Face Paint Safety Tips for Parents

Whether it is face paint for the school play, Halloween or even at a local festival, it is important to know what is safe for our child's face and skin and what is not.

Read the Label Before You Face Paint

First, know what face paint and make up ingredients are FDA approved. The FDA.gov website can provide you with information on color additives that are permitted to be used in face paint and cosmetics, (as well as foods and other products) product safety information, and how to report problems with cosmetics and face paint to the FDA.

Certain products are not made for use on skin, and just because it says "non toxic" doesn't mean it is safe. Do not use acrylic paints, or watercolor markers or pencils. A "washable marker" is not made for the skin either and the "washable part" means it should wash out of clothing but on skin it could take days and cause harm to your child's skin long before it is removed.

Avoid metallic glitter or glue glitter should not be used on the face either, the only glitter that should be used is .008 microns in size or smaller and made with polyester.

Try It Before You Apply It

Do a test run on your child's skin before you decorate their whole face. Dab a bit of the face paint make up on your child's forearm a few days before the real application. If the skin breaks out, redness or swelling occurs skip the face paint.

It's also important to avoid the eye area where skin is more sensitive, thinner and the makeup is more likely to cause an eye infection.

Out with the Old and In with the New - Face Paint and Make Up

We have all done it. Bought a selection of face paints and make up for our children to use and a few months to a year later we have pulled it back out to apply. We think, "I spent all that money and I don't want to just throw it away." Or we think, "It was ok last year and didn't bother my child's skin it should be fine this year." Whatever your reason consider going out with the old and in with the new face paint. Would you want to wear or even trust mascara you found in the bottom of your purse that was a year old? Old face paint and make up can contain be contaminated with bacteria.

Clean Up Clean Up Everybody Everywhere

Make sure to use clean brushes, sponges and applicators. Do not use alcohol to sanitize your applicators, it can actually cause infections and hurt sensitive skin around the eyes. Consider purchasing disposable applicators to avoid spreading germs or infections.

Avoid applying face paint to anyone who has a contagious illness, open sores, wounds or even acne. You can spread germs and irritate skin that is already sore. Infections can also be caused.

Anyone applying makeup or face paint should wash their hands in between each application. Start with one child, wash your hands, get new applicators and begin again.

Face Paint Removal Tips

Don't leave face paint or make up on overnight.

Use a warm wash cloth, soap and water to remove most face paints. Baby wipes can actually cause the paint to smear and get deeper into the skins pores.

If you need extra help, try a gentle facial cleanser like Ponds Cold Cream.

Glitter tattoos may require a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol to remove.

While many parents are avoiding face paint entirely because of health or sensitive skin issues others are considered about ingredients or the presence of lead in the face paint or glitter. This concern is a valid one as The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested 10 Halloween face paints in an independent lab and all ten tested positive for lead. The tests also found nickel, cobalt, and chromium in some of the face paints, which can cause allergic reactions.

One physician states, "The first issue is lead poisoning which is a significant health risk for children, especially children under the age of six for their cognitive development," said Dr. Paul Lyons, a family health physician at Temple University Hospital and that the "risk is usually associated with prolonged exposure, so one night of Halloween face paint probably won't be that dangerous."

Many parents feel face paint and make up to be much safer than masks; and they are probably right. But with these helpful safety and health tips parents can make that decision on their own and know what to do to keep their child safe while using face paint and make up for their next special party, play date, school play, festival or Halloween.

Sources:

Personal Experience

FDA.gov

http://cbs3.com/health/face.paint.safety.2.1275636.html

Safe Cosmetics.org

Parents Magazine

Need help with Halloween make up, face paint and costume ideas? Try reading: Best AC Content on Halloween Makeup and Face Paint, Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas and the Best Last Minute Costume Ideas for Kids.