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By Katja Heino Leave a Comment
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Heavy Metals in Lipstick: Is this Safe?

lipstick, non-toxic lipstick, lead, chemicals

Is your lipstick toxic?  Lead and other dangerous heavy metals are being found in popular commercial brands of lipstick.  What’s up with that?

I will be the first to admit that I love a good lipstick.  Nothing better than a luscious pair of lips.  But at what cost?  Is lipstick making us sick?

Researchers at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health published a study in 2013 that detected lead, cadmium, chromium, aluminum and five other metals in many popular brands of lipsticks and lip glosses commonly found in drugstores and department stores.  Heavy metals in lipstick?

“Just finding these metals isn’t the issue; it’s the levels that matter,” said study principal investigator S. Katharine Hammond, professor of environmental health sciences. “Some of the toxic metals are occurring at levels that could possibly have an effect in the long term.”

The study goes on the analyze the health risks of using these cosmetics on a daily basis.  It is estimated that an average lipstick user ingests about  24 milligrams of lip makeup per day, while a heavy user who reapplies several times a day ingests up to 87 milligrams ingested per day.  The study determined that an average use of lipsticks and lip glosses would result in excessive exposure to chromium, a carcinogen linked to stomach tumors. Higher use could result in overexposure to aluminum, cadmium and manganese as well.  High levels of manganese has been linked to toxicity in the nervous system.

The study also noted that children are especially susceptible to heavy metal accumulation and should not play with make up.

IS THIS SAFE?

Currently there are no standards in the United States for metal content in cosmetics.  The Food and Drug Administration has looked into lead in lipstick and found that, generally, the amounts are very low and do not pose any safety concerns. It has not set limits for lead in cosmetics. It’s interesting that the European Union considers cadmium, chromium and lead to be unacceptable ingredients – at any level – in cosmetic products.

In 2007 The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics randomly purchased more than 30 lipsticks in four cities and sent them to a lab for lead testing.  The study found that 20 out of the 30 lipsticks contained lead, with the highest levels found in products made by L’Oreal, Cover Girl and Christian Dior. Unfortunately, studies like these are swept under the rug by claims that the levels found are negligible and do not cause a health threat.  Does that sound right to you?

Since we know that we are ingesting much of the lipstick and lip glosses that we are applying, we can only assume that these heavy metals will slowly accumulate in our bodies.  Common sense tells us that this is never a good thing.

HEALTH RISKS OF HEAVY METALS

  • Lead accumulation in the body can negatively affect the nervous system, immune system and the kidneys.  Lead poisoning is difficult to diagnose as it can manifest in may ways including fatigue, insomnia, fertility issues, headache and joint pain, loss of appetite, and irritability.  Children as especially susceptible to lead poisoning.
  • Cadmium exposure has been linked to kidney damage and possibly also bone effects and fractures.
  • Arsenic exposure has been linked to increased risks of skin, bladder, liver, and lung cancer.
  • Mercury toxicity is known to cause damage and disruption to the nervous system.  Chronic poisoning is characterized by neurological and psychological symptoms, such as tremor, changes in personality, restlessness, anxiety, sleep disturbance and depression.
  • Manganese exposure has been linked to nervous system issues and can cause learning difficulties, behavioral changes, brain injury, and slow and clumsy movements.

HOW TO CHOOSE A SAFE LIPSTICK?

1. Do Your Research

Visit the Environmental Working Group’s SkinDeep website to check out harmful ingredients in your cosmetics at EWG’s SkinDeep: Cosmetics Database.  Check out The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics to to learn more about toxic chemicals in make up.  You can also download Heavy Metal Hazard: The Health Risks of Hidden Heavy Metals in Face Makeup to read about specific brands and types of beauty products that have been tested.

2. Make Your Own

I love DIY beauty recipes.  Did you know that you can make your own DIY Non-Toxic Lip Gloss?  You can also check out this Homemade Lipstick Recipe that you can customize for color.

3. Buy a Non-Toxic Brand

I’ve tried a few different brands of non-toxic lipsticks, and my personal favorite is definitely by Beautycounter.  Beautycounter is an up and coming cosmetic company whose mission is to get safe products into the hands of everyone.  With their ultra-strict screen process for ingredients, they are becoming the leader in creating safe personal care products for families.  And the stuff works!  I not only use their lipsticks, I use their facial cleaner, exfoliator, and sunscreen as well.

Here’s my favorite lip products from Beautycounter:

LIP SHINE: A non-sticky, light lip gloss that goes on smooth and looks amazing.  Use alone or over your favorite lipstick for a bit of dimension.  You can check the Lip Shine out HERE.

LIP SHEER: The ultimate natural lipstick that really works! A formula that feels lightweight yet luxurious on lips while moisturizing and conditioning, too. So many great colors.  My personal favs are NUDE and PETAL.  You can check out the Lip Sheer HERE.

LIP GLOSS: A moisturizing Lip Gloss that goes on smoothly—with no stickiness.  Three great colors: Peony, Buff, and Sienna.  Check out the Lip Gloss HERE.

