Important facts about lead in lipstick:

• 61% of brand-name lipsticks recently tested contain lead
• the average American woman consumes (ingests) 4 lbs of lipstick over the course of her lifetime
• The US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not regulate the level of lead in lipstick
• Many lead-containing lipsticks have more lead in them than is allowable in candy
• It is almost impossible for the human body to dispose of or break down lead. It accumulate in body tissues over time, so even a small amount, over time, can pose health risks
• Lead is a neurotoxin - it damages brain and nerve cells
• Lead poses a particular risk to pregnant women, since it can cross the placenta into the fetus and cause developmental problems

Lipsticks tested to have the highest levels of lead (above 0.1ppm lead levels):

1. L'Oréal Colour Riche "True Red"
2. L'Oréal Colour Riche "Classic Wine"
3. Cover Girl Incredifull Lipcolor "Maximum Red"
4. Cover Girl Continuous Color "Cherry Brandy
5. Dior Addict "Positive Red"
6. Maybelline NY Moisture Extreme Cocoa Plum
7. Maybelline NY Moisture Extreme Midnight Red
8. Peacekeeper Paint Me Compassionate
9. Maybelline NY Moisture Extreme Scarlet Simmer

Safe lipsticks (less that 0.02ppm lead levels):

1. Avon Ultra Color Rich Cherry Jubilee
2. Body Shop Lip Colour Garnet
3. Clinique Long Last Lipstick Merlot
4. Dior Replenishing Lipcolor Red Premiere
5. Estee Lauder Maraschino
6. MAC Matte Lipstick Viva Glam 1
7. Revlon Superlustrous Love That Red
8. Revlon Superlustrous Bed of Roses
9. Revlon Colorstay Lipcolor Red Velvet
10. Tarte Inside Out Vitamin Lipstick
11. Wet N Wild Mega Colors Cherry Blossom

Source: Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

Read the full document here: "A Poison Kiss"

Note that there is not a current recall of lipstick.

• If you would like to add your name to a petition demanding that the FDA institute a recall, please visit this site.
• Latest feed of recalls from the FDA.
• Contact L'Oreal to ask them to reformulate their lipsticks without lead-containing compounds.

There was an urban myth circulating around a few years ago that said that you could determine if a lipstick had high levels of lead by smearing it into your palm, rubbing a gold ring on it, and see if it turned black. That was a myth, and it has been debunked.

Part of the myth was that lipsticks had dangerous & illegal levels of lead, too. This too was a myth. The lead levels are within the confines for coloring substances (pigments) set by the FDA. However, with what we know about lead and its toxicity, how much is actually consumed, and the fact that no level of lead is truly safe, it's worth arguing that no lead at all should be detectable in lipstick. The figures above prove that you can make lipstick with lead below detectable levels.

At the end of the day, it's up to you to decide whether or not the FDA-allowable levels of lead in lipstick are acceptable to you or not.