ABOUT
Smart discussion of the latest science and news on toxins in your food, water, and air, and what government agencies should be doing to protect public health. Written by EWG staff.
DONATE TO EWG!
Help us protect your health and environment! Please donate $5 to EWG today.
GET EWG'S TIPS & ACTION ALERTS
Sign Up here to receive email updates and tips from EWG and stay informed on the issues that matter most to you.
ENVIROBLOG VIA EMAIL
Join EWG's live chat with Chef Ann Cooper
School lunch: More fruits & veggies, please!
Texas Schools are Drilling for Dollars
Why do blowouts take so long to fix?
SEARCH ENVIROBLOG
FEATURED
Support the 2010 Safe Cosmetics Act. It's Urgent.
Why, oh why is there plastic in my aluminum water bottle?
Cell phone radiation series - Part 2: 8 Ways to reduce your exposure
Test Your Knowledge of Cosmetics Safety: 8 Myths Debunked
EWG's Tips for Parents: The Series
EWG's Tips to avoid BPA exposure
EWG on TV
Cutting the Pork from U.S. Farm Bill
Sunscreen safety & DC drinking water
Perchlorate in people, kids' personal care products & plastics, and sunscreen
BPA in baby formula & safe cosmetics
What can I do about fluoride in my water?
What is new carpet treated with? What can I do?
Are stainless steel water bottles safe?
Is mineral-based makeup safer?
PEOPLE TALKING TOXICS
TALK TO US
Did we miss something? Email Enviroblog.
« Cheatsheet: volatile organic compounds | Main | When government won't step in »
Making makeup safe for kids
So lets say, hypothetically, that your four year old has begun begging for a play makeup set. Some parents would react with a firm but gentle "no stinkin' way, sweetcheeks." I can understand that sentiment -- children grow up fast enough without the aid of adult trappings.
On the other hand, play makeup is a way for children to experiment with their identity. I had play makeup as a kid, and I turned out (arguably) alright. In fact, if I remember correctly, I lost interest in it after approximately 23 seconds. Except for the awesome peeling nail polish, which fascinated me. Goodness knows what was in that stuff.
In the end, whether or not to let a child use makeup for playtime is a personal decision for parents to make. But if you do decide to let 'em make themselves up, there are steps you can take to make it safer.
- No powders. Makeup in powder form is easily inhaled into little lungs, and can damage them. Opt instead for cream-based blushers and eye shadow.
- Phthalate and toluene-free nail polish. Dibutyl phthalate and toluene are common nail polish ingredients linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and allergies. [Skin Deep: Nail polishes without toluene or dibutyl phtalate.]
- Fragrance free. Fragrances are common allergens, and they usually contain phthalates. They also lurk in the strangest of places, so be sure to check the label. [Skin Deep: Fragrance-free makeup.]
- Easy on the lipstick. Because lipstick can contain some hidden nasties (like lead), and because little ones tend to eat almost as much as they put on their lips, it's best to avoid it altogether. Opt instead for a tasty, shiny, beeswax-based lip balm, or use the instructions in this article to make your own.
- Use common sense. It goes without saying that little ones shouldn't be allowed to play with eyeliner or mascara, and that those little tubs of cosmetic glitter, in the hands of a five year old, could spell disaster for the carpet. Be careful.
Armed with that list (and also possibly this one, which lists ingredients to watch out for), parents ought to be able to put together a play-makeup kit that would please even the pickiest kid -- without breaking the budget. But if that task seems too daunting, it seems at least one company is rising to the challenge of creating a safer play-makeup kit.
Anyone know of any other play-makeup kits for the eco-minded? How would you handle a child's request for makeup?
Photo by fazen.
Play make up is DISGUSTING.
What about BHP - a known skin depigmenting agent???
you didn't mention the fact that lots of the major cosmetic companies are also putting mercury in their products. That ought to be warning to everyone wearing it.
Minnesota is the only state to outlaw these products in their state. At least someone is on-the-ball.
My 13 year old daughter used a lip gloss from her friend, a birthday gift, after 2 days she woke with swollen lips that were so sore she was crying. The burn marks were harsh I was so disgusted how can a child related product do this?
I got her the lip gloss, certified organic and she had to apply it every hour, it made her lips feel much calmer. After the day the swell had gone down. Do not take the chance Take a look at what I bought. I will use this as a gift to all my children’s friends.
https://longevityforus.mionegroup.com/product/14200
I agree!! That is why I would only let a child use Arbonne's FYI line - it's SAFE, pure & beneficial. The FDA lease regulates the cosmetic industry so lord knows what is in everything else! What we put on our skin goes in our body - arbonne ONLY uses 100% botanically based ingredients, why take any other risk?
Arbonne products score from 0 (low hazard) to 6 (moderate hazard) in Skin Deep -- check it out here.
How safe are Mary Kay cosmetics?
is there any safe makeup for 11 year olds?
I am a make up artist in Hollywood and often have to use make up on children to cover blemishes scrapes or add cheek and lip color.
I have switched to all non toxic make up for the safety of all my clients.
Feel free to contact me for recommendations on what you and your family should use.
I have tried it all!!!
Just because a company/product receives a low score on Skin Deep does not mean that the product is safe at all. There are few points to keep in mind... 1) Skin Deep has only been able to review the "known" chemicals which may have received lower scores... however, the fact is that only 11% of all ingredients have even been tested for human safety, so many chemicals my "not have been assess or human safety" therefore receive low or no score. 2) In terms of chemicals, the better number to look at is the "Data Gap" in the top right corner. If that number is high, that suggests that little is known about the ingredient list. 3) Check the ingredients listed - if they are chemicals and the score is low but the data gap is high - that's a problem. 4) Are the ingredients plants, herbs, etc. If so, the database has not been built for such agricultural items. The database has been built for chemicals. Therefore, it is possible for a product certified organic to food grade standards to have a low score and high data gap. So, check if the product certified organic and/or can you identify and understand the ingredient list? 4) Finally, if you wouldn't eat it, don't put it on your skin!
Just looking at the score is not the "tell all" of the product safety. Skin Deep even discloses this in the FAQs.
Again, we need to be label readers!
I dont allow my daughter to use make up of any kid but her grandmother allows her to wear it even after i have asked her not to. She had a break out this weekend and grandma didnt even tell me about it my daughter did. I think children are being rushed to grow up these days and i wont allow my daughter to wear make up until atleat 13 maybe 15.