Companies that produce makeup and other personal care products profit billions of dollars from their sales annually.

As new products arise every single day,  they hit the shelves before the United States government tests them.

Therefore, even if you are struggling to consume drinks and foods free of chemicals, and use toxin-free household cleaners, you might still be exposed to such negative influence, from the makeup you use.

Have you even thought about reading the labels of your makeup products, like your shampoo, lipstick, deodorant, and other personal care products? Apparently, they are loaded with various chemicals.

Namely, the application of lipstick several times daily might expose you to high amounts of lead, which might be ingested or absorbed through the skin.

The testing conducted by the Canada-based Environmental Defense group involved 49 different makeup items, and the findings were revealed in a report under the title“Heavy Metal Hazard: The Health Risks of Hidden Heavy Metals In Face Makeup.” The 49 different makeup items included:

14 eye shadows, 8 lipsticks or glosses, 5 blushes or bronzers, 7 mascaras, 5 foundations, 4 concealers, 4 powders, and 2 eyeliners.

The analysis showed that almost all products contained serious heavy metal contamination, as 96% contained lead, 90% contained beryllium, 61% contained thallium, 51% contained cadmium, and 20% contained arsenic.

The even more disturbing news is that most of the products contained an average of 4 out of the 8 metals tested, and each product contained an average of 2 of the 4 toxic metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. These metals cause severe health side-effects.

The FDA report from a couple of years ago listed 400 different lipsticks that contained trace amounts of lead. Even though it was stated that these amounts were low, and they did not pose a safety concern, Dr. Mark Mitchell, co-chairman of the Environmental Health Task Force for the National Medical Association, claims that

“Lead builds in the body over time and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day can add up to significant exposure levels.”

Another study conducted in Canada showed that 51% of the analyzed products contained cadmium, which is a known carcinogenic material. It has been found in breast cancer biopsies.

The major concern is that these metals do not cause severe side-effects right away, but the issues develop over time, and raise the risk of reproductive disorders, cancer, and numerous health issues.

The following list contains the lipsticks you should avoid at all costs:

1. Avon Beyond Color (#558 Mad for Mauve),
2. Revlon Super Lustrous Peal (#643 Satin Plum)
3. L’Oreal Intensely Moisturizing Lipcolor (#748 Heroic),
4. Maybelline Color Sensational (#125 Pink Petal),
5. NARS Semi-Matte (#1005 Red Lizard),
6. CoverGirl Queen Collection Vibrant Hues (#580 Ruby Remix),
7. L’Oreal Colour Riche (#410 Volcanic),
8. Maybelline Color Sensation (#475 Mauve Me),
9. NARS Semi-Matte (#1009 Funny Face),
10. L’Oreal Colour Riche (#165 Tickled Pink),
11. Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer (Toffee),
12. Stargazer Lipstick (#103c),
13. Revlon Matte (#009 Fabulous Fig),
14. Sonia Kashuk Luxury Lip Color (#27 Mauvey),
15. L’Oreal Endless (#530 Mauve Amour),
16. Revlon ColorStay (#375 Ripened Red),
17. Revlon Super Lustrous Peal (#631 Luminous Pink),
18. CoverGirl Continuous Color (#025 Warm Brick),

On the other hand, the following list contains some safer lipstick alternatives:

• Organic Infused Lip Love Lipstick,
• Rejuva Minerals Pur Lips Lipstick
• Bella Mari Pure Mineral Lipstick,
• Coastal Classic Creations Canyon Lipstick,
• W3ll People Extreme Lip Gloss,
• Isoi Bulgarian Rose Lip Treatment Balm,
• Maia’s Mineral Galaxy Lipstick.

The following video will reveal some interesting lead-free lipstick ideas:

Source: www.davidwolfe.com
Other included sources linked in David Wolfe’s article:
The Hearty Soul
Environmental Defense
Society of Cosmetic Chemists
FDA Franchise Help
Business Wire Environmental Health Perspectives
CBC News