Trace metals in lipsticks

Cosmetics still retain their glittering appeal, but public concern about their toxicity has become a hot issue. Trace amounts of toxic metals can be either intentionally added to cosmetics or present as impurities in the raw materials. We therefore assessed the levels of lead, cadmium, nickel, chromium, mercury, antimony, and arsenic in 14 brands of lipstick (28 samples) that are widely available in local Saudi markets. This study found that the levels of all metals were generally lower than the specifications of the US Food and Drug Administration for metallic impurities in color additives used in cosmetics. Only one brand of lipstick exceeded the specifications, containing levels of arsenic higher than 3 ppm. Also, the levels of nickel and chromium contents in 10 and 4 of the 28 lipsticks, respectively, were above 1 ppm, the trigger limit of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Despite the metallic contents in lipsticks being below the acceptable limits for impurities in color additives used in the cosmetic industry, safer limits should be seriously considered, especially for those causing ACD.