(Read the entry “Lead in Lipstick — Part I” for the intro to the story.)

So, we got the bad news today that our cherished red lipsticks contain lead. So what? What’s the problem?

At least that’s the response from L’Oreal Group, leader of the pack on the lead list (with no shades on the lead-free list). According to the Boston Globe, L’Oreal tells us not to worry:

“Each and every ingredient used in our products has been thoroughly reviewed and tested by our internal safety team made up of toxicologists, clinicians, pharmacists, and physicians,” the statement read. “All the brands of the L’Oreal Group are in full compliance with FDA regulations . . . and the requirements for safety in the more than 130 countries in which our products are sold.”

Sounds like a good answer: L’Oreal is “in full compliance with FDA regulations.” The problem: there are NO FDA regulations regarding the lead content of lipstick. A tube of lipstick could be 100% lead and technically not be in violation of any FDA regulation. (For further details see “A Poison Kiss–The Problem of Lead in Lipsticks,” the report published by The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.)

In healthy adults, low-level lead exposure is not considered harmful; however, lead in the body builds up over time, and in combination with other conditions, is certainly not good. As for children and pregnant women (lead passes through the placenta quite easily), there is no such thing as a safe amount of lead exposure.

The picture at the beginning of this entry (from “A Poision Kiss”) says it all.  If lead on toys is a danger to children, then how much more so is lead in lipstick.  Yet, no lipstick recall is pending.

So, what can we do?

I’ll summarize The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics’ call to action in my next entry.