Study: Lead is in hundreds of lipsticks

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A new study from the federal government shows hundreds of lipsticks contain lead.

The study, done by the Food and Drug Administration, actually found 400 lipsticks have trace amounts of lead in them. The FDA is saying the amount of lead found in lipsticks is so low it’s not a health risk, but some consumer groups say any amount of lead is dangerous.

The two brands that tested the highest are L'Oreal and Maybelline. The one with the highest amount of lead is Maybelline Color Sensational Pink Petal by L'Oreal USA, which tested 7 parts per million. Right now the FDA has no official rules for lead in cosmetics, but it does have a limit of 20 parts per million for color additives put in the makeup.

The consumer group Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has been pushing the FDA to act for years. The group did its own test in 2007. All of the lipsticks came well under the FDA's limit, but were higher than what the government allows in hard candy.

The least contaminated was made by the cheapest brand — Wet N' Wild — which shows price has nothing to do with the lead.

The FDA says lipsticks are safe, however, large quantities of lead can lead to headache, memory loss and stomach pains.