MIAMI – According to the Food and Drug Administration, traces of lead have been found in 400 popular brands of lipsticks. The top two offenders are Maybelline's "Pink Petal" and L'Oreal's Colour Riche "Volcanic" lipstick, which are still on the shelves at most drug and department stores across the country.
When tested recently by the federal government, analysts confirmed there was a much higher scale of lead found in the lipsticks than previously detected.
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The findings also further complicated an ongoing disagreement between the FDA and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, a consumer group that's been pushing the government for years to set limits for lead levels in lipsticks.
The FDA has resisted, saying the lead levels detected in two rounds of its testing do not pose safety risks.
The lead was found in the color additives in lipstick, which are mineral-based and contain trace levels of lead that is naturally found in the soil and air.
According to the study, the worst offenders were the popular brands L'Oreal and Maybelline. In total, five of these lipsticks were contaminated the most. Cover girl followed close behind.
The brand with the least lead was Wet and Wild Mega Mixer Lip Balm.