Is it safe to use imported eyeliner or kohl on a regular basis?

What's actually in it

Traditional kohl, kajal, and surma sold in South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa are often made from ground galena (lead sulfide) or similar mineral pigments. That's the whole point: the deep, matte black color comes from the metal. Modern imported eyeliners, even pencil and gel formats, can carry the same metals as contaminants from the pigment supply.

The eye area is a fast absorption route. The skin is thin, the membranes inside the eye are delicate, and tears carry product into the nose and throat. Daily use over years builds a low-dose load.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Toxics tested face and eye cosmetics from seven Asian countries for seven metals. The eye products were the worst offenders. Lead, arsenic, cadmium, and nickel all turned up at levels that raised the probabilistic health risk above safe thresholds for regular users. The authors flagged imported products sold through informal channels (online marketplaces, cultural shops) as the highest-risk category, because those aren't subject to the same testing as FDA-regulated cosmetics.

The US FDA lists kohl as an unapproved color additive and it can't legally be sold as a cosmetic here. But it shows up anyway. For eye makeup, stick to brands sold in regulated retail stores, or choose a brand that publishes independent heavy metals testing results. Iron oxides and carbon black give you the same deep color without the lead.