Super Safety for kids Halloween face paints

One day when my daughter brought fake blood from school excitingly to use it on Halloween. I was like….. ummm, what is that? and how safe can it be? I don’t want to mention my argument didn’t go anywhere on that day. But I started to do a little bit of research about safety of Halloween face paint for kids. I did not intend to ruin the fun. Going as a vampire or Zombie on Halloween is so exciting for both kids and adults. But I can not ignore the importance of safety! Are those face paints made based on approved rules and regulations?

Most of us consider it safe to have any kind of makeup or face paint for just a day on Halloween. We shop from any cheap retailer for Halloween supplies and we may not think twice about the safety of face paints since it’s for a short time. I would do the same before my research. The majority of Halloween makeup is being used for kids. A big part of Halloween fun is about color, but we are talking about the sensitive delicate kids’ skin. This time when you want to face paint or do a fun Halloween makeup, you may think twice about what you shop for. Here are some safety tips for kids Halloween face paints.

Super safety tips for kids Halloween face paint

Many of the face paint available in the market contain harmful ingredients. The industry of face paints or novelty makeup is unregulated. Yes, the authority can only take action when the product is already in the market and there is reliable information about the dangers of the product. Being said that, although companies and individuals who market cosmetics have a legal responsibility for the safety and labelling of their products; it is very common to find heavy metals impurities like mercury, lead, cadmium, and tin. Because these contaminants are classified as “impurities” rather than “ingredients,” product manufacturers are not required to list them on their product packaging. 

What are FDA approved face paint?

The United States Food and Drug Administration has provided some guidelines so choosing the right products get less complicated.

FDA-regulated does not mean FDA-approved. FDA does not have the legal authority to approve cosmetics before they go on the market, although they approve color additives used in them (except coal tar hair dyes). You can check their website here.

Generally they recommend choose the products that are FDA approved. To know which one is FDA approved always check the list of ingredient on the product and Check the Summary of Color Additives on FDA’s Web site. There’s a section especially on colors for cosmetics. If you can’t find an ingredient on the list of FDA, don’t use it.

There are 2 types of glow effect: Fluorescent colors, or Neon or day glow, FDA has mentioned there are 8 approved colors in this category. D&C Orange No. 5, No. 10, and No. 11; D&C Red No. 21, No. 22, No. 27 and No. 28; and D&C Yellow No. 7.  and Luminescent colors. In this category there is only one approved color luminescent zinc sulfide, only for limited cosmetic use.

None of these colors are allowed to use near eyes.

Summary of super safety tips for kids Halloween face paints

• If you are doing a zombie look, start with moisturizer and then apply foundation instead of any unknown white color.
• If you need any special colors like green or blue, just apply different colors of eye shadow from a good brand makeup set.
• For any black mark and details use a trustable brand of black eyeliner, the eyeliner pencil comes normally in different colors you can benefit from the variety if you need different colors in your face painting.  
• For red colors, use bright red lipstick, but be very careful and do your research before purchasing any products, many red lipsticks from famous brands may contain lead.  
• Don’t use face paints from last year. They may be expired and irritate the skin.
• Avoid the eye area when applying face paint or make-up, even if the packaging includes a picture of people with makeup applied to their eyes.

Skin cleansing and removing face paint

• Never let your child go to bed with paint on the face. I know when face painting is so pretty and exactly what he wants it’s hard to remove it before bed, they like to keep it so the next day they can show to their friends. But there is no other option, all those makeup has to be removed even if you have used the safe paint. The paints are not supposed to stay on the face for a long time. While sleeping they may go to the eye and they irritate the skin when you have them too long on the face. Use a gentle face makeup remover.
• When you are removing the paint or adhesive follow the instructions mentioned on the packaging.
• Use the products as they are recommended. If you want to use an adhesive use the one made for face or theatre use. Don’t grab whatever available, we are talking about the skin, any glue may stick but how you want to remove it from your face? You may damage your skin easily.

I already mentioned this before, for any product or even herb you are not certain about an allergic reaction, test it on a small area of your arm and wait at least 24 hours. If you have redness or any kind of reaction do not use that product on your face.

Enjoy Halloween

so much love, Fatemeh