Many of us are aware that house paints once contained lead, but few of us realize that Halloween face paints can contain lead and other heavy metals. The FDA does not test makeup to ensure that it is free of heavy metals and few retailers list all the ingredients on packaging. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not identified a safe blood lead level in children, and even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect IQ and cognitive functioning. In sum: Lead is a known neurotoxin.

Back in 2009, Healthy World, Healthy Child, a non-profit affiliated with the Environmental Working Group (EWG), “tested 10 face paints for heavy metals and found lead in every one of them…Six of the face paints contained nickel, cobalt or chromium, all heavy metals that can cause skin allergies.” They also found that product labels gave misleading information. “Some claimed to be ‘hypoallergic,’ even though they were made with known skin allergens.” You can read the campaign’s full report, published in 2009, here. I wish that I could share a more recent laboratory analysis of face paints, but I have not found a similar study that was conducted more recently. Even Senator Schumer of New York took up the cause of warning families of the potential dangers of certain Halloween Make-Up last week in a statement which said,

“Halloween makeup and face paint, often made in China, can contain heavy metals like lead, nickel, cobalt and chromium which could pose a serious danger to the children wearing it. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not conduct routine testing of novelty cosmetic products or face paints and the agency needs to do more to enforce the packaging regulations that require companies to include the full list of ingredients. While lead is banned from makeup in Canada and Europe, it is not currently banned from makeup sold in the United States. Schumer explained that this lack of regulation means that many parents are exposing their young children, and even themselves, to products that contain harmful metals, like lead.”

The solution to the problem is to buy safe face paint for your kids. There are brands that pledge they do not use lead and other heavy metals in their products.

Elegant Minerals is one great option. Their makeup and face paints do not contain potentially harmful products like heavy metals, parabens, fragrances, or synthetic dyes. GOOD NEWS: YOU CAN GET THEM BEFORE HALLOWEEN…and at a special discount I secured for Home Health Love readers! Two ways to order:

1. Amazon: they have several available kits on Amazon, including the Angel Fairy Princess set, the SCI-FI Robot set, or the Fantasy Butterfly set.
2. From their web site: Order HERE.  Enter coupon code Halloween15 for a 15% discount. They offer several expedited shipping options. If you order from their site before 4pm CST, they will ship out the face paints that day. Select Priority Shipping for 2-day shipping for $6.50 to get it before October 31st! (Overnight shipping is $19.50. If you need same-day/expedited shipping contact them at 719-205-4480 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST or include in the comments section on the site).

Another option is Go Green Face Paint, which you can buy on Amazon. 

Whichever option you buy, do your research, first. Read the product description and call the manufacturer if you have any doubts, and…Have a SAFE and fun Halloween!

P.S. This is an unbiased review. I am not receiving any reward from any of the manufacturers recommended above.