IN WITH THE NEW: Halloween Makeup
Welcome to my weekly featured ”IN WITH THE NEW” CLEAN SWAP! This week we are taking a closer look at Kids’ Halloween Makeup and face paint!
I’m always fielding questions from clients and friends about how they can swap out some of their favorite products for safer, toxin-free options without a loss in quality, taste, or performance (depending on the product). Every week, I cover food, cosmetics, personal care, cleaning and laundry products, and even behavior, so if you enjoy these Clean Swap features, please follow me on Instagram and sign up for my 360° OF WELLNESS Newsletter (⬅️by clicking on this link to the left) so that you never miss a new one.
LET’S TALK HALLOWEEN MAKEUP🧟♀️
Halloween is around the corner and it’s time choose a costume for your little one(s). Whether they are going to be witches, goblins, kitties, or the Joker, you’ll agonize over the perfect outfit and watch a mass of YouTube face painting tutorials to get it just right. Your kids are going to be the cat’s meow! Look out Instagram!
SO WHAT’S SO BAD HALLOWEEN MAKEUP? 💁♀️
Just when you thought that the scariest thing about Halloween was the cavities, the Breast Cancer Fund, spearheaded by the organization’s Campaign for Safe Cosmetics put out a report, called Pretty Scary 2: Unmasking toxic chemicals in kids’ makeup (if you’re a parent, this is a MUST-READ!).
This report analyzed more than 120 individual products from 93 cosmetic kits and exposed terrifying facts about children’s cosmetic products (e.g., did you know that breast cancer in adulthood has been linked to exposure to toxic ingredients at a younger age?).
I know what you’re thinking:
Urgh! <insert eye roll here> She’s going to take all the fun out of Halloween. I mean, what’s so bad about painting my kid’s entire face in green paint once or twice a year?
Ok, I get it. It’s easier to stick your head in the sand than face the ugly truth sometimes, but at what cost? How many times a year is it safe to slather your child in a substance that commonly contains heavy metals like lead, known carcinogens (i.e., cancer-causing ingredients), and hormone disruptors? Once? Twice? Once a week?
If you said zero, that would be the correct answer. These chemicals are harmful to adults’ health, but especially dangerous for young, developing bodies. Lead, for example affects “virtually every system in the body,” but it’s especially harmful to the developing brain and nervous system of young children. In fact, there is NO SAFE LEVEL of lead, which accumulates in the body over time. After all, if you wouldn’t paint your walls with paint that contained lead, why would you paint your kid’s face with it?
Oh and by the way, kids don’t just paint their face once a year. They use play make up and get their faces painted at birthday parties and carnivals more often than you’d like to admit. Moreover, kids are being exposed to the same toxic chemicals from a range of sources if you don’t read labels and aren’t vigilant about filling your home with safer products (e.g., exposure to formaldehyde could result from a toy make-up kit, bubble bath, shampoo, body wash and body lotion), so anything you use just increases their little bodies’ toxic load.
And worst of all, children’s makeup is cheap (after all, who wants to spend a lot on play makeup?) and most of it is made in China, where there are no standards or rules… and to add insult to injury, we don’t have that many rules over here either. Congress hasn’t passed a law governing the $100 billion beauty industry since 1938!
You know who’s responsible for overseeing consumer safety and labeling honesty and transparency?
The companies themselves and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, a “third-party” review body that just happens to be funded by the industry. Isn’t that kind of like having wolves overseeing the well-being of sheep? It’s no surprise that so many products are mislabled, misbranded, falsely packaged, and contain downright dangerous, cancer-causing ingredients that we think are safe enough to put on our kids. Just look at what happened when asbestos was found in Claire’s eyeshadows specifically marketed to children!
And what about those imports from China?
