Is face painting dangerous?
It seems like every children’s event these days has an arts and crafts table with a face painter. But, is that face paint safe?
Last year, a report for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics was issued regarding the safety of face paint. The researchers tested 10 different face painting kits, all commonly found in craft stores. Their findings were pretty scary indeed, “all 10 face paint products tested contained lead, and 6 out of 10 had known skin allergens, including nickel, cobalt or chromium, at levels above recommendations of industry studies,” said Stacy Malkan, the campaign’s co-founder and a co-author of the report. For the new report, she said, “We looked for a range of heavy metals, and we didn’t find mercury or arsenic. Other countries have found those in face paints. We did unfortunately find lead in all the products.” Experts say there is no safe level of lead exposure for children and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that parents avoid using cosmetics on their children that could be contaminated with lead. Lead exposure early in life can lead to hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, IQ deficits, reduced school performance, aggression and delinquent behavior. It can also impact fertility, including increasing risk for miscarriage and reducing sperm quality. Early-life lead exposure can even increase risk for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
After the 2009 Campaign for Safe Cosmetics report came out, some face paints are now being labeled “nontoxic”, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you are buying a lead-free paint. In fact, Malkan says, one product “was advertised on the package as nontoxic and hypoallergenic, [and] had some of the highest levels of nickel, cobalt and lead.”
Further reporting by BabyCenter is helpful in providing guidelines for using face paint. Dr. Dennis Woo, former chair of pediatrics at Santa Monica-UCLA and Orthopaedic Hospital, Santa Monica, Calif., who reviewed the report, said, using face paint once a year “is probably not going to do anything at all [healthwise],” . But, he said he is surprised by the amounts of heavy metals found in the face paints. “We should start looking at this stuff. There’s no reason these heavy metals need to be in cosmetics.” His colleague, Dr. Wally Ghurabi, chief of emergency services, Santa Monica-UCLA and Orthopaedic Hospital, believes that even once-a-year use of the face paints may not be worth it. “Concerned parents should skip it,” he said. If those who apply the paints aren’t careful, he said, and get the paint too close to the eyes or nose, that could be potentially harmful.
The only way to know if a cosmetic product contains lead or other heavy metals is to test the product at a laboratory, which the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics did for this report at a cost of $270.00 per sample.
Thankfully, you can still do face painting safely. You just need some time and ingenuity. Safe Cosmetics put together a list of DIY face paint recipes that range from chocolate masks to beet red lip gloss. If you can convince your child to stay away from the face painting table, you can make it a fun home activity you can do together.
Related Posts:
- Lead in Kids Drinks? (June 13th, 2010)
- More on slings as possibly dangerous….. (March 12th, 2010)
- Face Painting (October 22nd, 2008)
- How Toxic is your paint? (August 20th, 2008)
- Face Painting (February 3rd, 2008)
I appreciate the article in making people aware of the dangers, and appreciate all the fellow face painters by clearing up some misconceptions that a customer base might have in reading this article.I find that much of what was written was a very good represetation of Professional artist by professional artists.
I am proud to say I am a professional , and proud of you guys for representing the community well.
-Tiffany
As a professional face painter (nine years) I have seen it all at festivals and parties but I always tell parents one thing:
just ask.
If the painter is using anything other than an FDA approved cosmetic face paint just walk away. No matter how much they try to tell you that “this stuff is from wal mart and totally safe and it says “non toxic” right on the bottle” you can even go a step further and ask if they are insured. Most professional face and body artists carry insurance and they cannot be insured if they use unsafe materials.
I would be more than happy to answer any questions regarding the subject if you email me at
terra@bellarougedesign.com
Glad you had the resource, and kudos on using Snazaroo!
Our artists’ group provided a face painting activity for children at a recent local festival. One of the attendees complained to one of the organizers saying that face painting was dangereous to children. We were not aware of any problems since this is popular with all the children. Thank you for all your comments and research. We were using Snazaroo products, so we do not have to eliminate this fun at events. However, we will be alert to any other researches in the future.
Wow-that’s so nice Larissa. I appreciate that.
I just want to make one more comment here… I want to thank the blog post author for being receptive, open, responsible, and for obviously putting information and safety first.
It’s wonderful and refreshing to see someone who’s willing to stand corrected, listen to information that contradicts her original impressions, ask questions, allow debate, and put the dissemination of good information ahead of making a point.
Others should follow your lead.
Ha ha. I couldn’t help but try
Thanks for the info and link Karen.
