Study shows popular cosmetics contain heavy metals
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 10:12AM 
By Riley via Wikimedia Commons
Lead, arsenic and cadmium sound more like a chemical-laden concoction rather than ingredients found in popular cosmetics. But a new study by Environmental Defence Canada, via the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, reveals that these toxic heavy metals have been found in 49 popular cosmetic products tested and none of these heavy metals were listed on the label.
The study tested 49 products from popular brands like Laura Mercier, MAC, L'Oreal, Mary Kay, and Sephora and found that 100 percent of the products contained nickel, 96 percent contained lead and 90 percent contained beryllium. Only one product, Annabelle Mineral Pigment Dust (Solar), was found to not contain a single metal of most concern...
..."Individual exposures to these metals in small amounts are unlikely to cause harm, but heavy metals can build up in the body over time and may increase risk for a variety of health problems," the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics reports. Meaning, if you're using cosmetics laden with heavy metals on a daily basis, or more than once daily, you could be putting yourself at risk.
Read the full article at Treehugger
OR download the original report from Canada's Environmental Defence