Lead in Lipstick-Are the Claims True?

A lot has been said about lead lately. It is showing up in our kid’s toys (doesn’t that just infuriate you?) and now an advocacy group says it is tainting our lipstick supply as well.

So, are the claims true?

The FDA will find out.

Apparently this has been going around for quite some time. Just check out www.snopes.com and type in lead in lipstick.

Similar claims have not been confirmed in the past.

At this time, the group is stating that certain companies, including the ever popular Cover Girl and Maybelline, (read article for more information) have been found to use more lead than is safe in their red lipsticks. Pretty scary, considering lipstick is on our, well, lips, which means it is probably swallowed unintentionally on a regular basis. In addition, my three year old loves to play dress up, and we have coated her lips with various colors in the past.

While the verdict is out right now regarding whether or not the amount of lead found in lipsticks is too high, it certainly warrants raising concerns, especially with the recent explosion of lead found in various items.

For the time being, I’ll be ditching my commercial brands of makeup and heading to the natural market to purchase natural brands. I’ve been using Burt’s Bees products, and I like them a lot, though the one lipstick that I have-while I love the color-does have somewhat of a strange (though not necessarily bad) aftertaste.

If you are currently using some great products that are all natural, please let me know.

In the meantime, I’ll scoop up some brands in the store during my next visit and compare both the cost and the way that they look and taste.

And when we hear back from the FDA, I’ll be sure to post more!