According to a latest study carried out by Consumer Education and Research Society (CERS), Ahmedabad, several famous lipstick brands were found to be rich in lead content. Some intriguing results were that the juicy reds were less venomous than the somber browns and the low priced lipsticks possessed less lead than the top brands.

The CERS tested 46 varieties of lipsticks in the laboratory that comprised 43 shades of 19 extensively used brands, and three lip glosses, all of which contained lead pollutants. The lipsticks costing Rs. 10 had lead content varying from 2 particles per million (ppm) to 17 ppm. The lipsticks costing over Rs. 100 possessed 11 ppm to 23 ppm of lead.

Of the varieties examined, Ivovi 10 (brown) showed 25 parts per million (ppm) and Lakme D414 (red) 23 ppm which is more than the acceptable limit of 20 ppm by Bureau of Indian Standard.

Other 30 varieties had a lead level over 10 ppm. In the 16 varieties of brown lipsticks analyzed, the lead content varied from 7 ppm to 25 ppm and 20 varieties of red shades tested had lead levels from 4 ppm to 23 ppm while Maybelline 09 Water Shine Liquid Diamond lipgloss contained the highest amongst lipglosses at 12 ppm.

The report says, “There is no safe lead exposure for humans. Lead is a neurotoxin causing learning, language and behavioral problems. Exposure to lead also develops infertility and miscarriage. Pregnant women and young children are particularly vulnerable to lead exposure”.