Friday, January 10, 2014

Toxic metals at dangerous levels found in lipstick and lip gloss---study

Image Source: greenlivingonline.com

“I entered the cosmetics industry because I wanted more women to use cosmetics made with safe, healthful ingredients.”—Gloria Swanson, actress, clothes designer, and founder of Essence of Nature Cosmetics.

If Gloria Swanson were alive today, she would have been one of the active advocates of a healthy lifestyle, especially when it comes to cosmetics use.

Image Source: nytimes.com

Makeup is a crucial touch in projecting an attractive persona, but only when it doesn’t damage the skin or the body. Unfortunately, some researchers at the University of California conducted an analysis of the contents of lipstick and lip gloss. They detected toxic metals like lead, cadmium, chromium, aluminum, and five others at levels that could be significantly harmful to users.

The study’s lead author, S. Katharine Hammond, professor of environmental health sciences, says: "Just finding these metals isn't the issue; it's the levels that matter."

"Some of the toxic metals are occurring at levels that could possibly have an effect in the long term," Hammond adds.

Image Source: ktbs.com

The researchers emphasize that although other cosmetic products may also contain metals at dangerous levels, lipsticks and glosses raise the alarm because they are often absorbed into the skin and swallowed. On this note, the study proponents classify those who repeatedly apply lip color and gloss within the day as excessive users who risk an 87-milligram ingestion of these metals daily.

Pausing and thinking before puckering up for rouge or taking care to choose reputable and reliable brands are sensible moves to avoid long-term effects not just on the skin, but more so on the body’s overall condition.

Be wary of what you put on your skin. Read more related stories by following this Lift and Glow Pro Twitter account.

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