Halloween face paint danger

Ghosts and goblins might not be the only scary thing to watch out for this Halloween. Some face paint might contain lead, and other potentially dangerous heavy metals, according to a study from The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

"I probably wouldn't use any face paint at all. In fact these guys are going to go completely just normal," said Erica Moore, a local mother.

The health and environmental group tested 10 Halloween face paints at an independent lab. They all came back positive for lead.

Check out Heather's Natural Health to see how to reduce your kids' exposure to chemicals

"The first issue is lead poisoning which is a significant health risk for children, especially children under the age of six for their cognitive development," said Dr. Paul Lyons, a family health physician at Temple University Hospital.

He says the risk is usually associated with prolonged exposure, so one night of Halloween face paint probably won't be that dangerous.

"The only way to be 100 percent safe is to not have any exposure at all," said Dr. Lyons.

Tannia Schrieber's two-year-old son, Gabriel, is going to be a lion for Halloween, with no face paint. But the new report has her worried any way.

"It's sad because I kind of wonder if they're finding this out now how many other things are there that they're going to tell us next year is unsafe that we're using with our kids this year," said Tannia.

In addition to lead, the research also found nickel, cobalt, and chromium in some of the face paints, which can cause allergic reactions. And they're not listed on the packaging because cosmetics aren't regulated.

To read the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Report, Click Here.

Here are some natural alternatives to face paint:

Face Paint and Halloween Makeup

To avoid heavy metals and other potentially harmful unknown ingredients in traditional Halloween face paint, try making your own using food-based ingredients. Remember, foods can cause allergies in some kids: always test your concoctions on a small patch of skin and read up on natural food colorings before sending your little ghouls out for a night of painted fun. And don't forget that some foods can stain skin and clothes.


Face Paint Made with Natural Food Coloring

Natural food coloring is available at health food stores and typically derived from foods and spices. We recommend reading up about natural food colorings and potential allergies first. Do not substitute conventional food coloring, which may contain synthetic chemical ingredients.

Ingredients:
-Base of safe, unscented lotion (search Skin Deep for safe options) OR pure cocoa butter (available at health food stores) OR safe, fluoride-free toothpaste (search Skin Deep; avoid mint flavors, as they can make skin tingly)
-Natural food coloring (see note above)

Instructions:
Mix a few drops of natural food coloring into the base ingredient of your choice. Test on a small patch of skin before applying to face or body.


Face Paint Made with Food

Make sure young children understand they can't eat these paints unless you make them without the base. Test a small patch of skin first to make sure your child isn't allergic to the food you're using.

Ingredients:
-Base of safe, unscented lotion (search Skin Deep for safe options) OR pure cocoa butter (available at health food stores) OR safe, fluoride-free toothpaste (search Skin Deep; avoid mint flavors, as they can make skin tingly)
-Turmeric, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, beets, avocado, spirulina, cocoa, chocolate sauce, squid ink or other colorful foods, juices, herbs and spices

Instructions:
Yellow: Add 1/4 tsp. and a large pinch of stale turmeric to base.

Pink: Using a sieve, mash the juice from 3 fresh or thawed frozen raspberries, blackberries or beets directly into the base. Or, use a deeply colored berry juice or puree.

Mint green: With a fork, mash 1/4 of a small avocado until creamy. Mix this into your base.

Emerald green: Add small amount spirulina or bright green chlorophyll to base.

Purple: Using a sieve, mash the juice from several fresh or frozen blueberries into the base. Or, use blueberry juice.

Brown: Add cocoa powder or chocolate sauce to base.

Black: Use a small amount of squid ink in base for true black.

White: Mix powdered sugar and water.