THE Shenzhen Consumer Council recently released a report based on the test results of 16 lipsticks that enjoy a certain degree of popularity in China. The report shows that nine lipsticks for children were found unsafe and were not recommended for use, the Shenzhen Evening News reported Thursday.

The test results of the 16 lipsticks benefited from a comparative test specific to the safety of mineral oils in lipsticks for children carried out by International Consumer Research & Testing.

Mineral oils, which consist of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH), are moisturizers commonly used in lipstick.

The test mainly evaluated the products around four safety indicators regarding saturated hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons. The price of the 16 lipsticks from 14 brands ranged from 23 yuan (US$3.32) to 138 yuan.

According to the test results, MOAH were detected in eight lipstick samples and one sample was found to have excessive MOSH. Three samples of Sebamat GmbH, HiPP and Apivita were all found to be safe.

The eight samples included three from Disney’s lipstick collection, as well as Hello Kitty, Kiehl’s, Maybelline NY, Claire’s and Laino.

A sample of Blistex was found to pose risks to the human body in the detection of MOSH with medium to low viscosity.

According to relevant reports, MOAH possess potential mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. They can penetrate the blood through the epidermis and accumulate in the body, which may result in cells losing normal functions.

MOSH with medium and low viscosity can accumulate in animals and produce micro granulation in the liver, spleen and lymph nodes.

The council suggests consumers check the composition list on labels before buying lipstick for children and to avoid products containing the raw materials of mineral oils.

The main components of mineral oils in cosmetics are mineral oil, liquid paraffin, microcrystalline wax, mineral wax, hydrogenated microcrystalline wax, ground wax, pure ground wax, paraffin, vaseline and synthetic wax.

(Zhang Yu)