Why I choose to use natural face paints on my kids.
My daughter loves face paints. It does not have to be professionally done; she just loves to scribble, dab, cover her face with face paints - the messier the better. As Halloween approaches, I have been asked by other parents whether I think it's worth using natural face paints and my answer, without doubt, is yes!
In the 2009, Campaign For Safe Cosmetics study of kids' face paints found the following frightening results:
- 10 out of 10 well-known face paint brands tested positive for lead (including brands sold in the UK)
- 6 of 10 contained known skin allergens nickel, cobalt and/or chromium
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Labels contained misleading claims, such as “hypoallergenic,” on products with known skin allergens.
In 2014, the FDA ( Food & Drug Administration in the USA) carried out the same tests on children's face paints and found the same results. If you search "face paints" on news websites, you will find numerous articles on children who have suffered severe allergic reactions to shop bought standard face paints.
The EU has stricter rules regarding cosmetics and toy safety standards but there are no guarantees your child will not react to the ingredients in face paints. Most companies recommend that you carry out a skin test before applying the face paints directly onto your child's face. But it's not worth the risk when there are great alternatives out there and you can make your own. Check out this wonderful blog post on Popsugar.
I recommend Natural Earth Face paints - possibly the safest face paints on the market. Made using over 70% certified organic ingredients, this clay & mineral-based face and body paint is amazing - great opacity, creamy and now available in more colours. It is easy to wash off, free from nano particles, heavy metals, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, and animal products such as carmine.
Buy Now - Natural Earth Face Painting Kit
Buy Now - Natural Earth Individual Colours
For a happy, stress-free, spooky Halloween, stick to natural face paints!
Find out more
Simple steps for safer face paint
Face paint: is it worth the risk?
New Zealand face paint safety testing
Halloween face paints can contain heavy metals