More bad news about lead: It is in 61% of name brand lipsticks! The $50 billion cosmetic industry largely regulates itself, and the FDA has not set a limit on  lead levels in lipstick. Thank goodness we have the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the Environmental Working Group to keep us informed.According to Enviroblog:

One-third of the tested lipsticks exceeded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s limit for lead in candy — a standard established to protect children from directly ingesting lead. Lipstick products, like candy, are directly ingested into the body. Nevertheless, the FDA has not set a limit for lead in lipstick, which makes sense when one considers the disturbing absence of FDA regulatory oversight and enforcement capacity for the personal care products industry.

There’s lead in candy! Who would have thought that possible? Why wouldn’t lipstick also be regulated? It goes directly on your lips! How many times has your daughter asked for lipstick or has Grandma dolled her up in her favorite lip shade? It is also alarming to think that pregnant women are putting lead on their lips, since “it’s a proven neurotoxin that can cause learning, language and behavioral disabilities. No amount of exposure is without harm.” Lead does cross through the placenta and affect the developing fetus.I’ve never been one for wearing lipstick, but I have found a few alternatives for my daughter. Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmers offer many colors and a cool mint flavor (see Wendy’s comment below about lead in the merlot shade). Dr. Hauschka Lipsticks also offer a safe alternative for women. You can browse EWG’s list of safe lipsticks here.You can download the full report on name-brand lipsticks here.Image courtesy of Campaign for Safe Cosmetics