Is face paint safe, and from what age can you paint a child's face?

Yes, professional face paint from brands such as Superstar, Diamond FX, Grimas and Mehron is safe. It's registered as a cosmetic and complies with European cosmetics regulations, which means it's made to be worn on the skin, including children's. As a guideline, I personally wait until a child is around 3 years old before painting their face.

Why not younger? Very young children's skin is thinner and more sensitive, and toddlers often rub their eyes or put their hands in their mouths. Still want something festive for a little one under 3? Then paint a small design on the forearm rather than the face.

Painting a child for the first time, or do you know they have sensitive skin? Do a small test first: apply a little face paint to the inside of the wrist or elbow and wait to see whether the skin stays calm. An allergy usually shows itself almost straight away. And never paint over small wounds, rashes or active eczema patches; leave damaged skin alone.

Two simple habits make a big difference: always remove face paint before a child goes to sleep, and use a clean sponge for every child. Brushes can be cleaned properly in between, but they need to be clean too, of course.

Want to know more about skin reactions, allergies and safe face painting? You'll find everything in my blog post 10 tips waar je jeuk van krijgt (in Dutch).