Elanorgold, a reminder - the poison is in the dose.  Lead isn't an 'ingredient' in any of these lipsticks.  It comes from the dyes used.  I do think that companies should make the ingredients that they use readily available.

There's a huge difference between making water pipes and food containers out of lead and having a small amount in lipstick.

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/lipstick.asp

If you're concerned about lead though, then go with one of the other colours/products/brands.

Information regarding allowable limits:

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/legislation/consultation/_cosmet/metal-me...

Thanks for those links Chemgal. So it seems that in Canada heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, mercury and arsenic are prohibited as ingredients, or components of ingredients, but they still occur in lipsticks as "impurities". (Yeah, I'm sure Revlon and L'Oreal etc do their best to get them in if it sells more lipstick)

Health Canada says: It is acknowledged that heavy metal impurities in cosmetic products are unavoidable due to the ubiquitous nature of these elements.

And the allowed limit for lead in cosmetics in Canada is 10 ppm.

It shocked me to learn these things are in lipstick, but the Health Canada article has calmed me down some. Still I don't think it would be a good idea to wear lead containing lipstick when pregnant. True we don't eat the stuff, but it is often completely absorbed.

I don't trust the system though. They work for their own best interests, and taking advantage of us is plan A.

I wonder if they use cochineal in lipstick... that's a beetle that's used as a red dye. Beetle lips...

Yup, looks like they do.

I'm just full of conflicting information for you today!

Cochineal is an insect, but it's not a beetle:

http://membracid.wordpress.com/tag/red-dye/

(I am a fan of bug girl!)

Funny, I always thought it was a beetle. Oh well! I stand corrected.  I'm not actually bothered by it in lipstick oddly enough. At least it's natural!

I found some brands of lipstick that do not contain lead, but I haven't heard of any of them. Health food store brands I think. And I've written to Marcelle to ask.

I heard back from Marcelle today and they appear to have the same levels as the other drug store companies and they forwarded me a letter from the canadian cosmetics assoc. which says the levels allowed are the same as in oraly taken perscription drugs, and stressed that the levels present are not a health concern. Marcelle also stressed their own commitment to providing a healthy product.

So I will freely wear my new shade, and have passed on everything I learned to Mom who got me concerned in the first place.

Funny old world.

I don't know what it is about Moms!  My skeptical (him and Chasen would get along great I think) husband didn't use antiperspirant for years because of concerns about aluminum.  He only got over it because it's next to impossible to find a non-scented deodorant (for my allergies) that works sufficiently (at least for him).

My mom has also brought up a few wacky things.

Well, my mom scares easily, and tends to believe anything that comes along. SHe's also tried the deo crystal and all sorts of health supplements, and she's constantly giving me expensive mascaras that she's tried, sucked in my the advertizing, only to find that she's allergic to that one too. Poor mom, she can't help herself.

Yeah deoderant, I too have been concerned about the aluminum and breast cancer. I used Tom's for years, though it doesn't really work that well. It adds a nice spicey floral scent to one's BO generally, which was fine to me during my most hippy era. Nowadays I am sure to use the real thing when I go out. I spend most my days at home though, so I don't have to use it every day.

I remember in Germany the people used to taunt that we stank of deoderant, while over here we slight the Germans for smelling of BO! And they would call us "chicken legs" for shaving too. That was funny.

For my husband, it wasn't breast cancer, it was the link between aluminum and Alzheimer's disease.

I used unscented Tom's for a while (as I actually can't use antiperspirant anymore), until I became allergic to that too.  I had to laugh about the crystal deodorant for the people scared about aluminum, it's a different aluminum based compound!

Lol! I didn't know that. Major bummer about your allergy.

for incidental lead showing up in things. BALSAMIC VINEGAR!!! Perhaps the soil or the fermenting process.  Guess I won't be chugging it straight from the bottle.

http://www.drgourmet.com/askdrgourmet/balsamicv-lead.shtml

One really has to watch sources for research I found.  You get the big gov't or industrial guys who blow stuff off "Nah it's fine" or on the other hand you get the radical hippe naturalists who think that eveything is going to kill you if you eat one...more...bite.

Sometimes it is difficult to find a balanced factual view,

So true. I just don't know what to think! It's like that about a lot of things. Where do you put your trust. But can't worry too much about it or we make ourselves ill. So I've given in to enjoying my lipstick, and my chocolate bars that come in plastic wrappers. Years ago I wouldn't but anything that didn't come in a recycleable or biodegradeable package. Now I try to be conservative about it, rather than obsessive and purist.

give up chocolate? NNNEEEEVVVVEEERRRRR!!!!

I don't often wear lipstick (maybe 3 or 4 times a year tops) so I am not in any danger there.

On a semi related historical side note: women used to purposefully ingest small doses of lead or arsenic to help with their complexions - it gives the skin a kind of porcelain doll look.

I just read over this thread. I keep meaning to check it out. I am not sure if any of my lipstcks contain lead, or what they contain. I don't own too many lipstcks actually. I have a revlon lipstick, and a maybelline one (I think) right now...and a remel lipgloss wand with a raspberry/ mauvish  tint to it. I read about that awhile ago, was going to buy natural ones...but, alas, just bought what was on sale. In Whole Foods there's a cosmetics section (small selection) of natural cosmetics, but they're expensive.

