The Most Important Thing To Consider When Buying Kid-Friendly Makeup
And it's not just for vanity reasons
"Mum, I want makeup for Christmas!"
If your child has been asking you for a makeup set, which got you Googling for kid-friendly makeup, you might want to consider a few things with regards to safety.
Recently there's been a lot of buzz about asbestos turning up in children's makeup. This was covered extensively just two years ago by The Guardian and Insider, investigations which prompted the FDA in the US to confirm that asbestos were indeed found in children's makeup from household brands.
While those brands in question are not commonly found here in Singapore, it still raises important considerations about how safe makeup (and its ingredients are for children), in particular talc, which can contain asbestos. Here we look more into the topic and also highlight four brands which are safer for your little ones.
The main health issue raised about children's makeup is the presence of asbestos. According to the HBO Max documentary series, "Not So Pretty", which spoke to legal personnels, scientists, researchers, and victims, "talc and asbestos usually grow together" in rock formations.
Most of the concerning asbestos-containing makeup are powdered items, such as blush, eye shadow, compact powders, and colour palettes. An eyeshadow palette that was tested in a laboratory, for instance, was found to have millions of asbestos fibres. Some foundations and lipsticks do carry talc in their ingredients list as well. Be sure by always reading the back of your product.
In 2020, the beauty institution, Environmental Working Group, tested a children's makeup set and found that it contained over four million asbestos fibres.
That's extremely concerning since, by applying such makeup, you're exposing your skin to the asbestos and you're actively breathing them in. There are four illnesses that asbestos commonly cause:
Lung cancer
Mesothelioma
Throat cancer
Permanent lung damage
However, the telltale signs are mild. They range from shortness of breath to chest pain, and cough – all of which could easily be mistaken for a common cold.
Asbestos is so dangerous that even just with a one-time exposure, you could already contract one of the above illnesses. It's most commonly used in construction materials, buildings, and houses.
One of the main issues with the cosmetics industry is how highly unregulated it is. The FDA in the United States is able to issue information about specific products containing asbestos, but they do not have the power to stop the production of such products. It's basically up to the public to actively read and keep up with the news, and to steer clear of these talc-containing products for safety of us and our children.
Proudly made in the USA, Klee Naturals boasts no talc, no parabens, no synethetic dyes or fragrances. Just fun, playful colours for your little ones with formulations that are gentle an d non-toxic. Formerly known as Luna Star Naturals, the brand includes a range for kids as well as one for tweens with many cute holiday bundles to choose from.
Klee Naturals ($28.67 from Amazon)
An Australian brand, No Nasties was created to give children safe, play makeup and plant-based hair products as a result of founder Natalie's own experience with allergies. When her daughter was gifted children's makeup one year, she read the list of ingredients and promptly decided to create her own. The products are all-natural and handmade.
Nala Pink Natural Play Kids Makeup Deluxe Box, No Nasties ($41)
Created and designed for young, youthful features, this US brand has a panel of doctors who ensure the brand continues to be cruelty-free, nut-free, gluten-free, phthalate-free, paraben-free and vegan. The products are designed for young users even down to the applicators and brushes.
Glow Basics Makeup Starter Gift Set, Petite n Pretty ($43.15 from Amazon)
Everyone's childhood favourite crayons has now launched a beauty brand and is proudly vegan and talc-free. While not specifically made for kids, the safe formulation and easy-to-use products make them good starter sets. This one is for eye, cheeks and lips and so is good for young users to play around with.
Crayola Colour Crayon Trio - Jazz Pizzazz, Crayola Beauty ($10.50 from ASOS)