Well, there are over three million (and growing) shipments of cosmetics—lipsticks, eyeliners, nail polish, face powders, tattoo inks and other products—coming from various countries each year (I assume the bulk of these from China), an amount that has doubled over the last decade. These products came from 181 countries last year, sent by 29,000 foreign companies, few of which are registered with the FDA, because they are not required to do so. Of these three million imported cosmetics shipments, only 0.3% (less than 10,000) were inspected 15% of inspected products resulted in “adverse findings” (e.g., bacterial contamination, illegal color additives that can cause skin or eye injuries, ingredients that were not on the label as required, and unsafe chemical substances like MERCURY!😱).
Why were so few products inspected? Because the FDA has just six inspectors who monitor this sea of imports coming in each year. So that stuff you’re using on your kids face could contain mercury, and formaldehyde, and God-knows what else, because NO ONE IS CHECKING!
So what kinds of ingredients should you look out for? Here are some of the scariest ones, with the number in parentheses indicating the percentage of face paints/kids products that tested positive for that specific chemical (and don’t forget that these toxins could be present but just not listed on the label, because no oversight!):
🚫 ARSENIC (8%) is a dangerous heavy metal present in 4 of the 48 face paints tested, with dangerous levels, ranging from 1.1 to 1.9 ppm. According to the CDC, inorganic arsenic and arsenic compounds are considered to be carcinogenic (i.e., cancer-causing!). Large doses of inorganic arsenic can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and shock.
🚫 LEAD (20%) is another heavy metal that tends to be found more commonly and in higher levels in darkly pigmented face paints and cosmetics. Lead exposure increases the risk for damage to the brain and nervous system, slowed growth and development, learning and behavior problems (including lower IQ, ADHD symptoms, juvenile delinquency, and criminal behavior) as well as speech and hearing issues. Worst yet, for lead, there is NO SAFE LEVEL!
🚫 CADMIUM (30%) can cause learning disabilities in children at exposure levels previously considered to be without adverse effects. What's horrifying is that these levels are now common among children in the U.S.
🚫 CHROMIUM (27%) is used as a colorant and can be toxic to non-reproductive organ systems. Studies have clearly established that inhaled chromium is a human carcinogen, leading to an increased risk of lung cancer.
🚫 PARABENS (34%) are preservatives found in almost every personal care product on the market and known to interfere with hormone function, which can lead to early puberty in children & an increased risk of hormonal cancer. It has been linked to male reproductive issues, an increased risk of breast cancer, birth defects, and organ toxicity.
🚫 FORMALDEHYDE (3%) is classified as a “probable human carcinogen.” It’s directly capable of causing cancer in living tissue. It can also cause a burning sensation in the eyes, nose and throat as well as coughing, wheezing, nausea and skin irritation.
🚫 VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOCs) (25%) are extremely dangerous chemicals that evaporate at room temperature. These are emitted by a wide array of products used in homes, including air fresheners, aeorsol sprays cans, cleaners and disinfectants, paints and lacquers, paint strippers, varnishes, glues, pesticides, building materials and even furnishings. VOCs are released from products into the home both during use and while stored. While a strong smell is a sure signal to be careful, these chemicals can still be present and cause damage even at concentrations that you cannot smell or perceive. According to the EPA, VOCs can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, frequent headaches, nausea, and can also damage the liver, kidney and central nervous system. Products like flavored lip balms are most likely to contain VOCs.
🚫 ETHOXYLATED INGREDIENTS (28%) produce a carcinogenic byproduct is created called 1,4-dioxane, during processing. Traces of this carcinogen are found in many cosmetic and personal care products, even “natural” ones. These toxic contaminants have been linked to breast cancer and other types of cancers.
🚫 TALC (18%) is used in cosmetics as an absorbent and to smooth and soften products. It may be contaminated with asbestos and has been classified as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It has been linked to ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer. Inhalation, which can lead to respiratory distress, mesothelioma and inflammation, is also a serious concern.
🚫 FRAGRANCE or PARFUM (50%) should just be listed on the ingredients label as “hidden toxins.” Fragrance is packed with dangerous, synthetic chemicals, such as phthalates, which are powerful hormone disruptors linked to pre-term births, birth defects, decreased sperm counts, reduced female fertility, and a worsening of allergy and asthma symptoms. However, fragrance, an innocuous but misleading term is meant to hide hundreds of these ingredients because they are considered “trade secrets” in the eyes of the government, which seems to place the interests of the corporation above the safety of us, the consumers.
