Lead acetate in cosmetics: why it's flagged
Short answer
Lead acetate is flagged by Olive Detective as a high concern in cosmetics. Colour additive (hair dye); neurotoxic — FDA revoked its listing. The flag is class-level and precautionary, based on FDA 2018 ban; IARC 2B — it describes the ingredient class, not the safety of any particular product.
What the concern is
- Carcinogenicity concern — flagged by IARC or an equivalent body for review.
- other — flagged for review.
How it appears on an INCI list
Cosmetic labels use INCI names, which are standardised worldwide, so the same wording appears on a product bought anywhere. This class is matched on lead acetate.
How it affects the score
Cosmetic scoring follows the Yuka method: a product with only green and yellow ingredients has its score floored at 50, any orange ingredient caps it below 50, and any red caps it below 25. This ingredient is red, so it caps a product's score below 25 on its own.
Source: FDA 2018 ban; IARC 2B
Other cosmetic ingredients we flag
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