Hi Kyra
Ha ha- wish I could enter you multiple times- maybe I will do that in the future…hmmm…
You can check the Skin Deep cosmetic safety database for all your makeup to see what toxins are in there. Mascara scores really low on hazards though, so I probably wouldn’t worry. Here is the link to it:
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/browse.php?category=mascara
Frances is right. As long as the painter is using professional, FDA-compliant supplies, face painting is far safer than many children’s activities we take for granted.
You absolutely should want the best for yours kids. You research your pediatrician, your day care, your school, and your summer camp. Face painting is no different. All that is required is one simple question: “What kind of paints and glitters are you using?”
Let the kids have fun they are only young once. Do you know how many toxins are in the foods your eat, the water you drink or the air you breathe? There is probably more toxins in that then face paint. I don’t know because I am not a scientist nor do I play one on TV but I am not going to worry about every little thing. Kids have been painting their faces for a long time, we turned out fine, face painters and clowns (and celebrities) wear makeup, all day long and they are fine. As long as it is cosmetic and not acrylic, or crappy craft paint you’re fine.
Do you know how many toxins are in the foods your eat, the water you drink or the air you breathe? There is probably more toxins in that then face paint. I don’t know because I am not a scientist nor do I play one on TV but I am not going to worry about every little thing. Kids have been painting their faces for a long time, we turned out fine, face painters and clowns (and celebrities) wear makeup, all day long and they are fine. As long as it is cosmetic and not acrylic, or crappy craft paint you’re fine.
Let the kids have fun they are only young once.
Hmmm, what about regular makeup? I’ve used my eyeliner for example to draw whiskers on my son. I assume this doesn’t have the toxins found in some “face paints?”
FD
I must take exception to the photo of our Aquacolor palette being used in association to this article. Not only is Kryolan nowhere in the same same category as the “craft store” quality face paints in question, our Aquacolor in particular has been identified as one of the safest face and body paints available. The Aquacolor recently received the Seal Of Quality Approval from the European Center for Allergy Research Foundation. The first and only professional makeup color range to receive such a distinction. In addition, our Aquacolor and Fun Faze product lines have been safety-approved according to the European Toy Regulation and may carry the CE-mark.
Safety should always be of the highest priority, and Kryolan continues to meet and exceed the regulations of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) set by the worldwide leaders of the FDA, EU and Japan. More information may be found on our website, http://www.kryolan.com.
Thank you,
Joe Korts
Opr. Mngr.
Kryolan USA
Karen:
I can’t comment on the tattoo books, as I don’t know anything about them.
The tattoos I offer are hand-painted, using either cosmetic glitter and a medical grade adhesive or airbrush tattoo ink. Both are very durable, lasting as much as 2 weeks with proper care.
You’re welcome to visit my websites, take a look around, and come back with more questions. I love what I do and I love to talk about it. Educated consumers are my best customers, because they understand and appreciate what goes into the services I deliver.
http://www.bodyartforgrownups.com (art for teens and adults)
http://www.teamfacepaint.com (art for kids)
Cheers, Nancy
Larissa and Nancy- this is incredibly helpful- thank you for your professional advice and thoughts about what a parent should look for. It’s nice to know that professional paints are generally safe for the skin- and that homemade recipes may not always be.
I didn’t even think about glitter. Great information.
We use those tattoos from the tattoo books at our house all the time. Do you have any idea if those are safe?
Ask the painter to show you the label on their paints and glitters. Obviously, if they show you a bottle of craft paint, you know it isn’t safe.
Professional face paint is similar to theatrical makeup. In fact, one of the old time make-up artists, Ben Nye, whose name you may have noticed in the credits on classic movies, has a line of face paints/powders. I use several different brands (including Ben Nye), but all are labeled “make-up” or “body paint” or “body art” or words to that effect. My glitter is labeled “cosmetic glitter.” These supplies are NOT cheap by any stretch of the imagination, but a professional artist will make the investment because he or she cares about your child’s safety.
Things to consider…
Does the set-up look professional? Is it neat and clean? Do the brushes and other equipment look well-cared for? Does the artist have a tent? Business cards? Brochures? Are they wearing an apron or T-shirt with their business name on it? Does the artwork look professional? Or has a local non-profit set up a table with some teenagers using tempera paints? Ask the artist how to remove the paint. Real face paint (i.e., make-up) is water soluble, which is why it sweats off. It’s easily removed with mild soap (or even baby shampoo) and water.
I hope this helps. Feel free to ask additional questions.
I agree with Larissa. Allowing your child to be painted with anything other than professional face paint – including the concoctions you can make in your kitchen – is just not a good idea.
