Children and parents alike typically enjoy the colorful flourish that face painting brings to parties and events. Face painting has become such a common staple at gatherings that self styled face painting artists abound. Therefore, most party organizers can find "talent" from among their office staff, neighbors or those who run in a familiar networking circle willing to face paint either for hire or as a volunteer. It is important to verify that the products all face painters use are safe as well as colorful.
As professional party entertainers and face painters we can say with confidence that all of our products contain ingredients that are cosmetic grade and FDA approved. However, not all products are created equal. Unfortunately, not everyone realizes that products too frequently assumed to be safe (including those labeled "non-toxic") are neither ideal nor particularly safe for use on skin, especially on our children's faces.
Just because a product is labeled "non-toxic", it shouldn't be assumed that it's appropriate for face painting. Non-toxic may not mean that it has been specifically tested for use on skin. Research has shown that the skin is very active in metabolizing (biologically altering) chemicals and that these metabolic processes affect the way the body absorbs (or does not absorb) a particular chemical. Sweat glands, sebaceous glands (which produce oils), and hair follicles can all contribute to the way chemicals are absorbed through the skin.
In addition, the skin of babies and small children may allow more chemicals to pass through than the skin of adults. Check the Summary of Color Additives on the FDA's website. There's a section especially on colors for cosmetics. If there's a color in your makeup that isn't on this list, the company that made it is not compliant to relevant law. Don't use it. Even if it's on the list, check to see if it has FDA's OK for use near the eyes. If it doesn't, it's best kept it away from your children's eyes.
Products that makeup artists and better face painters use are specifically designed for use on skin. The same can be said for glitter, which should be cosmetic grade-made of polyester, for this particular application. Again, uninformed (if well intentioned) entertainers sometimes use craft glitter made of metal shavings for application to skin and this is not ideal or optimally safe as it could get in and scratch a child's eye.
With lead tainted paint in toys and the many other recalls on the news regularly, we have enough to watch out for as parents. Granted. However, parents should be informed in order to be able to make the best choices for their children.
The easy solution is simply asking whoever is doing the face painting at your event about the products they use. Is your face paint designed for this purpose? Have you researched the products and evaluated the ingredients to be certain that it is appropriate for this application?
Volunteers at events (and sometimes professionals we've seen at events) often have simply not done due diligence in covering their bases and checking into product design to assure that it is the right stuff. We've been at one event where an artistically talented and well intentioned physician was using acrylic craft paint to paint faces, unaware of the questionable contents of the product. In this instance, when informed, he was surprised and welcomed the advice regarding switching to safe products.
That said many more face painting artists that we have seen at events our children have attended have used the very best and safest products. Clearly the message here is to check to confirm what you are getting. It is also recommended that your party or event entertainers are licensed and insured as a further measure of protection for you and your family or for your company if face painters are involved at your company events realizing that liability may also be assumed by whoever hosts or sponsors parties or events where face painters work. This may increase exposure to hosts where face painters are not properly insured and licensed.
It is often assumed that your entertainers and face painters are using the most suitable products and that they are insured. Everyone knows the old adage about assuming. Children should both have fun and be assured of their safety at celebrations and where face paints are involved this happy ending is best assured through verification.
