Loreal linked to Lead: Is it really worth it

Back in 2007, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, found some cosmetics (including Loreal, Dior, and Covergirl) contained lead in some lipsticks.  Though the lead content levels might not be drastically high -  the possibility is definitely there.  Lead is defined as a potent neurotoxin and linked to numerous other health and reproductive problems—and it doesn't belong in lipstick.

July 17, 2008 ABC News

Cosmetics giant L'Oreal USA sold products overseas containing potentially carcinogenic chemicals, falsely advertised products containing animal-derived ingredients as "100 percent vegan," and failed to comply with regulatory laws, according to a lawsuit filed by the company's former regulatory affairs director.

Jerome Chevallier claims he was fired after he complained to his superiors about allegedly unlawful activities. He says the company sold Maybelline products in South America that contain carcinogenic chemicals, and that company management deleted formulae -- for products allegedly containing illegal levels of a preservative -- from internal computers, to avoid scrutiny from company regulators.

None of the products were being sold in the United States, and the chemicals allegedly used by L'Oreal USA are not banned in this country. Chevallier, formerly head of regulatory affairs for the U.S. branch of the French company, and his lawyer declined to comment or elaborate on the claims made in the lawsuit.   *** 

Chevallier's lawsuit claims that L'Oreal sold Maybelline products in South America containing dibutyl phthalate, "a material banned in those countries for its carcinogenicity and risks to reproduction."

Though the chemical is legal in the United States, it has been banned in Europe, and L'Oreal publicly said in 2005 that it would stop using it.  The lawsuit also claims that L'Oreal ignored its own policies by selling products in Europe that contain a refrigerant; sold deodorant containing "banned" Triclosan, an anti-microbial agent, despite public statements that it would no longer use the chemical; and falsely advertised its PureOlogy brand as "100 percent vegan," even though the products under that name contained animal-derived ingredients.

Chevallier also claims that products sold in Europe apparently contained unlawful levels of a preservative known as Kathon CG, but that the formulae for the products were removed from the company computer system. Kathon CG, often used in shampoo, has been linked to dermatitis when used at high levels.

Though the Food and Drug Administration prohibits marketing cosmetics that contain poisonous substances, it does not approve cosmetics before they are sold and cannot, by itself, order a recall, according to the FDA Web site.

While there's no way to test your lipsticks for lead (not even the urban legend), here are just a few lipsticks that tested positive for lead last year: L’Oreal Colour Riche “True Red” – 0.65 ppm, L’Oreal Colour Riche “Classic Wine” – 0.58 ppm, Cover Girl Incredifull Lipcolor “Maximum Red” – 0.56 ppm and Dior Addict “Positive Red” – 0.21 ppm.

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