article about lead and other metals found in lipstick

[Mairi]

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/1 ... tick/?_r=1&

I read this article thinking that I have nothing to worry about because I only use natural cosmetics. But then the article specified that ingredients such as titanium oxide and mica can be a problem, and I know those are ingredients found in most natural lippies, including SN.

So I wanted to know, does SN do any testing to ensure that there are no metal contaminants in the lippies?

[JenW]

I can answer some of this.

We don't do any testing of that kind. It is extremely cost prohibitive. We do use reputable suppliers for our pigments and raw materials.

When you see an article like this, you really need to analyze how they got their data. Who is their test group? If it is small and isolated, you really can't put much weight in it. There is such a bombardment of information out there that you cannot take everything you read at face value. Everyone has an agenda, and you could even say we do, too. I am not at all saying the article is wrong. I am saying we need more data to accurately make the conclusion they put forth.

If it did get to the point where any of our cosmetic ingredients were in question, Karen would not sell the products made of that ingredient. She tries to stay on top of these things; she has a great mind for analyzing the data put forth on an ingredient. If a product's safetly comes into question, she changes it or discontinues it.

[karen]

While I am very very passionate about cosmetic safety IMHO it's an **EVERYONE PANIC*** article to grab headlines for a publish or perish academic. The list of metals they say they found in lipsticks are actually some of the FDA approved ingredients we actually use. We do tint lippies with things like titanium dioxide, manganese violet, tin oxide, and iron oxides. Everyone does because that's what the FDA has approved.

Like Jen said- we work with very trusted suppliers. With each ingredient the manufacturer sends us a certificate of analysis where it's been tested for contaminates as well as mold, and bacteria.

I'm mean about it...I insist on the paperwork, and I don't work with suppliers who can't or won't give it to me. It's not in anyone's interest to sell a product that's bad- the cost of throwing out a batch of something is a drop in the bucket compared to paying doctor bills of people you may have harmed.

As always we leave it up to you...we declare all of the ingredients for each product, so you can decide what you think is best for you. If we're using it as an ingredient in a product I've researched it and feel comfortable using it.

[rymorg2]

I for one appreciate your staying on top of this Karen. I trust the ingredients you use. Thank you for thinking of our health!

[Mairi]

Thanks for your responses. I wasn't meaning to throw out a challenge, just wanted to know what your approach was. I'm glad to hear that your suppliers provide the certification. I already knew that you are conscious of health issues, but I appreciate the extra reassurance.