HPRA urges care when purchasing children’s face paints this Halloween

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is urging parents and guardians to take extra care this Halloween when purchasing children’s face paints and other Halloween cosmetics. Over the past two years, the HPRA has sampled 40 individual face paint products through its targeted, risk-based market surveillance and sampling programme. Seven were found to be non-compliant with EU cosmetic requirements and were removed from the Irish market. While the sampling covers selected products from the wider market and is therefore not a measure of overall market compliance, the findings highlight the important role of targeted surveillance in protecting consumers by identifying and removing non-compliant products.

While cosmetic products sold in the European Union must meet strict safety requirements, products purchased from unknown or unverified sources, including some online marketplaces, may not comply with EU legislation and could pose risks to consumer health.

Through national cosmetic surveillance programmes, the HPRA contributes to the monitoring of all cosmetic products placed on the market including the monitoring of cosmetic ingredients and emerging safety issues, helping to ensure that products available to consumers meet the required safety and regulatory standards. In the lead-up to Halloween, the HPRA undertakes targeted market surveillance activities focusing on face paints and other children’s cosmetic products that experience a seasonal increase in demand. 

Although the vast majority of cosmetic products available through reputable retailers comply with regulatory requirements, the HPRA is advising parents to remain vigilant of the dangers posed by sub-standard face paints, to check product labels carefully and ensure that face paints and other cosmetics are purchased from reputable sources. Surveillance activities have identified cosmetic products containing restricted or undesirable substances, including elevated levels of heavy metals such as lead. As a precaution, exposure to lead should be minimised, particularly for children, who have sensitive and developing skin, and the use of products that do not meet EU safety requirements may increase the risk of adverse health effects. 

Lisa Byrne the Cosmetic Product Manager at the HPRA states:

"Our clear advice is to buy face paints and other Halloween cosmetics from reputable retailers and trusted online suppliers. While the vast majority of products available through established retailers comply with EU safety and regulatory requirements, caution is advised when purchasing from unfamiliar online sellers or sources outside the European Union. Choosing products from trusted suppliers helps ensure that appropriate safety assessments have been carried out, reducing the risk of exposure to non-compliant products and helping children enjoy Halloween safely."

Purchase guidance

When purchasing face paints and other cosmetic products for children, the HPRA recommends that consumers look for some indicators that could suggest a product is non-compliant or counterfeit:

• Check that a full list of ingredients is provided.
• Missing or poor-quality labelling, poor packaging, spelling errors or incomplete safety information
• Products sold at unusually low prices including multi-component kits 
• Follow all instructions and warnings provided on the packaging
• Ensure the product packaging contains clear information identifying the responsible person details and address^ within the European Union. 

General advice 

• Only purchase products from reputable, trusted outlets supplying EU compliant products. 
• Always carry out a patch test in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions before applying face paints to larger areas of skin
• Avoid applying face paint to broken, irritated or sensitive skin.
• Remove face paints promptly after use using the method recommended by the manufacturer.
• Stop using the product immediately if irritation, redness or an allergic reaction occurs.
• If you experience a serious reaction, report it directly to the HPRA at hpra.ie/report.