Be Wary of "Scary" Novelty Makeup!

Halloween costume makeup is recommended as a good alternative to masks for kids who will be trick-or-treating, since masks can obscure vision. However, not all face paint is created equal. Remember that just last year, a face paint from China was recalled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration when some children had rashes and itching. The product was later found to contain microbial contamination.

The law says that color additives have to be approved by FDA for use in cosmetics, including color additives in face paints and other cosmetics that may be used around Halloween time.

Neon and "Glow-In-The-Dark" makeup are very common around Halloween time. However, there are only a few dyes that are certified for facial use and they do have limitations on their use.

1. There are eight fluorescent colors approved for cosmetics, and like other colors, there are limits on how they may be used. None of them are allowed for use near the eyes. They are:

• D&C Orange No. 5, No. 10, and No. 11 
• D&C Red No. 21, No. 22, No. 27 and No. 28 
• D&C Yellow No. 7.

2. In August 2000, FDA approved luminescent zinc sulfide for limited cosmetic use. It's the only luminescent color approved for cosmetic use, and it's not for every day and not for near your eyes. You can recognize it by its whitish-yellowish-greenish glow.

If you are using commercial face paint, the FDA advises parents to do the following:

• Follow directions carefully.
• Like soap, some things are OK on your skin, but not in your eyes. Some face paint or other makeup may say on the label that it is not for use near the eyes. Believe this, even if the label has a picture of people wearing it near their eyes. Be careful to avoid getting these products into your eyes.
• If your face paint has a very bad smell, this could be a sign that it is contaminated. Throw it away and use another one.
• Don't decorate your face with things that aren't intended for your skin.
• Even products intended for use near your eyes can sometimes irritate your skin if you use too much.
• If you're decorating your skin with something you've never used before, try a dab of it on your arm for a couple of days to check for an allergic reaction BEFORE you put it on your face. This is often referred to as a "patch test" and is an especially smart thing to do if you tend to have allergies.

An alternative to commercial Halloween Makeup is to make your own Natural Face Paint at home where you can control the ingredients. 

Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com