As October begins, many of us excitedly prepare for one of the best holidays of the year, Halloween. We spend days; or even weeks; planning parties, buying candy and hanging decorations. Many of us plan elaborate costumes and intricate makeup looks. As the big day approaches, Darabi Dermatology would like to warn you about an often overlooked horror: Halloween make up.
One study by researchers in Brazil, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2022), found that Halloween and costume makeup products often contain potentially toxic elements such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, and chromium. The researchers tested 95 samples of face paints and pancakes (a type of theatrical makeup that comes in a solid cake form and is applied with a damp sponge) sold for children and adults and discovered that levels of these metals were high enough to pose significant cancer risks. The risk was particularly for children who may accidentally ingest the products and for adults with frequent skin exposure during occupational use. The study highlighted that pancakes and certain colors, such as white, red, and blue, contained especially concerning concentrations, with arsenic alone contributing to about 90% of the estimated cancer risk. These findings suggest that the fun of costume makeup may come with hidden dangers, underscoring the need for stricter regulation and safer ingredient standards.
Steer clear of knock offs and counterfeit products, too. The FBI reports that counterfeit cosmetics and fragrances are increasingly entering the U.S., often sold online, at flea markets, or through unauthorized sellers. These fake products are not only fraudulent but also dangerous to our health. Counterfeit products often contain harmful chemicals including arsenic, beryllium and cadmium.
Watch out for the warning signs:
- off-color packaging
- “limited editions” that don’t exist
- suspiciously low prices
- differences in texture/scent
- sales at unauthorized locations
This Halloween, the scariest part of your costume shouldn’t be the ingredients in your makeup. Choosing trusted brands, buying only from authorized retailers, and patch testing before full application can help protect your skin and overall health. At Darabi Dermatology, we want you and your family to enjoy the fun of the season without hidden risks. Click here to check out our dermatologist approved skin care products on our website today!
Source Material:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9819701
https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/counterfeit-cosmetics-fragrances
