Children like to copy the behaviors they see in the adults they admire. Kids like to play the teacher with their stuffed animals, dig in the garden with their toy trowels, cook with play kitchen toys, and dress up like grownups. This certainly can include painting their little faces with toy makeup. But, unlike toddler tools and children’s camping gear, toy makeup may be unsafe for kids.
Toy makeup?
The first thing to consider is whether you give your child old makeup from your makeup bag or makeup sets intended for children. Makeup intended for adults may be safe for grownups but not children. Kids are more susceptible to toxicity than adults. Their delicate skin may absorb more of the ingredients than adult skin. Little children may use more makeup than a teen or adult would, applying liberal streaks of lipstick and eye shadow all over their faces.
They’re also more likely to put the makeup in their mouths, whether intentionally or by accident.
The FDA surveyed heavy metals in cosmetics, including arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, mercury, and nickel, and found that many cosmetics had these elements present in small quantities. However, they were testing for these minerals with adults in mind, not children.
Are children’s toy makeup kits a better choice, then? Not necessarily. Tests of kids’ makeup kits have found high levels of asbestos, endocrine disrupters, carcinogens, and heavy metals. The regulation of these toys is limited, and many sets are made overseas, where regulation may be even more limited.
Playing dress-up safely
If you decide to allow kids to use makeup, either toy makeup or products from your own collection, follow some simple rules:
- Read the labels. Toy makeup labels won’t list arsenic contamination, but they may show that their products contain Polymethyl methacrylate, formaldehyde, or endocrine-active parabens.
- Supervise kids’ use of cosmetics of all kinds. Make sure kids don’t ingest lip balm and other sweet-smelling products.
- Avoid full-face painting, even for Halloween or stage plays.
- Wash up afterward with soap and water. Children can have fun painting their faces and then wash off the chemicals before they have too much exposure.
If you have concerns about toy makeup safety, check in with your child’s pediatrician.
Image courtesy of Adobe.
FAQs
Toxic Ingredients You Need To Watch Out For
Is toy makeup safe? ›
Prior research has shown that these products often have toxic chemicals, like lead, asbestos, PFAS, phthalates, and formaldehyde in them. Toxic chemicals found in children's makeup and body products (CMBP), like heavy metals, are especially harmful to infants and children.
Is it safe for kids to use makeup? ›
Children are particularly vulnerable to adverse health risks associated with makeup and body products. Behavioral patterns such as hand-to-mouth activity may increase exposure to products through ingestion.
Is it okay to let my 5 year old play with makeup? ›
Always supervise your child whenever she plays with makeup. You may want to limit her use of lipstick and gloss because these can contain unsafe levels of lead for a child. Never let her use kohl eyeliner, which has been linked to lead poisoning in children.
What's in children's makeup? ›
Traditional makeup products – for both adults and kids – often contain harmful chemicals such as lead, phthalates and formaldehyde. These chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and have been linked to various health problems such as cancer, hormone disruption and developmental delays.
Is talc safe in kids makeup? ›
They are often made from cheap and potentially hazardous ingredients, including asbestos, lead and other chemicals of concern. Use Skin Deep® to make sure you are choosing the safest makeup for your child to use. Avoid powders, especially any that contain talc.
Should I let my 7 year old wear makeup? ›
One professor says it's good for kids to participate in self-expression and take pride in their bodies because it allows them to develop their own identities. However, it is important for parents to teach children that makeup is merely a form of play or a way to enhance one's appearance.
What age should a kid get makeup? ›
There is no set age to use cosmetic products, it all depends on personal preference, comfort, and possibly some rules that are set by the parents or guardians. Many kids experiment in their early teens and some wait until they are a bit older, it all depends on the individual.
Do most US children use potentially toxic makeup often during play? ›
Fifty-four percent of children said they used these items at least monthly, while 12 percent reported utilizing them daily, according to the study. Twenty-two percent of kids said that they use the products for more than eight hours at a time.
Is Colourpop ok for kids? ›
While Color Pop is a fun and harmless app for kids to use, there are some potential dangers that parents should be aware of. The app is not designed specifically for children, so it is important for parents to supervise their kids when they are using it.
Let pre-teens and young tweens experiment with tinted moisturizer, light lip tint or gloss, and a brow pencil/pomade. Skip heavy foundation and lipstick for this age group. Allow 12-13 year olds to use concealer for blemishes, eye shadow, eyeliner, powder for oily skin, and a light coat of mascara.
What are Sephora kids? ›
FP Explainers March 13, 2024, 20:24:14 IST. A new fad 'Sephora kids' has gained traction on social media. It shows children as young as 10 swarming expensive beauty stores like Sephora and sharing videos showing off their long skin-care routines.
What are the effects of makeup for kids? ›
Research shows children are vulnerable to adverse health risks associated with makeup and body products; experts note regulations are needed to check the unsupervised use of cosmeceuticals by children and adolescents. The growing obsession with cosmetics among children is worrying doctors.
Is Claire's makeup safe for kids? ›
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has once again found asbestos in children's makeup products. National cosmetics and accessories retailer Clair's APO, -0.55% and makeup company Beauty Plus Global issued recalls last week after the FDA found the cancer-causing toxin in some products.
Is asbestos still used in makeup? ›
Asbestos ends up in makeup because of poor regulations involving cosmetic-grade talc, which is also known as talcum powder. Talc and asbestos are minerals that form together. That means talc mined for commercial uses can be contaminated with asbestos — a known cause of lung cancer and mesothelioma.
What age is appropriate for play makeup? ›
There is no set age to use cosmetic products, it all depends on personal preference, comfort, and possibly some rules that are set by the parents or guardians. Many kids experiment in their early teens and some wait until they are a bit older, it all depends on the individual.
Is Halloween makeup safe? ›
Many Halloween makeup products are not designed for everyday use and can contain harsh chemicals and dyes that may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. It's crucial to test any new makeup products on a small patch of skin before applying it to your face to check for any adverse reactions.
Is makeup from Claire's safe? ›
Asbestos has again been found in makeup sold at Claire's, highlighting a disturbing 'black hole' in beauty-product safety. The US Food and Drug Administration barely regulates the cosmetics industry: just 11 ingredients are forbidden in cosmetic products in the US. In Europe, more than 1,300 compounds are barred.
Can you put real makeup on dolls? ›
Some people leave them the way they come and add real makeup to their dolls, and others remove the face paint and completely repaint their dolls. If you wish to use real "human" makeup on your doll (on top of the default painting) you can use blush and eyeshadow, but NOT lipstick (it gets gunky on the doll.)
