Killing Us Softly

The products that we practically use every day are “killing us softly” And worst, some of these products are just lurking in our lips!

According to Yahoo news, Reuters recently released a list of lipsticks tested by the Food and Drug Administration that contain some traces of lead.

So could it be the kiss of death?

Lead is allowed to be ingested on some cosmetics provided the manufacturers followed the required level set by FDA. Safety limit is 4.0 ppm.

Although FDA released a statement assuring the public that the lead levels in lipsticks are not threatening, some health groups disagreed with this statement arguing that lead accumulates in the body over time. Lead poisoning is a serious matter and it poses several health risks to people that may even result to death.

Here are the lipsticks tested by FDA that contain extra amount of lead:

1. Maybelline Color Sensational, Pink Petal (7.9 ppm)

2. L'Oreal Colour Riche, Volcanic, (7.0 ppm)

3. NARS Semi-Matte, Red Lizard (4.93 ppm)

4. Cover Girl Queen Collection, Ruby Remix, (4.92 ppm)

5. Nars Semi-Matte, Funny Face (4.89 ppm)

6. L'Oreal Colour Riche, Tickled Pink (4.45 ppm)

7. L'Oreal Intensely Moisturizing Lipcolor, Heroic (4.41 ppm)

8. Cover Girl Continuous Color, Warm Brick (4.28 ppm)

9. Maybelline Color Sensational, Mauve Me (4.23 ppm)

10. Stargazer Lipstick, #103 (4.12 ppm)

So what are the lipstick brands that are safer to use and would not kill us slowly? The Daily Green, a consumer guide to green and healthy living, released a copy of the list of Lead-Free lipsticks tested in 2007.

Here are the 11 Lead-Free Lipsticks:

1. Avon Ultra Color Rich Cherry Jubilee

2. The Body Shop Lip Color Garnet

3. Clinique Long Last Lipstick Merlot

4. Dior Replenishing Lip Color Red Premiere

5. Estee Lauder Maraschino

6. MAC Matte Lipstick Viva Glam 1

7. Revlon Superlustrous Love That Read

8. Revlon Superlustrous Bed of Roses

9. Revlon Colorstray Lipcolor Red Velvet

10. Tarte Inside Out Vitamin Lipstick

11. Wet ‘n Wild Mega Colors Cherry Blossom

The truth is, harsh chemicals cannot be avoided, well, not unless you want to make your own skincare products like handcrafted soap, shampoo and lotion, but as long as you are buying commercial products, the dangerous chemicals are always present and the fear of acquiring long term chronic illnesses that may cut short the life span is highly probable. The best thing to do is take precautions and be careful with the brand you are using. Make a research (about the product) before purchasing them.

Sources: Yahoo News
               The Daily Green