February 22, 2012 8:27:43 AM GMT
Why should I care????
The Daily Mail yesterday (21-02-2012) highlighted the use of lead and heavy metals in lipsticks,mascara etc. I did wonder if this was just the DM "scare mongering" so I have done some research - back to the originators of the information Environmental Defence in Canada, who first published their findings May 2011. And then I looked at other sources in depth as well.
Why is this important? Does this affect me and if so how? Am I in any danger from using cosmetics?
I have tried below to sift through the "hype" and get to the reality and give you some reasonable advice. Clearly if you as an occasional or heavy user of cosmetics are concerned - whether you live in the UK, North America or anywhere else - you should look for a range of "eco cosmetics", and spend some time for yourself looking at what you use. And how long you keep it - but shelf life of cosmetics is another issue.
How come I can give any constructive advice on this issue? FYI I worked in the plastics industry (as my drab part) for many years; this was in the marketing side, but did involve understanding the use, or non use, of toxic and potentially toxic additives and compounds, both in formulations and in actual end uses. For example, plastics is the largest single user of pigments (or colorants) and heavy metals were banned back in the 1970s in Western Europe. Heavy metals include cadmiums which are typically used to create bright reds, as for example in lipsticks or the red in Lego bricks. It is NOT actually used in either..in the case of Lego they raised the banning of cadmiums back in the 1960s!!!!
I have given at the bottom of this page all the links I found - The DM, E Max Health, NJ.com which lists the Top 10 L'Oreal lead containing lipsticks in the USA (Maybelline is made in New Jersey), Cosmetics Info which gives a full list of all ingredients, and finally Environmental Defence Canada who started the whole thing. I did not include anything from the FDA as that is mainly concerned with labeling - the testing is a separate issue, and its not simple to find what is actually tested (without spending a day or two on this).
How does this affect me you are asking? I am a Tgirl who paints her face now and then, or even every day...so am I at risk?
1. If you ever use an old fashioned product like kohl (eyeliner) - yes. The FDA has issued an alert for that - see section in cosmeticsinfo.org for details. But most of us do not use kohl and use more conventional eyeliners which are not deemed harmful.
2. Will the lead in the lipstick poison me and give me anything nasty? From all the reading I have done in the past 24 hours - NO. The lead present is there in trace quantities in some of the earths used in making lipsticks and ends up in the lipstick in varying quantities (but still well below acceptable levels of safe use). If you are worried then check the levels in the L'Oreal lippy for the appropriate levels - see nj.com (link below).
3. If you want to know what is in the cosmetics you use - then look at cosmeticsinfo.org. It gives you all the chemicals and products that are used.
4. Am I safe using the cosmetics I currently use? Yes. But if you have any doubts then look at "eco" cosmetics and check for yourself the ingredients.
In conclusion I have tried to make you aware that there is a potential risk; but that in my view the risks are minimal. For each of you who use cosmetics you have to weigh up the risks for yourselves. That's not me doing a "Pontius Pilate", rather me saying that you have to make your own choices, and that I have tried to inform you as best as I can of the potential risks.
I hope there is some lively debate and if you want more detail please let me know.
hugs
Pauline xxxxx
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2104453/Cadmium-mascara-lead-lipstick-arsenic-eyeliner-The-ugly-secrets-beauty-industry-isn-t-telling-you.html
http://www.emaxhealth.com/1275/beauty-secrets-mean-lead-lipstick-arsenic-eyeliner
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/02/loreal_defends_safety_of_its_l.html
http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/products.php?category_id=3
http://environmentaldefence.ca/reports/heavy-metal-hazard-health-risks-hidden-heavy-metals-in-face-makeup
