Before you put on that fake blood, pale green face paint, or facial glitter glue for that big Halloween party, you might want to read the ingredients list.
Joel Schlessinger, a board-certified dermatologist, recently pointed out in a Huffington Post article some of the problems seen in conventional Halloween makeup. He notes that this makeup often contains artificial dyes, fragrances, waxes and oils, all of which can clog pores, cause breakouts and irritate skin. He further adds that some face paint and dyes could cause severe reactions around the eyes, nose and mouth.
Super Glue in Eyelash Adhesives
If you read the labels on some of these makeup glues, you may be shocked to find that they contain the same ingredients used in super glue. Needless to say, if you’re using these glues, or even safer, non-toxic glues to attach fake eyelashes, beards/mustaches or long nails, make sure you don’t get any in your eyes or around your lips. The fake lashes should always be glued to your real lashes, not your actual eye lid.
Carcinogens, Lead in Children’s Face Paint
Safe Cosmetics notes that some children’s face paint contains a number of carcinogens (cancer causing ingredients). Equally troublesome were their warnings that children’s cosmetics and masks showed high traces of lead, creating the potential for lead poisoning. Safe Cosmetics recommends reading the ingredients and avoiding products with formaldehyde, “phenacetin, coal tar, benzene, untreated or mildly treated mineral oils, ethylene oxide, chromium, cadmium and its compounds, arsenic and crystalline silica.” The CDC recommends you perform a 24-hour patch test before applying any makeup on your child’s face or other area of skin. If the area suffers from redness or itching, don’t use the makeup. Also check out our guide for finding non-toxic ways to paint your face for Halloween.
Formaldehyde in Fake Nails
If you’re thinking of adding those long fake nails to your own, beware that the chemicals used to apply, say acrylic nails, have resins and formaldehyde—both are carcinogenic. According to Schlessinger, if left on your nails for a long enough time, formaldehyde can damage the nail matrix, causing the entire nail to fall off. Talk about a scary outcome. Best simply to use regular nail polish.
Bleaches, Toxins in Wigs & Hair Dye
As noted in Parent Herald, some of the crazy wigs you pick up at the Halloween costume shop have vinyl and lead paint, which can be frightfully toxic to your skin. The more you perspire, the more lead you’ll absorb. And if you’re going to dye your hair a shock pink or blood red, many of these dyes contain way too much bleach that will brittle out your hair. Better to create your own natural dyes with vegetable and fruit colorings.
Final Note
Schlessinger advises those who wear Halloween makeup to use products that are oil-free, alcohol-free and non-comedogenic with a water base. Instead of costume cosmetics, opt for theater or mineral makeup, which remains on top of the skin rather than being absorbed by it.
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