Recent reports have shown that face paint - very common during Halloween - may have toxic chemicals that could severely harm children, even when labeled as non-toxic. Here’s all you need to know to stay safe!
A report published in CBS San Francisco says that “of the 48 Halloween face paints tested, 21 had trace amounts of at least one heavy metal and some had as many as four. Lead was found in nearly 20 percent of the paints and cadmium in nearly 30 percent.” (CBS San Francisco)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says "no safe blood lead level in children has been identified," and "lead exposure can affect nearly every system in the body." (Mother Jones)
According to the California Department of Public Health, lead can harm children in many ways, depending on the exposure:
- Lead poisoning can harm a child’s nervous system and brain when they are still forming.
- Lead can lead to a low blood count (anemia).
- Small amounts of lead in the body can make it hard for children to learn, pay attention, and succeed in school.
- Higher amounts of lead exposure can damage the nervous system, kidneys, and other major organs. Very high exposure can lead to seizures or death.
Here are some steps you can take to keep Halloween fun!
Check for toxic ingredients
Even if the face paint or makeup you got is labeled as non-toxic, you should still check. Make sure it doesn’t have any potential contaminants and if they are FDA approved.
Use Skin Deep Cosmetic Database
You can use this website to find out if all the ingredients in your cosmetics are safe. The database has over 62.000 cosmetics, and also offers several tips and answers to common inquiries.
Use the Think Dirty App
Think Dirty lets you scan a product’s barcode to have instant knowledge of any potentially harmful ingredients in it. Know more here!
Perform a simple test
Apply a small amount of the cosmetic on your hand and wait for a reaction. “As with any unfamiliar makeup, you’ll always want to perform a patch test on your neck or the underside of your arm to make sure you won’t have a negative reaction,” he added. “If you see signs of irritation, avoid putting the makeup on your face. Don’t hesitate to see a doctor if the costume makeup gives your skin an itchy or blistering rash.” (Huffington Post)
Try “Go Green Face Paint”
This simple kit claims to have all organic ingredients and only uses vegetables byproducts. It’s cheap, colorful and hopefully a lot safer for your kids! You can find them on Amazon. But you can also check out:
Make your own face paint
There are many DIY ways to create simple makeup for Halloween, which means you have control over the ingredients and can freely pick only what you know is safe. Here are some options:
Take action
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics website says that the laws regarding cosmetic safety are over 75 years old. They released a full detailed report on the matter that you can read right now and help them take action for safer cosmetics for everyone.
What other tips do you recommend to keep kids safe this Halloween? Be sure to tell us and share with everyone who may not know! And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for more awesome articles every week!