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heavy metals, lead, lipstick, non-toxic lipstick

Now it’s your turn to talk!  What are your thought about heavy metals in your make up?

Is your skincare safe? | www.savorylotus.com

photo credit : depositphotos @ AndreyPopov

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Filed Under: Healthy Living, Natural Skincare Tagged With: make up, natural beauty, natural skincare, toxic lipstick

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Hi I’m Katja!

And this is how we do healthy in our family. Just REAL food. Simple. Easy. Gluten free. More about Savory Lotus

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weekend dinner inspiration • NEW POST: LEMON HER weekend dinner inspiration • NEW POST: LEMON HERB SPATCHCOCK CHICKEN 🍋🌿 • spatchcock chicken is hands down the quickest + easiest way to cook a whole chicken • if you’ve never tried it, it’s a real game changer • the chicken comes out super moist on the inside and crispy on the outside • always a crowd pleaser 🙌 especially when you add the extra lemon herb pan sauce 

recipe link in bio:
https://www.savorylotus.com/lemon-herb-spatchcock-chicken/
how do you start your day? 💪🏃‍♀️🧘🏽‍♀️🚴🏽‍♂️☕️

mindset mindset mindset 🧠🧠• having a morning routine allows us to set an intention for the day rather then just letting the day run away from us • it helps determine our mind set and the tone for the rest of the day ✨✨

things like meditation, journaling, yoga, exercise, and other self-care practices can help us start the day feeling calm and inspired 🧘🏻 • consciously selecting the thoughts we have, the foods we eat , and the news/social media/images we see matters • a solid morning routine can reduce stress, boost energy, increase mental clarity, and leave us feeling 🤩

creating a morning routine looks different for us all • routine comes easier for some than others • we all have different priorities, time limits, physical needs/abilities, and health concerns there • are no rules • find what works for you 

i know that i feel better when i stick to my morning routine • i know that i feel better when i don’t engage with my phone or social media the first hour or two after waking up • i know i feel better when i consciously select what i bring into my head space first thing in the morning, including the thoughts that i have 

my morning routine currently looks like this:  10 minutes of quiet meditation, some form of elimination pathways opening like Gua Sha, coffee e nema, an epsom salts bath, or a sauna, yoga/workout, and a big green juice 🥬🥒🍏

👉👉 do you have a morning routine?  i’d love to hear how you start your day • leave me a comment below ⤵️⤵️
what’s not to love about a fritter? ❤️ • what’s not to love about a fritter? ❤️ •  made a batch of my BUTTERNUT SQUASH FRITTERS this morning • a great way to get more vegetables onto your plate • so good with a plate of fried eggs and steamed kale • made with just a few simple ingredients • don’t skip the fresh herbs 🍀🌱🍀

* butternut squash (about 3 pounds)- peeled and shredded
* eggs, whisked
* 1/2 cup gluten free flour (I used a combo of almond flour and tapioca) 
* 1/4 cup fresh herbs, finely chopped ( any combo of parsley, basil, sage, or cilantro)
* 1/4–1/2 tsp garlic powder
* 1 tsp salt
* ghee or avocado oil for cooking

1. in a large bowl, combine shredded butternut squash, eggs, flour, herbs, garlic powder, and salt.  mix to combine. 
2. in a large skillet, heat a liberal amount of fat of choice over medium high heat.  scoop out 2 tablespoons of mixture into hand, squeeze into a ball, and place into skillet, flattening with the back of a spatula or measuring cup. cook until golden brown.  flip and cook other side.  repeat until mixture is all gone, adding more fat as needed. 
3. place cooked fritters onto a wire rack while cooking the rest.  serve immediately or freeze for later once cooled.
self-care is about creating healthy habits ❤️• having a “self-care” routine before you get sick can keep you healthy 💪 • and it doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming • there are so many ways to care for yourself that are 100% free:
💧 hydration
☀️ sunshine,
🌈 fresh air
🌲 nature
🤸🏼‍♂️ movement
🙏 gratitude
👯 connection
🧘🏽‍♀️ meditation

the body usually gives us signals that something is starting to be out of balance • it’s important that we listen or it can lead to more serious health issues • every day is another chance to start taking care of ourselves 

my self-care routine focuses heavily on detoxification/elimination because i’m in heal mode • my toxic burden bucket 🪣 got too full + it put me over the edge • the liver, kidneys, large intestine, lymphatic system, and sweat glands 💦💦 work hard every day to reduce the build up of environmental contaminants and need regular support to keep functioning optimally • my self-care routine includes:

• infrared sauna for sweating
• Gua Sha to move lymph
• epsom salt baths
• daily movement
• hydration
• cold-pressed juices for nutrition
• coffee enemas
• ozone therapy 
• red light therapy 
• time in nature

don’t wait until you get sick to decide to take care of yourself • you only have this one body and this one precious life • it is NOT normal to feel crappy as we age • let’s change the paradigm and move forward in age with grace + vitality ✨✨• than you, @dr.jess.md for motivating me to take things to the next level
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