Lead

In 2007, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics revealed that a number of cosmetics companies sold lipstick containing high levels of lead. In fact, 61 per cent of the lipsticks tested were shown to have detectable amounts.

Lead can be extremely toxic if eaten or inhaled, and though the rate of absorption into the body is slow, the rate of excretion is even slower. The result can be neurological damage, renal disease, cardiovascular problems and reproductive toxicity.

The most unclear aspect of lead exposure is the level of human tolerance to it - a level once considered safe, is now labeled hazardous.

Besides lipstick, some imported cosmetics such as kohl, from the Middle East, India, Pakistan and parts of Africa, contain lead.