Love the lipstick — Is that lead you're wearing?
Heavy metal proves non-toxic in cosmetics, despite spam e-mail warnings
Jenny Boyce, Enterprise Reporter
Issue date: 11/27/07 Section: News
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Paula Begoun, known as the "Cosmetics Cop" for her books and Web site, http://www.cosmeticscop.com, examined these claims of potentially toxic lipsticks.
Begoun said in a press release and on her Web site that the Safe Cosmetics' report "incorrectly states that lipstick is ingested like candy. It mentions the FDA's 0.01 parts per million limit for lead in candy, and that no such safety limits exist for lipstick. What's missing is that women aren't eating lipsticks in the same manner they do candy or food."
The amount of lipstick ingested is minuscule compared to what comes off on coffee cups and other objects, Begoun said.
"Without question, lead is a harmful substance; however, there is simply no proof that the tiny amount that may be in some lipsticks is causing harm," she said.
Lewis agreed with the Begoun on the small amount of lipstick ingested, but understands the cause for concern.
"Everyone's scared because of all these lead findings, but this is different than it being found in toys for children or pets," said Lewis.
"Adults make the choice of whether to use that product or not, and I don't apply lipstick that excessively either. It doesn't seem likely that very much of it could be ingested — not by adults."
Begoun said in a press release and on her Web site that the Safe Cosmetics' report "incorrectly states that lipstick is ingested like candy. It mentions the FDA's 0.01 parts per million limit for lead in candy, and that no such safety limits exist for lipstick. What's missing is that women aren't eating lipsticks in the same manner they do candy or food."
The amount of lipstick ingested is minuscule compared to what comes off on coffee cups and other objects, Begoun said.
"Without question, lead is a harmful substance; however, there is simply no proof that the tiny amount that may be in some lipsticks is causing harm," she said.
Lewis agreed with the Begoun on the small amount of lipstick ingested, but understands the cause for concern.
"Everyone's scared because of all these lead findings, but this is different than it being found in toys for children or pets," said Lewis.
"Adults make the choice of whether to use that product or not, and I don't apply lipstick that excessively either. It doesn't seem likely that very much of it could be ingested — not by adults."





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leadlipstick.com
posted 11/28/07 @ 6:06 AM EST
On a daily use basis, especially in younger girls, lead in lipsticks could be a real cause for concern
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