The FDA found lead in 22 red lipsticks last year. Every single sample contained the neurotoxin. Cover Girl, L'Oreal and Revlon had the highest levels of lead. Lead content in cosmetics is unregulated by the FDA.
When you consider the fact that the average female will ingest four pounds of lipstick in her life, this is significant. Lead accumulates in the body. And even low levels of lead should be avoided as far as possible.
Lead is dangerous. Some of what we absorb stays with us and we can wind up with lead in our bones. We as women experience major changes in our lives from pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause, and lead in our bones is released during these periods causing our blood levels of lead to increase.
"How much lead is dangerous? The Mayo Clinic says 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter can cause brain damage in children. Lower levels have been linked to developmental delays, aggression, attention and learning problems."
Lip glosses generally contain lower levels of lead than lipsticks. Might be time for a change.
http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20100525/ARTICLES/100529568?p=2&tc=pg