Watchdog warns parents over Halloween face paint after discoveries of lead and other risk ingredients

Parents and guardians are being urged to exercise caution when buying face paints and other Halloween cosmetics for children, after seven out of 40 products sampled by a safety watchdog were found to be non-compliant, some containing lead. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) said surveillance activities have found cosmetics containing restricted or undesirable substances, including elevated levels of heavy metals such as lead. Exposure to lead should be minimised, particularly among children, whose skin is still developing and may be more sensitive to certain substances The products were identified through the HPRA's targeted market surveillance and sampling programme over the past two years and were subsequently removed from the Irish market. The authority has issued the warning ahead of Halloween, when demand for face paints and other children's cosmetics typically increases. It is advising consumers to purchase products only from reputable retailers and trusted online suppliers to reduce the risk of exposure to potentially unsafe cosmetics. While the findings relate to selected products and do not represent the overall level of compliance across the market, the HPRA said targeted surveillance plays an important role in identifying and removing products that fail to meet safety standards. Cosmetic products sold in the European Union must comply with strict safety requirements. However, products purchased from unfamiliar sellers, unverified online marketplaces or sources outside the EU may not meet these standards and could pose risks to consumer health. Lisa Byrne, Cosmetic Product Manager at the HPRA, urged parents to be particularly careful when shopping for Halloween products. 'Our clear advice is to buy face paints and other Halloween cosmetics from reputable retailers and trusted online suppliers,' she said. While most products sold through established retailers comply with EU safety and regulatory requirements, Ms Byrne warned that caution is necessary when purchasing from unfamiliar online sellers or sources outside the European Union. Choosing 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, she added. The HPRA is advising parents to check product labels carefully before making a purchase. Packaging should include a full list of ingredients, clear safety information and details of the responsible person, including their name and address within the European Union. Poor-quality packaging, spelling mistakes, incomplete labelling and unusually low prices, particularly for multi-component face paint kits, may also indicate that a product could be non-compliant or counterfeit. Parents are also advised to follow all instructions and warnings provided by manufacturers. A patch test should be carried out in accordance with the product instructions before face paint is applied to larger areas of skin. Face paints should not be applied to broken, irritated or sensitive skin and should be removed promptly after use, following the manufacturer's recommended method. The authority recommends stopping use immediately if redness, irritation or an allergic reaction occurs. Serious undesirable effects associated with cosmetic products should be reported directly to the HPRA through its website at hpra.ie/report. With Halloween approaching, parents are being encouraged to take a few simple precautions when choosing face paints and other cosmetics to help ensure that children can enjoy the festivities safely. ​​​