Striving4Zen

It took two years, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has finally made good on its promise to conduct its own analysis of lead in lipstick. The results, suffice to say, ain't pretty.

The FDA, which published its analysis in the July/August 2009 issue of the Journal of Cosmetic Science, found lead in all 20 of the lipsticks it tested, with levels ranging fro 0.01 parts per million (ppm) to 3.06ppm—more than four times the highest level of 0.65ppm reported in the groundbreaking 2007 study by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC), which uncovered lead in more than 60% of 33 popular lipsticks.

Although the FDA stated that three manufacturers had the highest levels of lead, it did not disclose any names. (The 2007 CSC report also found a few brands with consistently higher lead levels, including L'Oreal, Maybelline, and Cover Girl.)

In a live Webinar held last week, Malkan noted that 39% of the lipsticks the nonprofit tested had no lead, including a $1.99 tube by Wet 'N Wild. (In contrast, a $24 lipstick from Dior had among the higher levels of lead.) "Of course it can be done," Malkan said. "Companies already know how to make lipstick without lead and that's what they all should be doing."

Read full story....

Labels: lead, lipstick, make-up, study, toxic, toxins

Since we heard the news that some lipsticks contain lead, we've been on a mission to safe-up our makeup -- which is why we love the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database.
They've paired ingredients in 25,000 products against 50 toxicity and regulatory databases -- within seconds you'll know if your beauty booty makes the cut.
You can also keep things simple by avoiding 7 of the most problematic ingredients, as identified by The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics:
Mercury: Often listed as thimerosal. Check: eye drops, ointments and mascaras.
Placenta: Interferes with the body's normal hormone function. Check: hair relaxers, moisturizers and toners.
Lead Acetate: A developmental toxin that's banned in the European Union. Check: hair dyes and cleansers.
Petrochemicals: The byproduct of crude oil appears as petrolatum, mineral oil and paraffin. Check: hair products, anti-aging creams, make up and perfumes.
Phthalates: Dibutyl and diethylhexyl, 2 common types, have been banned in the E.U. Check: nail polishes, fragrances and hair sprays.
Hydroquinone: Possible carcinogen. Check: skin lightening products and moisturizers.
Nanoparticles: Untested particles capable of being absorbed by the bloodstream. Found in some eye shadows, bronzers, sunscreens and lotions.

Labels: chemicals, make-up, skincare

FROM: MUG
SUBJECT: Makeup awards winners
MESSAGE: A list of the products that were CEW Beauty Awards winners.

Labels: beauty, list, make-up, skincare