A hoax email is circulating with the false warning that certain types of lipstick can cause cancer.

The email, which purports to come from the Walter Reed Army Medical Centre, warns that top-brand lipsticks from Christian Dior, Lancôme and Clinique contain lead that could poison the user.

Cancer Research UK has dismissed the suggestions. "The email appears to be one of the many hoax emails claiming that a variety of everyday products can cause cancer," said the charity.

"We've had deodorant, shampoo, washing up liquid and now lipstick. None of these claims are true and just spread alarm unnecessarily."

The email suggests using a 'test' to determine the lead content of a lipstick. It claims that if a lipstick is rubbed with a gold ring and turns black it contains harmful quantities of lead and could cause cancer.

"If there is a female you care anything about, share this with her," the email warns. "I am also sharing this with the males on my email list, because they need to tell the females they care about as well."

This is one of many hoax emails about the potential side effects of everyday items. Similar hoaxes have been attempted with shampoo, antiperspirant, soy products, plastic containers and even oral sex. 

"Chain letters like this are too easily forwarded to friends, family and colleagues without people using their common sense," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos.

"Hoaxes and chain letters like this are not harmless; they waste time and bandwidth, and can be a genuine headache for support departments.

"Users need to be more sceptical, and ask themselves whether everything they are told by email can be believed."