🚫 SILICA (14%) is used as an absorbent, nonsurfactant, and thickener. It may be toxic to the liver, respiratory system, and kidneys.
READY FOR THE CLEAN SWAP?🙋♀️
Yes, there are alternatives!!!
If you’re already putting a lot of thought (and you should be!) about what goes into your kids’ mouths on a daily basis, you should very seriously consider what goes on their skin, which almost immediately absorbs ingredients into their bloodstream and organs.
So what can you do?
Steer clear of dangerous kids’ makeup like Halloween face paints and cheap cosmetics marketed to children
Get into the habit of reading ingredients and look up products’ safety ratings in the EWG’s Skindeep database.
Unless you know for sure that a face paint or other product coming in direct contact with your child is safe and free of health hazardous ingredients, avoid it completely.
Carefully review the products that are already in your home and determine to make better, more informed choices moving forward.
Let your kids be kids and delay introducing them to color cosmetics, hair dye, nail polish, and lipstick.
But what about that adorable Halloween costume?
Stick to costumes that don’t require face paints or makeup, especially avoiding the use of darkly pigmented products.
If make up is required, make sure it’s a clean brand, like Beautycounter, that doesn’t contain harmful, red list ingredients .
Try a DIY face paint recipe or enhancing the costume with a mask, ears, or some other accessories.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE CLEAN BRAND?
Send me a message or leave a comment below and share what it is. If I feature it, I’ll give you credit and may even send you a free gift!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Victoria Gregory is an Integrative Nutritionist and founder of NEWTRITION NEWYOU. Her focus—whether with private clients, readers of her blog, or her followers on social media— is whole body wellness, incorporating whole-food nutrition, supplementation, exercise, toxin-free living, and mindset coaching. Victoria’s personal mission is to help make the world a healthier place, one person at a time, and she has helped thousands of people find joy and self-love through better eating habits and mindfulness. Learn more about Victoria.
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TERMINOLOGY
🚫 ACETALDEHYDE is classified as a “likely human carcinogen” and is connected to allergies, asthma, cancer, and skin and respiratory irritation. It can also cause harm to our reproductive systems.
🚫 ACIDIC STABILIZING AGENTS make most mouthwashes as acidic as vinegar. Acid is one of the most corrosive substances in nature and studies show that rinsing your mouth with a mouthwash that contains a high concentration of acid causes a drastic increase in enamel loss, weakening teeth, making them more susceptible to tooth decay, and increasing sensitivity to hot and cold.
🚫 ALCOHOL can irritate oral tissues and cause dry mouth, which can ironically be one of the causes of bad breath. It can also cause sensitivity to the root surfaces of the teeth and wash away your teeth’s protective shield. This loss of protective mucous and saliva can lead to an especially vicious cycle where your teeth stain and build up plaque more easily, decay faster and cause bad breath, leading you to use more mouthwash, which just makes the problem worse. Worst of all, some studies suggest a link between alcohol-containing mouthwash and oral cancer.
🚫 BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) is a toluene-based synthetic preservative (toluene was rated 37th most toxic chemical by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry in 1992) that’s used as a preservative in personal care products. It can mimic estrogen and is a known endocrine disruptor. It is also a possible carcinogen and has been linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity.
🚫 CHLORHEXIDINE can temporarily alter your sense of taste, and isn’t recommended for long-term use.
🚫 COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE is a surfactant and has been associated with irritation and allergic contact dermatitis.
🚫 FD&C COLORS are derived from coal tar, a petroleum byproduct. Some coal tar dyes have been linked to cancer. Others have been associated with thyroid & kidney tumors, allergic reactions, and hyperactivity.
🚫 FLAVORS, both artificial and natural, are “catch-all” terms for hundreds of undisclosed chemicals that are concocted in a lab. These ingredients are considered proprietary (just like those in fragrance or parfum) and not disclosed either on the label or to a customer who inquires – so we have no clue what is in them. The only difference between natural and artificial flavors, is that natural flavors are derived from things found in nature, which isn’t necessarily a good thing (psst: lead and arsenic are also natural).
