What's That On Your Face?

Halloween is just around the corner, and you know what that means, right? OK, sure, there will be lots of candy and all-around sugar, but I'm really talking about makeup.

More and more parents are foregoing the fancy masks in favor of makeup. There are lots of reasons for this trend, but one of the most obvious is safety. Masks, especially on younger children, can obstruct vision and even hamper breathing. Makeup solves these problems, so your little superhero can just paint his face blue and red rather than wearing that plastic Spiderman mask.

Of course, nothing can ever really be that simple. Makeup has its own unique set of potential problems. When we're talking about makeup and children, you are entering a Pandora's box-type setting of chemicals, additives, dyes and all sorts of other unseemly things that you may or may not want on, or even near, your child's face.

As adults, we're often on the prowl for safe, effective cosmetics. When it comes to children using makeup, though, the issue becomes even more important. Plenty of little girls like to play dress up and try on mommy's makeup, but how safe is this? Is it OK for Susie to use your foundation or lipstick? What if little Tommy wants to draw on a fake mustache with your eyebrow pencil? To help parents and other caregivers navigate the world of cosmetics and their kids, we've done some homework of our own to determine the safety associated with these products and our little imitators.

Mommy, Can I Borrow Your Lipstick?

When you think about little girls and makeup, the first thing that usually comes to mind is dress-up games. Little girls love pretending to be grownups, and what's more grown up than applying a face full of makeup?

Back in the 70s, most of us had our collections of Tinkerbell cosmetics. Our moms felt pretty OK with us using these cosmetics because they were made for kidsor so they thought. The ingredients in these old-time makeup products probably weren't the worst things in the world, but remember this was before the days of Red Dye #5 concerns, phthalates and others. Back then, if we tried on our mom's makeup, chances are we might have found eye shadows loaded with mercury (although today some mercury is still permitted to be used as a preservative in some eye colors, according to the FDA), creams laced with animal productsall sorts of things we'd raise our eyebrows at today.

Fast-forward to 2006. Today, organic products, chemical-free, all-natural cosmetics are all the rage. However, according to a report in Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgery (back in 1993), "Cosmetic products containing caustic chemicals represent a significant health risk to small children, especially because child-proof packaging is not standard for these products." So it seems that the biggest risk to children when it comes to makeup is the danger that they could swallow something. Putting these items on the face, most experts agree, rarely causes any long-term effects; however, allergies to certain ingredients can lead to other skin-related problems, such as exacerbation of eczema and other rashes.

So, what's a parent to do? If your little girl wants to wear makeup for play, your best bet is to try to find some kid-friendly cosmetics kits. Educational products stores and toys stores are good bets. OK, so what if your daughter only wants to wear Mommy's makeup? It's probably not going to hurt, as long as you purchase good-quality products made with safe ingredients. Of course, be sure that you supervise and also be sure to instruct your little one in the fine art of makeup removal. The biggest chance for skin irritation comes when makeup stays on too long or is removed improperly.

For that matter, many moms aren't even quite sure how to remove makeup properly. Forget oily, greasy products such as petroleum jelly and baby oil. Both can clog pores, but, more seriously, baby oil, if ingested, can seriously injure the lungs, sometimes resulting in death. Baby oil, if you must keep it in the house, should be kept well out of the reach of children. Fortunately, there is a host of products tailor-made for removing makeup and keeping your skin intact. We like B. Kamins Vegetable Cleanser, Rodial Glam Balm Wipes and Peter Thomas Roth Gentle Foaming Cleanser. All of these products are gentle enough to use on the eye area as well as the rest of the face. Be sure to remove any makeup before going to sleep each night.

Just for Kids

OK, so you're not too thrilled with the idea of letting your daughter raid your expensive collection of lipsticks. No problem. Fortunately, a few companies make kid-friendly cosmetics that are great for play, dress up and, that most important holiday, Halloween.

For some great options in costume makeup, check out your local costume or toy store. Around this time of year, they're typically stocked with experts who can show you safe and simple ways to create a Halloween masterpiece of makeup. If you happen to live on either of the coasts, check out a store that specializes in theatrical makeup. For everyday play and dress up, toy specialty stores usually have a good variety.

The best thing you can do for your kids' skin is to take care of it in the first place. Good-quality skin care products help keep your child's skin in the best shape possible, so even a little bit of makeup play won't cause any long-term damage. Doctor Bobby and California Baby are terrific lines, offering a variety of products ranging from cleansers, moisturizers and sunscreens to shampoos and "owie" treatments and have been created especially for kids. They use only all-natural ingredients that aren't tested on animals. For children who are highly allergic or have exquisitely sensitive skin, Free & Clear and Vanicream are other wonderful options.

So...fill up that candy bowl, put on the costumes and get ready for a great Halloween (just be sure to brush your teeth and wash your face after trick-or-treating)!

Robin Heinz Bratslavsky
DERMAdoctor Staff Writer

(Any topic discussed in this article is not intended as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, please check with your doctor.)

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