❋ Detoxcellence

Kohl / Kajal Eyeliner (Lead)

Traditional kohl, kajal, surma or tiro eye cosmetics.

40Moderate burden · out of 100
Cleaner swapFDA-approved eyeliner from a regulated brand

How this score is built

  1. 100Start
  2. 63.2Chemical hazard 8 × 4.6−36.8
  3. 53Everyday exposure 3 × 3.4−10.2
  4. 40Persistence 5 × 2.6−13
  5. ModerateThe band40 sits in 40–59.

What each input rests on

The three ratings behind the score, and the studies each rests on
InputRatingEvidence
Chemical hazard8/10unsourced input
Everyday exposure3/10

  • In 62 Asian children in the UK, those who had surma applied to their eyes had mean blood lead of 34.2 micrograms/100 ml against 20.3 in those who had not; 23 of 29 surma samples were largely lead sulphide.

    Surma and lead poisoning · Br Med J 1978

    DOI 10.1136/bmj.2.6142.915 · PMID 709125 · Abstract · read 2026-10-16

Persistence5/10unsourced input

Ratings are editorial. A study listed here supports the rating; it did not compute it. How the index is built

What this means for you

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.

Evidence strength: strong

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Lower-exposure choices

86
Fragrance-Free Basic SkincareMinimal · Personal Care

All 33 personal care entries, highest burden first →