I recently bought a natural deodorant.. the brand is 'ombra' (made in germany funny enough)...it smells kind of "sporty fresh"...it's gender neutral, and it works pretty well I guess, but sometimes I apply it the morning after a  bath or shower, and if I'm home for a bit, I might apply it again before I go out--just in case it starts to fail while I'm out exerting myself, working up a sweat.  It has a high alcohol content I think, but no aluminum...it's okay, but not my favourite. It works well enough. That said...I started using my partner's old spice before I bought the ombra, and I think I like it better... he uses just the deodorant, not the antiperspirant, so there's no aluminum in it either...and actually I got used to it and kind of like it now...the "flavour" he bought this time smells like spiced green tea (to me it does, I can't remember what it's called at the moment), is the best way to describe it,not too 'manly', like the original scent does (despite what the commercials tell us) and it lasts a long time. I don't really like the original or some of the other really strong mens ones...but this one's actually nice. I don't really care if it's for guys. I'm sure noone else cares. The old spice is powerful enough that I don't need to over-apply it, so I don't think anyone could smell it unless they stuck their nose in my armpit anyway...lol.  Body odour, on the other hand, carries. I guess it was supposed to, before we became so civilized...lol. Anyway, we're just really thrifty these days, trying to save a dollar here and there, so he bought this really big deoderant stick, and I used it. Better than nothing. The regualr brands don't make plain deodorant (without antiperspirant...which is what has aluminum in it) for women. I wonder why? 

Kimmio, lead IS natural, so buying a natural deodorant may still have lead it in it.

If you're going for a natural deodorant, you can make your own. Then you know exactly what's in it. http://www.ipreferorganic.com/homemade-beauty-recipes/homemade-deodorant/

I am watching myself turning into one of those freaked-out-about-everything Hippie Moms. But I've lived most of my life with very bad allergies and excema, so my body's a bit of a canary in a coalmine for the worst of the crap we surround ourselves with. Dr. Bonner's soap, baking soda and vinegar pretty well comprise my cleaning supplies for body and home.

I like Dr. Bronners! You can use it for everything...bathing, house cleaning. Pure liquid soap, no chemicals. I ran out though and haven't replaced it. Right now just using up odds and ends of other stuff we have..and it can be cross purpose...window cleaner (I have a natutal one...can be used on counter-tops...I use laundry detergent and hot water to mop the floor these days

. Like Elanor, I find the natural deo usually doesn't work as well, especially in the summer...lol. But it's worth a try. Thanks for the recipe!

Kimmio, do I need to go on another 'what is a chemical' rant? ;)

lol...no...just making small talk. ;)

Dr. Bronner's consists of 8 ingredients (plus essential oils).  One of these is coconut oil.  Coconut oil contains at least 7 different fatty acids.  Other ingredients can also be similarly broken down.  If you want to limit the number of chemicals you're exposed to, you could just use a solvent majorly composed of just 1 chemical.  Of course, that 1 chemical could be more toxic than a mixture of 100 chemicals.  

Sorry for the unwanted info, my work computer was semi-frozen so I had some time to kill :)

So what about just  taking a bath with (disolved) baking soda? Would that get a person clean enough?

I'mcurious because I also have sensitive skin. It's not really bad, but some products can be irritating, even natural ones...but especially strong commercial soaps.

And my concern is not just about my skin, but about products that contain silicone/ plastic type chemicals and others that are toxic to the environment.

Kimmio, my point wasn't to bash Dr. Bronners, but just to point out that not all chemicals are bad.  We need chemicals to live.  The baking soda and water are of course, chemicals as well :)

As for sensitive skin, I have the same issues.  I do use a natural soap, one of the Rocky Mountain Soap company ones (honey oatmeal).  Other good ones from there are bar none, pumpkin (they push that one for eczema and I used it for a while before trying the honey oatmeal)  and I think there's a few others that aren't really scented.  Before that, I used a more commercial soap, Petrophylic.  If Dr. Bronners works for you, stick with it!

I've soaked in baking soda baths, I don't think it gets you any cleaner than a bath does, but the baking soda is soothing on mosquito bites!

I take baths instead of showers usually because I'm afraid of falling in the shower (especially in the morning, my muscles are stiff and my balance more wobbly)....then i rinse off  quicky after...maybe too much information. Anyway, I just wondered if the baking soda had a cleansing effect like soap, but gentler. Maybe not. I have used the Rocky Mountain Soaps too...I think that's what they are...they come in cardboard boxes with a window so you can see the colour, and smell them, and they're under 4 dollars?..is that the one that makes the Canadian Glacier Clay one? I like that one, whoever makes it. I've bought it at Whole Foods.

The Dr. Bronner's "baby" one works best for skin and just fine for othr cleaning too...you can add things like tea tree or other essential oils for house cleaning if you want. It has no scent at all. The peppermint (and tea tree, and eucalyptus...I've tried them all) is good for cleaning around the house, everything smells "disinfected", but can be too strong for the skin. The almond Dr. Bronner's is also fine.

Kimmio, it depends to a certain extent.  Water is great at washing away certain things, and less so with others, especialy oil and products designed to be water resistent like deodorant/antiperspirant.  Someone with oily skin needs to use more soap.  I only occassionly wash my face with anything other than water, especially if I haven't been using much makeup.

If you don't smell, don't feel greasy, don't feel a buildup of skin products and don't have an infection then you're probably clean enough :)

dr bronner mmm...i like the text on his bottles--it's like reading sacred writing...

I adore both the products & business practices of Dr Bronner's company. The kids run it now with considerable homage given to their father (much forgiveness needed).
Their website is wonderful and edifying.
Right now, I'm enjoying the minty smoothness of their lip balm. I'm a fan. Can't argue with that All One stuff either.

http://www.drbronner.com/

Yeah, the bottle is pretty entertaining bathtub reading.