Update, 2/1/2018: Justice has announced a recall of eight different Just Shine makeup products due to asbestos concerns. An original laboratory test showed no evidence of asbestos, the company explained in a statement, however a second round revealed small amounts of the dangerous mineral.

"Justice is committed to providing safe products to our customers. Whenever questions may arise, we take them seriously. Justice launched a rigorous and expansive investigation," the company explained. "That process continues at this time."

The following products, sold from March through June 2017, are included in the recall:

Justice has announced a recall of 8 makeup products due to asbestos concerns.pinterest
Justice
  • Just Shine Shimmer Powder
  • Just Shine Bronzer Brush Just Shine Makeup Palette (11 piece – pinks)
  • Just Shine Makeup Palette (11 piece – blues)
  • Just Shine Eye Shadow Palette (5 piece – cool)
  • Just Shine Eye Shadow Palette (5 piece – pinks) Just Shine Makeup Palette (9 piece glitter cream)
  • Just Shine Eye Shadow Palette (9 piece eye shadow and glitter cream)

Justice is not aware of any adverse reactions, injuries, or illnesses caused by the presence of asbestos in the recalled products, and says it is unlikely that the products will cause any adverse consequences. Nonetheless, they have removed the affected makeup from shelves and are asking parents to return these products to their nearest Justice store for a full refund.

Customers with questions are encouraged to call Justice's customer service line at 1-800-276-1591.

Update, 7/20/2017: Representatives for Justice have reached out to GoodHousekeeping.com with an updated statement disputing the findings of the Scientific Analytical Institute:

"A third party ISO-certified testing lab concluded there is no asbestos in our Just Shine Shimmer Powder product. Reports suggesting that the product contains asbestos are simply inaccurate. As part of our investigation and out of abundance of caution we found it necessary to quickly provide answers to our customers about our product (Item number 192307, or SKU number 19052777). Customers with any questions are encouraged to call our customer service associates at 1-866-246-5822 or email us at info@justiceretail.com."

GoodHousekeeping.com has reached out to WTVD and the Scientific Analytical Institute for comment.


What could possibly be worse than finding out the makeup you use contains asbestos? Finding out the makeup your child uses contains asbestos.

The news team at WTVD, an ABC station in Durham, North Carolina, is reporting that its recent investigation into the ingredients of cosmetics aimed at tweens has revealed frightening results about a product sold at Justice, a national retail chain selling girls' apparel. According to the Scientific Analytical Institute in Greensboro, Just Shine Shimmer Powder tested positive for dangerous asbestos.

Justice Shimmer Powderpinterest
via WTVD

"In this powder designed for children, they could die an untimely death in their 30s or 40s because of the exposure to asbestos in this product," Sean Fitzgerald, the lab's Director of Research and Analytical Services, told WTVD.

Specifically, the lab found tremolite asbestos fibers, which contaminated the talc used in the Just Shine Shimmer Powder. Fitzgerald says the mineral reserve from which the talc was derived should have been tested for contamination; if it had been tested, it never would have been used by the manufacturer because the FDA prohibits asbestos-contaminated talc in cosmetics.

"Fibers like this get into your breathing zone, and when you inhale, these fibers can get into the lung and go to the very bottom of the lung, and that is exactly where you have the greatest likelihood of asbestos to cause disease," Fitzgerald said. "Children should not be allowed to breathe it. If a 10-year-old inhaled this fiber today, when he's 50 years old, it's still there." According to the National Cancer Institute, it can take at least 20 years for malignant mesothelioma to form after asbestos exposure.

As if the asbestos findings aren't scary enough, the lab also found the heavy metals barium, chromium, selenium and lead in Just Shine Shimmer Powder.

"The more lead you have in your system, the more negative health effects you're going to have," Fitzgerald explained. "Any amount of lead can be absorbed through the skin and go into your blood, and contribute to your overall poisoning of your blood."

See the news station's report:

When WTVD's Diane Wilson showed Justice the lab results, the company issued a statement: "Justice is committed to the safety and integrity of our products. Upon receiving the inquiry from WTVD, we immediately began an independent investigation. We cannot speculate regarding the matter until we have more information. Nonetheless, out of an abundance of caution, we have stopped the sale of this product while we investigate."

Birnur Aral, Ph.D., Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Health, Beauty and Environmental Sciences Lab, stresses that instances like this are examples of how cosmetics need to be regulated as tightly as pharmaceuticals and food.

"The Personal Care Safety Act, a bipartisan bill, has gained support from both small companies and giants of the industry as well as advocacy groups, and it has the best chance of modernizing our outdated cosmetics laws," Dr. Aral says. "Good Housekeeping has supported the bill for over a year. While it is not a cure-all in my opinion, it is a very good start toward safer cosmetics." (You can voice your own support at a petition here.)

Just Shine Shimmer Powder is no longer available for purchase on the brand's website, but it has not been added to their recalls section yet. Fitzgerald urges those who own the powder to stop using it and to "treat it like a deadly poison, because it is." The news station also notes in their report that other Justice products they tested did not come back positive for asbestos.

Update, 7/17/2017: Justice has shared the following comment with GoodHousekeeping.com:

"Justice has a long and strong history of concern for the health and safety of our girls. We are deeply committed to the safety and integrity of our products. Upon receiving an inquiry about the Just Shine Shimmer Powder product, we immediately began an investigation and, out of an abundance of caution, stopped the sale of this product in our stores and on our website. Our suppliers are required to produce all products in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If any supplier fails to do so, it is our practice to hold them responsible. We cannot speculate regarding the matter while we investigate."

Headshot of Marci Robin
Marci Robin

Marci Robin is a freelance writer and editor specializing in beauty and lifestyle content. With over 20 years of experience, Marci has served as a contributing editor for Allure, senior beauty editor at GoodHousekeeping.com, executive editor of xoVain and senior online editor at NewBeauty. Her writing has also appeared in her writing has also appeared in InStyle, MarthaStewart.com and Refinery29.