Consumer Council urges consumers to stop using a model of lip gloss which was found to contain a prohibited colouring agent.
Consumer Council conducted its first ever test on 37 brands of lip gloss on the market, with prices ranging from HK$2 to HK$230. The test revealed that one sample contained a colouring agent which has been banned for more than a decade, while some others contain trace amount of heavy metals.
The test uncovered that 1 sample contained a prohibited colourant CI 15585（Pigment Red 53）, at a level of 74.5 ppm.
The Mainland Hygienic Standard for Cosmetics (2007) explicitly forbids the use of colourant CI 15585 and its Barium salt CI 15585:1 in cosmetic products. These colourants are also prohibited for use in cosmetics in the United States and the European Union (EU).
Research on the human's health effect of the colourant CI 15585 has mainly focused on its Barium Salt, CI 15585:1（Pigment Red 53:1）. Although there is inadequate evidence to prove that this colourant is carcinogenic to humans, studies do indicate that this colourant has been associated with contact dermatitis for cosmetic use.
In the tests for heavy metals, trace amount of lead (0.043 to 0.91ppm) were detected in 25 samples. Among the 25 models, one of them was also found to contain trace amount of mercury (0.068ppm) while another sample was found to contain trace of arsenic (0.91ppm).
Nevertheless, the level of heavy metals found in those samples was far below the limits set by the Hygienic Standard for Cosmetics of the Mainland.
Heavy metals exist in the natural environment and the trace amount of heavy metals found in the cosmetic products may have come from natural minerals. As long as the level of heavy metals in these products does not exceed the safety limits, the cosmetics should be in theory safe to use.
The Council is nevertheless concerned that when consumers use a lip cosmetic product which contains heavy metals, there is a possibility that traces of the cosmetic product may be ingested, and heavy metals are hence consumed. Consumers are therefore suggested to wipe off the lip cosmetics before eating or drinking.
The lip gloss samples were also checked for their microbial contents. It was found that the hygienic conditions of all samples were satisfactory, except one which could not be tested because of insufficient amount of sample available.
The labelling of the lip gloss samples, however, needs improvement.
15 samples did not show the expiry date, manufacture date, shelf-life or period after opening (PAO). The Council points out that products labelled with both expiry date and PAO will help consumers not to purchase or use expired/deteriorated cosmetic products.
As well, a detailed ingredient list can also help consumers with problem of skin allergy to choose the appropriate product, but 16 samples were found to lack such information.
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