Toxic Beauty. Are Cosmetics Harmful to our Health?

Dr Ipsita Mazumdar; Prof Krishnajyoti Goswami

Volume : VI, Issue : V, May - 2016

Toxic Beauty. Are Cosmetics Harmful to our Health?

Dr Ipsita Mazumdar, Prof Krishnajyoti Goswami

Abstract :

The routes of entry of heavy metals like lead (Pb) includes some cosmetics, especially color cosmetics like lipsticks. Pb toxicity induced by lipsticks affect the women using them, the unborn fetus, if used in pregnancy, and infants, when used during lactation. This study aims to determine Pb content in lipstick ands sold across Indian markets, and attempts to quantify whether and how far they exceed the maximum permissible limit approved by FDA. The samples were processed by wet digestion method and analysis was done by Flame Emission Spectrophotometry. Study shows an alarmingly higher Pb level in all the samples tested. The lead concentrations in various lipstick colors, in decreasing order are– Brown> Pink> Purple> Maroon> Red. Continuous use of these cosmetics could result in an increase in toxic metal levels beyond permissible limits. Therefore, effort should be made towards enlightening the users and the distributors of the health risks involved.