Are you wearing leaded lipstick?  If this question has you clueless, it is time to take a closer look at the ingredients in your lipstick.  A study from The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that 400 popular brands of lipstick contain traces of lead.  Exposure to lead, even in small amounts, can cause serious health problems.

Check the list to see if you wear a lethal lipstick.  The worst offenders included:

  • Maybelline’s Color Sensation in Pink Petal
  • L’Oreal Colour Riche in Volcanic
  • Nars in Red Lizard
  • Cover Girl Queen Collection in Ruby Remix

According to the Mayo Clinic, even a small amount of lead exposure can cause irreversible damage in brain development.  Higher levels of exposure can damage the kidneys and nervous system in both children and adults.  Very high levels of lead exposure may cause seizures and possibly death.

The FDA states that they do not consider the lead levels in lipstick to be a safety concern and poses no threat to consumers.  However,the use of lead-based paints for homes, children’s toys, and household furniture has been banned in the United States since 1978 because of the health risks of lead exposure.




The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),  states that no amount of lead is safe for children and that exposure in both children and pregnant women should be prevented.  Has your child ever played with your lipstick?

Never take it for granted that a product is safe just because it is sold in stores.  It is important to research products and their ingredients before assuming their safety.  Visit SafeCosmetics.org for a reliable resource when investigating your beauty products.