40/100

Personal Care

Kohl / Kajal Eyeliner (Lead)

Moderate burden — Kohl / Kajal Eyeliner (Lead) adds a moderate, reducible exposure.

Traditional kohl, kajal, surma or tiro eye cosmetics.

The breakdown

Each driver rated 0 (none) to 10 (worst)

Chemical hazard
8
Everyday exposure
3
Persistence
5

Evidence strength: strong · Detox Score = 100 − hazard×4.6 − exposure×3.4 − persistence×2.6, clamped 1–100.

What this means for you

A Detox Score of 40 places kohl / kajal eyeliner (lead) in the Moderate band. The chemical-hazard rating is what drives the score down. The FDA has repeatedly warned that traditional kohl and kajal can be largely lead salts, and their use near the eye is linked to raised blood-lead levels, especially in children. Only cosmetics with an FDA-approved colour additive list are safe substitutes.

Cleaner swap → FDA-approved eyeliner from a regulated brand.
See where your whole exposure load is highest — free Exposure Score →

Frequently asked questions

Is kohl / kajal eyeliner (lead) a toxic exposure?

Kohl / Kajal Eyeliner (Lead) has a Detox Score of 40 out of 100 (Moderate burden), which means it adds a moderate, reducible exposure. The FDA has repeatedly warned that traditional kohl and kajal can be largely lead salts, and their use near the eye is linked to raised blood-lead levels, especially in children. Only cosmetics with an FDA-approved colour additive list are safe substitutes.

What is a safer alternative to kohl / kajal eyeliner (lead)?

A lower-exposure swap for kohl / kajal eyeliner (lead) is: FDA-approved eyeliner from a regulated brand. The FDA has repeatedly warned that traditional kohl and kajal can be largely lead salts, and their use near the eye is linked to raised blood-lead levels, especially in children. Only cosmetics with an FDA-approved colour additive list are safe substitutes.

Lower-exposure choices

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