Dressing up for Halloween? How about the kids? Well, before you transform yourself into a pussycat, vampire or presidential nominee, check out what dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe has to say about Halloween makeup. It’s not necessarily what you want to put on your face, or your kids. But the following Halloween makeup safety tips will help ensure that all involved have a safer and more fun Halloween.
Scary Skin Facts:
Halloween makeup is inexpensive and contains harsh ingredients that can cause acne, rashes, inflamed skin, swollen eyelids and even severe blistering. If you plan on wearing bright, neon-type colors (fluorescent) or glow in the dark colors (luminescent) remember that neither are approved for use in the eye area.
Of the eight FDA-approved fluorescent dyes for use in cosmetics, not one is approved for use near the eyes and there is only one shade of luminescent dye approved by the FDA for cosmetic use but again, it is also not approved for use near the eye area.
And, let’s not forget the latex cosmetic skin (also called synthetic or prosthetic skin) which many people use to make their costumes extra creepy. These products are not safe for those with latex allergies so be sure you are not aggravating any pre-existing allergic conditions.
Terrifying Eye Facts:
If you opt for contact lenses this Halloween they should be prescribed by an eye doctor to ensure safety of the product itself and a proper fit for your particular eyes. Halloween “contact lenses,” [the kind you can purchase in a party store] are often very thick and do not allow adequate oxygen to reach your eye. Also, they are not fitted to your eye and can scratch your cornea.
Grizzly Fake Blood Facts:
Fake blood often contains red dye which reacts with the petroleum base. This can create a moderate to severe irritation. Dr. Bowe recommends a DIY solution to her patients: mix red food coloring, corn syrup and flour for a safe, but equally ghoulish, solution.
Dr. Bowe’s Advice:
Dr. Bowe recommends that her patients avoid Halloween makeup altogether and instead opt for theatrical makeup which is made with higher quality ingredients. Theatrical makeup is much less likely to cause reactions or to contain harmful heavy metals.
And, if you’ll be wearing makeup for Halloween, remove it safely. (The following tips are not from Dr. Bowe, for clarification.)
Body paint, fake blood, glue-on eyelashes, hair dyes and glitter are makeup staples at Halloween parties and even for kids’ costumes. But what goes on must come off – and that’s the scary part. Below are some of the worst Halloween makeup nightmares along with the products to take the “fright” out of the removal process.
Dissolve stubborn body and face paint in a flash, without irritating sensitive skin:
There’s a simple way to make this removal fast and easy. When you’re picking up your candy at the drugstore, grab a wash that’s made for sensitive skin. One to try: Sebamed Liquid Face & Body Wash. It’s an ultra-mild wash that’s pH balanced, made specifically for sensitive skin. Celebrity makeup artists actually love this product because it’s 2-in-1 (you can use on face and body) and it’s dermatologist approved to gently, safely remove tough makeup on ALL skin types. Just wet your skin with warm water, rub softly in circles wherever you have makeup and rinse off. Sebamed Liquid Face & Body Wash is available at SebamedUSA or get it below:
Remove false lashes and glitter eye makeup without rubbing or stinging eyes:
Treat the sensitive eye area sensitively. That means no rubbing, pulling or tugging at false eyelashes or hard-to-remove makeup. Instead, use a gentle eye makeup remover and a soft makeup remover pad. Apply the remover-soaked pad to the eye and let it go to work to loosen false eyelashes. After several moments, your falsies should be easy to remove without tugging. One to try: Merle Norman’s Dual Action Eye Makeup Remover is a 2-phase formula that loosens and then dissolves all forms of eye makeup. It works great on even waterproof, long-lasting and hard-to-remove formulas. Ophthalmologist tested. Safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. Oil-free. Available at Merle Normal locations through the U.S.
Implement simple bath time hacks that will save you from scrubbing, dealing with tangled and messy hair, and prevent leftover hair dye from staining clothes and sheets:
Swap out your everyday hair care for Fairy Tales Hair Care’s Tangle Tamers Line. Especially when paired together, the Static Free Shampoo, Static Free Conditioner and Detangling Spray improves manageability and prevents breakage. Its natural keratin and provitamin blend creates soft, shiny, tangle-free hair. As a plus, it’s also loaded with jojoba and aloe vera to gently cleanse and detangle. It’s also sulfate, paraben, gluten, nut, dairy and soy free. Fairy Tales Tangle Tamers Line is available at FairyTalesHairCare.com or get it below:
Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!
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