Could your lip balm be POISONING you? Consumer group issues warning against ten products found to contain toxic ingredients

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A French consumer group has issued a warning against ten lip balm products that have been found to contain toxic ingredients.

The Carmex classic moisturising lip balm and Labello original classic care lip balm, which are both on sale in the UK, were among those found to be potentially harmful.

Products by other well-known brands, such as Garnier, La Roche Posay and Yves Rocher were also on the list. 

Consumer group UFC Que-choisir tested 21 products, nearly half of which were found to contained carcinogenic mineral oils.

At least seven of the products included on the list are available to buy in the UK. Many of the lip balms are also on sale in the US and Australia. 

A French consumer group has issued a warning about ten lip balms that were found to contain 'toxic' ingredients. At least seven of the products, including the Carmex classic moisturising lip balm (left) and Labello original classic care lip balm (right) are available to buy in the UK 

According to The Local, the lip balms contained Mosh (mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons), which are harmful if swallowed.

The report said: 'The level of Mosh in these lip balms is extremely undesirable, on account of their toxicity when they are ingested.' 

Meanwhile, most of the products on the list also include Moah (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons), which is considered to be carcinogenic.

A spokesman for UFC Que-choisir said: 'If Moah and Mosh are undesirable, it is because some are carcinogenic while others can accumulate in the liver and the lymph nodes and cause inflammatory reactions whose exact consequences are unknown. 

The Macadamia lip balm from Yves Rocher, which is also on sale in the UK, was also on the list of products found to contain potentially harmful substances 

'Due to this toxicity, mineral oils and synthetic hydrocarbons are prohibited in the food industry.' 

However, the CTPA, the UK's cosmetic trade association, denied the suggestion that the lip balms are harmful.

A spokesperson for organisation said in a statement: 'We can confirm that lip balms are not toxic and there is no cause for alarm. The suggestion that lip balms are unsafe is completely unfounded.

'In the UK and EU the manufacture and supply of all cosmetic products are governed by strict safety laws.'

The statement added: 'Mineral oils have been safely used in cosmetic products for more than 100 years and do not present any health risks as used in cosmetic products. 

The Avène cold cream nourishing balm (left) and Nultric transforming balm for dry lips from La Roche Posay (right) are also on the list. Both are available for sale in the UK 

'Special consideration is given to the ingredients used in, and safety assessment of, lip care products, since these products are applied directly on the lips and can, therefore, easily reach the body through ingestion. 

'The safety assessor must make sure that the product is safe when applied to the lips and also when ingested.' 

A spokesperson for Labello said: 'Labello products use only highly refined and high quality mineral oils, which are proven to be safe for consumers.

'These mineral oils may contain small amounts of Moah. The amounts of Moah - which may still be present in the raw material after thorough processing – are, however, considered safe for consumers according to recent scientific studies.

'They also confirm no carcinogenic effects as a result of testing.

'Labello only use Mosh fractions for which the European Food Safety Authority has determined no relevant or harmful accumulation results.' 

The brand added that all their ingredients 'are specifically quality checked against the EU’s Pharmaceutical Compendium.' 

A spokesperson for Carmex said: 'The ingredients used in Carmex products are always purified refined grades that are safe for use and meet specifications appropriate for their inclusion in pharmaceuticals, foods, cosmetics and a variety of personal care products. 

'The safety of refined mineral oil or petrolatum has been confirmed by long-term use in various cosmetics and pharmaceuticals and proven through multiple competent studies, which show no toxic or carcinogenic response. 

'Carma Laboratories takes the safety of its customer seriously and continues to monitor and stay apprised of studies, information and regulations to ensure the highest quality product.'

A spokesperson for Yves Rocher added: 'We would like to reaffirm that all our products are safe, without exception and that they comply with the European cosmetic regulations.' 

All the brands named in the list have been contacted by MailOnline for comment.