Often, painters will tell you their craft paint is “non-toxic.” That may be true, but that does NOT mean it’s safe for use on skin. After all, jalapenos are non-toxic, but you sure wouldn’t rub one on your face!
The crucial thing to remember is to ALWAYS ask your painter what products he or she is using before allowing your child to be painted. If the painter is hesitant, evasive, or doesn’t know the answer, walk away. Anyone who using using high quality, FDA-compliant, safe products will welcome your questions and will happily discuss the paints and glitters with you.
I’m not Nancy, but if I may butt in…
If you see brands like Snazaroo, Mehron, Wolfe Brothers, Fardel, Kryolan, or Fantasy Worldwide, it’s a good indication that you’re dealing with a professional face painter who is using quality professional makeup.
But don’t be afraid to ask questions! I’m amazed when I’m face painting at how many parents *don’t* ask questions, or wait to ask until I’m nearly done with the face. If a face painter says that his or her paints won’t sweat off, run like the wind. If they won’t sweat off, it’s likely they’re acrylic craft paints, a definite hazard for use on the face. Acrylics, temperas, watercolors, markers (including Sharpies), should all be avoided in body art.
If a face painter won’t tell you the brands being used, it’s a warning sign that something’s not right. Your child may be disappointed that he or she can’t get painted that day, but there will be many more opportunities for that, with painters who are more forthright and using products that won’t hurt anyone.
If a face painter says that his or her supplies are simply “non-toxic,” that’s not enough. Non-toxic means *only* that the item won’t kill you if ingested, not that it won’t cause an allergic reaction when used topically on the skin or that it’s truly OK to use.
Ask about the glitter being used. Conscientious, professional face painters won’t use craft glitter; they’ll use cosmetic glitter which is formulated differently and much safer in case it travels into the eyes.
Also, know that there’s a difference between what most professional face painters use and the gunky stuff you find in costume shops around Halloween. The professional “paints” (which are really makeup in a different form) have a *much* lower incidence of allergic reaction, get much better aesthetic results, and result in much happier customers.
For those of you who want to paint yourselves or your own kids, it’s not hard to find Snazaroo face paints, which are probably the safest in the world. If you can’t find those, the Klutz face painting book comes with either Kryolan or Wolfe Brothers paints, both good, professional brands.
Hi Nancy
thanks for your helpful comment and link to the MPR article.
Maybe you should take a look at this.
http://www.snazaroo.us/safety.htm
All so-called “face paint” is not created equal.
Professional face painters only use high quality, safe, FDA-compliant, professional makeup products. Those products are not mass market and they are not available in craft stores.
One of the country’s most reliable and highly respected news organizations, National Public Radio, disputed the findings in the CSC report. For a balanced, unbiased look at the topic, go to http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/10/30/lead-in-face-paint.
The solution is simple. To keep your child safe, all you have to do to ask the face painter what products he or she is using before allowing your child to be painted. A professional painter will be glad that you asked and happy to discuss the paints with you.
Nancy Miner
Please keep in mind that most professional face painters would never use products “commonly found in craft stores.” It is very wise for parents to be watchful of what their children are exposed to, but please be cautious about making assumptions as to the safety of an entire industry based on tests of craft store products. Professional face and body artists, ie. those who study the craft extensively and make it their career, are highly aware of product safety, and will never balk at answering any questions parents may have about what they are using. It will be fairly obvious to an observant parent when they see a pro setup vs. that of an amateur or volunteer. A few dabs of paint on a paper plate, or tiny plastic pots of paint that resemble poster paints is one very clear sign of possibly sub-par products, and an artist who seems tight-lipped or nervous when asked about product safety is definitely a good reason to redirect your child. However; if the painter’s setup LOOKS “expensive”, with a wide range of color choices in containers that are not disposable, and the work being done is of an acceptable quality to you, please give them the oportunity to answer a few questions before dismissing their work and products as “dangerous”.
Thank you for the opportunity to assist in educating the public about children’s safety!
Christina Davison
Please be aware that the “study” performed by CSC, a lobby group with an agenda, was not done under proper scientific standards and cannot therefore be taken as accurate. Please also be aware that the face paint industry leaders, as well as the FDA, have replied to the CSC report.
Information can be found here: http://njfacepainter.blogspot.com/2009/10/face-paint-safety.html and here: http://njfacepainter.blogspot.com/2009/10/truth-about-face-paint-safety-follow-up.html
Included in those posts are links to the responses from industry leaders, face paint MSDS sheets, and the FDA statement.