Cosmetic Company Lime Crime Warned by FDA about Unsafe Coloring Ingredients in Lipsticks

The label of Lime Crime’s Velvetines Liquid Matte Lipstick lists two ingredients not permitted in lipsticks and this prompted a warning letter from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The letter, dated July 29, warns Lime Crime that the coloring agents ferric ferrocyanide (Prussian blue) and ultramarines listed on the labels of Lime Crime’s Velvetines Liquid Matte Lipstick, are not permitted in lipsticks. Lime Crime has 15 days from receipt of the letter to respond in writing to the FDA with the steps it has taken to correct the situation and prevent a recurrence.

The two coloring agents are permitted in some “externally applied cosmetics” under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act but are excluded from lipstick because lipstick comes into contact with the mucous membranes of the mouth and ingredients can be absorbed by the body. The FDA did not test for the presence of the two coloring ingredients but issued the warning on the basis of the lipsticks’ ingredient list. The letter directs Lime Crime to remove the ingredients from the lipstick. If the ingredients are not in fact present in the lipsticks, the company must change the label, Fashionista reports.

The FDA letter refers to the lipstick as “an adulterated cosmetic” because it “contains a color additive which is unsafe within the meaning of section 721(a)” of the cosmetic act. “Failure to promptly correct these violations may result in legal action without further notice, including, without limitation, seizure and/or injunction,” the letter states.

Ferric ferrocyanide and ultramarines both received a low-to-moderate toxicity rating in the Environmental Working Group database, but the ingredients are potential irritants, Fashionista reports. Online threads about Lime Crime’s use of ferric ferrocyanides in the Velvetines products are believed to be what brought this matter to the FDA’s attention.

Lime Crime, founded in 2008 and known for its nontraditional cosmetic colors, has had a somewhat troubled existence, according to Fashionista. Musician and fashion designer Kseniya Vorostova (now known as Doe Deere) launched Lime Crime to produce cosmetic products in unusual colors. Fashionista reports that Lime Crime has been accused of repackaging other companies’ products, though the allegations have not been substantiated. A few years ago the company, which calls itself vegan—drew the ire of vegans for its use of beeswax and carmine, which are not acceptable in vegan products. Lime Crime removed those ingredients from its products. This year, customers complained that Lime Crime did not respond expeditiously or forthrightly to a credit data breach.

Lime Crime says the problem with the lipsticks is not the ingredients but mislabeling. In an email to Fashionista, Lime Crime said, “The Velvetines are absolutely safe to use. However, a misprint occurred on some of the labels. We are working with the FDA to correct this. Customer’s safety is always a top priority for us. We apologize for any concern or confusion the misprint may have caused.”

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