🚫“NATURAL FLAVORS” that you might find interesting:
🚫 The ingredients in natural flavors are considered proprietary (just like those in fragrance or parfum) and not disclosed either on the label or to a customer who inquires – so we have no clue what is in them.
🚫 Each natural flavor may contain up to 100 ingredients, including synthetic chemicals such as the solvent propylene glycol, the preservative BHA, and GMO-derived ingredients (unless organic or Non-GMO Project verified).
🚫 The only difference between natural and artificial flavors, is that natural flavors are derived from things found in nature, which isn’t necessarily a good thing (psst: lead and arsenic are also natural).
🚫 The loophole is that for non-organic foods, regulations do not restrict the dozens of other ingredients (e.g., preservatives or solvents) that can go into a so-called “natural flavor.” In other words, you’ll never know what’s in that can of pamplemousse.
🚫 They can also legally contain naturally occurring “glutamate” by-products that act like MSG, which is an excitotoxin. Excitotoxins make food irresistible to eat but may lead to strokes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, obesity, migraines, fatigue, and depression.
🚫 Flavors are designed to have addictive qualities and increase food cravings. They trick your brain into thinking it’s hungry for more. If you experience increased food cravings while guzzling down drinks full of “natural flavors,” you may want to switch to another beverage.
🚫 FLUORIDE is a known neurotoxin and is linked to IQ loss and ADHD. It’s also an endocrine disruptor and slowly kills off the thyroid (it's original use was to treat hyperthyroidism—an overactive thyroid—and it slows down thyroid function), which regulates all of the body’s metabolic processes. Not only will a sluggish thyroid make you fat and tired, but it will make you sick too.
🚫 FRAGRANCE (aka “secret toxins”) can hide hundreds of ingredients bc the FDA considers them to be “trade secrets.” However, these are dangerous synthetic chemicals, such as phthalates, powerful hormone disruptors linked to birth defects, reduced fertility, liver and breast cancer, diabetes, obesity, and worsening allergy & asthma symptoms. Even "fragrance-free" or "unscented" products may contain fragrance along with a masking agent that prevents the brain from perceiving odor.
🚫 FRAGRANCE (or parfum) is a “catch-all” term that represents a complex cocktail of dozens of potentially harmful chemicals. Fragrance is an obvious ingredient in perfumes, colognes, and deodorants, but it's also used in nearly every type of personal care (and cleaning) product. Even products marketed as "fragrance-free" or "unscented" may contain fragrance along with a masking agent that prevents the brain from perceiving odor.
🚫 ARTIFICIAL FOOD DYES are present in nearly all mouthwash brands. For instance, Cool Mint Listerine contains Green 3, which has been linked to bladder cancer. Original Scope contains Yellow 5, made from a coal tar derivative, and Blue 1, which has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals.
🚫 FORMALDEHYDE (aka quanternium-15) is classified as a “probable human carcinogen” and can cause a burning sensation in the eyes, nose and throat as well as coughing, wheezing, nausea and skin irritation.
🚫 GLYCOLS, like propylene glycol (frequently found in antifreeze and brake fluid), butylene glycol, and ethylene glycol help the skin retain and absorb moisture, and allow liquids to spread more evenly. They’ve been linked with dry skin, rashes, and dermatitis, and high levels may contribute to blood and kidney disorders.
🚫 HYDROXYCITRONELLAL is an odorant used in perfume. It has been linked to allergies and immunotoxicity. EWG rates it a 7 (on a scale from one to ten, with one being the safest and 10 being the most harmful).
🚫 ISOPENTANE is a solvent that helps some ingredients dissolve into others. It can cause dry skin, contact dermatitis, dizziness, headaches, and nose and throat irritation.
🚫 ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE is comedogenic and may bind to nitrates in the body (nitrates are carcinogens).
