Once upon a time, not that long ago, women applied lead laced powder to their faces and necks to give them a pale complexion. At the time we didn't know the dangers of lead and many women died very young from lead poisoning as a result. But two hundred years later we know better, right?? Scientists far and wide agree on the dangers of lead, the FDA has regulated that food products can not contain more than .1 ppm lead to keep children safe from lead poisoning, the health department regularly screens for lead poisoning and you can even get government assistance to have lead paint and pipes replaced in your home. So everyone agree lead is dangerous. Well, apparently everyone but Dior Addict, L'Oreal, and Cover Girl.
In a recent study put out by the Environmental Working Group 61% of the 33 brands of red lipstick they tested for lead contained detectable levels of lead, with levels ranging from 0.03 to 0.65 ppm. None of these lipsticks listed lead as an ingredient. One-third of the tested lipsticks exceeded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's 0.1 ppm limit for lead in candy.(Sidenote: the FDA does not regulate cosmetics)
Among the top brands testing positive for lead were:
-L'Oreal Colour Riche "True Red" – 0.65 ppm
-L'Oreal Colour Riche "Classic Wine" – 0.58 ppm
-Cover Girl Incredifull Lipcolor "Maximum Red" – 0.56 ppm
-Dior Addict "Positive Red" – 0.21 ppm
Lead is a proven neurotoxin, it causes brain damage that can present as learning, language and behavioral problems, lowered IQ, and increased aggression. Pregnant women need to be especially careful, as lead pass the placenta barrier and can be extremely damaging for a developing baby. Lead has also been linked to infertility and miscarriage.
"Lead builds up in the body over time and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant exposure levels. The latest studies show there is no safe level of lead exposure," said Mark Mitchell, M.D., MPH, president, Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice.
Glamour magazine’s June 2002 “Beauty Quickie Tip” repeats a commonly quoted statistic, “Women inadvertently (but harmlessly) eat about 4 lbs of lipstick”
in a lifetime.Science shows that no level of lead is “harmless.”
So while everyone is up in arms over the toys from China and their lead content, who is crying FOUL to the cosmetic industry with their MADE IN THE USA lead products??!!
The symptoms of lead poisoning may include:
* Irritability
* Aggressive behavior
* Low appetite and energy
* Difficulty sleeping
* Headaches
* Reduced sensations
* Loss of previous developmental skills (in young children)
* Anemia
* Constipation
* Abdominal pain and cramping (usually the first sign of a high, toxic dose of lead poison)
* Very high levels may cause vomiting, staggering gait, muscle weakness, seizures, or coma
post script: I looked through the complete list of companies with lead in their lipstick and I was flabbergasted to see Burts Bees in their report, this company touts it's self as 99% natural. Their website says this "To us, achieving The Greater Good means creating a world where people have the information and tools they need to make the highest ethical choices and do the best for themselves, their family and the environment. That's no short order, but it is attainable. We've started with a strong and on-going commitment to a set values and activities that support the well-being of people and our planet."
There will likely be more on this later as I investigate them being bought by AEA investors....
if you're as pissed about this as I am write to
John Replogle
633 Davis Drive 600
Morrisville, NC 27560-6884
Po Box 13489
Durham, NC 27709-3489
(919) 998-5200
If you can find an email address for John Replogle President & CEO, Tony Quartararo Executive VP of Operations or Jesus Osuna Director of Manufacturing I would appreciate a heads up.
Get the full PDF report at
A Poison Kiss
