Parents are being urged to exercise caution when buying face paints and other cosmetics for children ahead of Halloween, amid concerns over potentially harmful substances found in some products.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is advising consumers to check product labels carefully and purchase cosmetics only from reputable retailers, warning that substandard products may pose a risk to children's health.
High levels of heavy metals have been detected in some brands of children's cosmetics available in Europe in recent years, raising concerns about the safety of products sold for Halloween face painting.
In a warning previously reported by The Journal, the HPRA highlighted the importance of checking product information before allowing children to use face paints.
Parents are advised to look for an EU address on the packaging, as required under European cosmetics legislation, and to check for warnings indicating that a product should not be used on children.
The authority also recommends following the instructions for use carefully, as cosmetics can cause skin irritation if they are used incorrectly.
Consumers are being urged to be particularly wary of products with unusually low prices, incomplete labelling or no clear information identifying the responsible supplier.
The HPRA has stressed that even small quantities of certain undeclared ingredients can cause harm or irritation to children's skin.
