internet claiming that long lasting lipsticks are dangerous because of lead. It is BOGUS! The internet rumour on lipsticks started in May 2003 and pops up from time to time.

It has been debunked many times.

See http://www.snopes.com/toxins/lipstick.asp

Several major brands of lipstick contain dangerous levels of lead. Status: False.

CTFA Response Statement

Lead and Cosmetics

It is impossible to live in a lead-free world. Lead is ubiquitous in the environment. It is in the air, water, soil, in short, it is unavoidable. However, compared to the amount of lead a person would ingest from eating and drinking ordinary foods, the amount expected from the use of cosmetics would be extremely small.

Internationally Cosmetics are tightly regulated.

In the European Union counties cosmetics are manufactured under the Cosmetic Directive which specifies what dyes and ingredients may be used and at what levels those ingredients are permitted. In lipsticks this is particularly restrictive.

In the US Cosmetics are just as tightly governed under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the responsibility to take action if it finds a product to be unsafe and has abundant legal authority to do so. The FDA routinely conducts studies and tests to ensure the safety of all cosmetic products.

In New Zealand our imported cosmetics are required to adhere to the same rules as the EU and US requirements. Locally manufactured cosmetic products because they are also exported to those markets, must equally adhere and manufacture to the highest safety rules set internationally.

Cosmetics are safe products that millions of consumers use and enjoy every day. It is alarmist and irresponsible to suggest otherwise. Download a copy of the CTFA position statement in pdf

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