Stronger standards for the use of tar-based pigments in lip makeup products are required

- A new method of clearly indicating all substances and ingredients of such products on the packaging is also needed -

The age of people who use cosmetics products is getting younger due to the rising influence of new forms of mass media, including one-person media. In particular, lip cosmetics - as the makeup products most frequently used by teenagers, and which can be easily purchased at stores specializing in the sale of cosmetic products, road shops, etc. - have a high possibility of being licked or swallowed, thus necessitating strict management of the harmful substances contained in them.

For this reason, the Korea Consumer Agency (President Lee Hee-sook) conducted an investigation on the use of tar-based pigments for 625 lip makeup products* and the heavy metal (lead, cadmium, antimony, chromium) content of 20 products**. Although the results of the investigation showed that all of the investigated products met the current safety standards, some of the products were found to contain pigments which might cause skin allergies. Therefore, stronger standards for the use of tar-based pigments are required, along with a new method of clearly indicating all substances and ingredients of such products on the packaging.

* Products most frequently purchased by consumers at the top eight (8) cosmetics stores, online malls operated by the top two (2) retailers, and six (6) open markets were selected.

** Products most frequently purchased at six (6) open markets, and online malls operated by two (2) retailers (15 for adults, 5 for children) were selected.