Arizona opinion: What parents don’t know about toxins in Halloween makeup

This year, with Halloween falling on a prime weekend, millions more children and adults will be participating in parties and festivities, turning to brightly colored, potentially toxic paste on their skin to complete their costumes. The fun of temporary transformation should not come with the hidden cost of toxic exposure. It is time for consumers to demand, and regulators to finalize, the safety standards our cosmetic industry desperately needs.

The danger lurks in the very ingredients that make costume makeup so vivid and inexpensive. Numerous reports confirm the presence of heavy metals in novelty face paints, often in darker pigments. These aren’t inert fillers, but neurotoxins, such as lead, a substance known to be particularly harmful to children during critical stages of development. Further risks come from allergens like nickel, cobalt, and chromium, which are often present at levels far exceeding health recommendations, yet the product packaging may misleadingly boast “hypoallergenic” labels.

Beyond heavy metals, two common cosmetic ingredients, fragrance and parabens, pose significant concerns. The single term “fragrance” can hide dozens of proprietary chemicals, many of which are known skin sensitizers and common asthma triggers. For delicate skin, especially a child’s, this is an invitation to irritation and allergic dermatitis.

Parabens, used as cheap preservatives to prevent mold and bacteria, are known endocrine disruptors, meaning they can mimic hormones and potentially interfere with the body’s essential systems. When these chemicals are applied generously to the face and absorbed through the skin, the risk is compounded.

The problem stems from an outdated regulatory framework. While new legislation has been passed, the crucial details remain delayed. The FDA’s highly anticipated Notice of Proposed Rule-making for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), which would establish baseline quality control and safety standards for all cosmetic factories, has been pushed back until October 2025. This really means that for another year, companies can continue to produce cosmetics without mandatory, federally-enforced standards to prevent contamination.

Furthermore, the shadow of PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as “forever chemicals”, hangs over the industry. These compounds are used to improve wear and texture, but their persistence in the environment and the human body is alarming. While the FDA is required to publish a report on the safety and risks of PFAS in cosmetics by December 29, 2025, a patchwork of state-level bans is already emerging, creating confusion where a clear federal mandate should exist.

In the face of regulatory lag, consumers must become their own best safety experts. Before purchasing, look beyond the seasonal aisle and seek products that have been vetted by independent, third-party certification bodies. Seals like MADE SAFE or EcoCert COSMOS signify that the product has undergone a rigorous review, often excluding whole classes of chemicals like parabens, heavy metals, and most synthetic fragrances. Check the product’s origin as regulations in some countries are looser than others. For example, those of the European Union are stricter, offering an extra layer of confidence.

Finally, remember the rule of washing off the makeup before bed. No matter the quality of the makeup, leaving it on overnight increases the time for absorption and the risk of irritation. Use a gentle cleanser to ensure the chemicals are fully removed.

The collective excitement for Halloween should not be a liability. The cosmetic industry has the capability to create safe, high-quality, and vibrant face paints. Until federal oversight catches up, the power is in the consumer’s hand to demand transparency, prioritize certified products, and ensure that the only frightening things this season are ghoulish costumes worn, not the ingredients we wear.