🚫 MINERAL OIL is a byproduct of petroleum (Yes, that's right, gasoline!). Mineral oils clog pores, increase skin irritation, and can be carcinogenic. Unlike other oils such as jojoba which have nutrients that benefit the skin, mineral oils actually encourage skin to close up, making it difficult for the skin to release naturally occurring toxins This can lead to increased infections and acne breakouts. It’s used because it's a cheap carrier, which means that it creates “slip” thereby assisting with “spreadability.”
🚫 OCTYL STEARATE is comedogenic (blocks pores) and an irritant.
🚫 PALMITIC ACID is an emulsifier, which keeps formulas evenly mixed. It has been linked with contact dermatitis, an allergic reaction in the skin.
🚫 PARABENS disrupt our hormonal balance which can lead to early puberty in children & an increased risk of hormonal cancers. Also linked to birth defects & organ toxicity.
🚫 PEG-10 DINETHICONE & CETYL PEG/PEG-10/1 DIMETHICONE otherwise known as “ethoxylated compounds,” which produce a carcinogenic byproduct is created called 1,4-dioxane, during processing. Traces of this carcinogen are found in many cosmetic and personal care products, even “natural” ones. 1,4-dioxane can be reduced or removed from a product via a vacuum-stripping process, but independent tests show that many manufacturers fail to do so.
🚫 PHTHALATES likely won’t see this on any ingredient label because it’s usually hidden within the category of Fragrance or Parfum. Phthalates have been linked to asthma, ADHD, breast cancer, obesity and type II diabetes, low IQ, neurodevelopmental issues, behavioral issues, autism spectrum disorders, altered reproductive development and male fertility issues.
🚫 PHTHALATES are usually concealed within the category of “Fragrance,” but they are powerful hormone disruptors linked to pre-term births, birth defects, decreased sperm counts, reduced female fertility, and a worsening of allergy and asthma symptoms.
🚫 POLYETHYLYNE GLYCOL (PEG) is often contaminated with carcinogens.
🚫 POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE (PTFE) is the same chemical used to make Teflon, the non-stick surface in cookware and has been linked with osteoarthritis, heart disease, early-onset menopause, and breast cancer.
🚫 POLYSORBATE 20 can be contaminated with a dangerous carcinogen & has been linked to skin allergies (razor rash anyone?).
🚫 SODIUM BENZOATE can create free radicals in the body, destroying mitochondrial DNA, speeding up the body's natural aging process. When combined with vitamin C (ascorbic acid) or citric acid, it forms benzene, a known carcinogen.
🚫 SODIUM HYDROXYMETHYLGLYCINATE masquerades as a ‘natural preservative’ but can cause skin and eye irritations. It's has been found to contain formaldehyde (added during processing) and may break down into formaldehyde once it has permeated the skin.
🚫 SODIUM LAURYL SULPHATE is a cleansing and foaming ingredient linked with dry skin, rashes, dermatitis, and impaired hair growth. It is a known irritant and has been shown to cause mouth inflammation and worsen mouth ulcers.
🚫 SODIUM SACCHARIN, a synthetic ingredient, manufactured from petroleum products. It is a possible carcinogen and has been linked to bladder cancer in animals.
🚫 SULFATES (aka sulphates, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, SLS or SLES) are harsh, corrosive products in many personal care products. These are cleansing and foaming ingredients have been linked with dry skin, rashes, dermatitis, and impaired hair growth. Additionally, lauryl mimics estrogen, which is especially problematic for women, and laureth often hosts a known carcinogen called dioxane.
🚫 TITANIUM DIOXIDE is a concern for cancer & organ system toxicity.
🚫 TOCOPHERYL ACETATE is a skin toxicant and allergen that may be linked to cancer.
🚫 TRIETHANOLAMINE (TEA) is an emulsifying agent, meaning it helps keep the oil and water from separating. TEA along with cousins DEA (diethanolamine) and MEA (monoethanolamine), are often found in products that foam, including shave creams and gels. They have been linked with hormone disruption, and can form cancer-causing nitrates and nitrosamines. They can also be readily absorbed in the skin.