Paint safety and certificates

For face painting Maria uses professional cosmetic paints from five international brands made in Australia and the Netherlands. All five are classified as non-hazardous under the international GHS system, comply with the US FDA requirements and the EU Directive 76/768/EEC, and are designed specifically for use on face and body — for adults and children. The open Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for each brand are linked below.

FDA compliant (USA)
🇪🇺EU 76/768/EEC
🛡GHS: non-hazardous
0HMIS Health = 0
🌿Hypoallergenic
🧒Designed for children

The 5 brands we work with

Global Colours Bodyart
Milhaus Australia · SDS 2014 v3
🇦🇺
Not classified as hazardous
“Not classified as hazardous according to Worksafe Australia Criteria. Recommended use: face and body painting.”
📄Download MSDS · 75 KB
Fusion Body Art
Sydney AU · SDS May 2019 v1
🇦🇺
Not classified as hazardous (GHS rev.4)
“Not classified as hazardous according to the Globally Harmonised System. Non-Dangerous Goods. Recommended use: face and body painting.”
📄Download MSDS · 226 KB
Superstar Aqua Face & Body Paint
Superstar B.V. · SDS February 2018
🇳🇱
HMIS Health = 0 · no hazards identified
“No hazards known on skin, on inhalation or on ingestion. HMIS rating: Health 0, Flammability 0, Reactivity 0.”
📄Download MSDS · 360 KB
Diamond FX Face Art
Netherlands · SDS February 2011
🇳🇱
FDA + EU 76/768/EEC · for children and adults
“Manufactured in accordance with FDA and European Union guidelines. The ingredients meet cosmetic guidelines for both the United States and European Community and are designed to be used on children and adults.”
📄Download MSDS · 267 KB
TAG Body Art
TAG Body Art Australia · SDS February 2011
🇦🇺
HMIS Health = 0 · no hazardous ingredients
“Contains no hazardous ingredients. No hazards known on ingestion, inhalation, skin or eyes. HMIS rating: Health 0.”
📄Download MSDS · 252 KB

What's in the formulation

  • Water (Aqua) CAS 7732‑18‑5 — the base.
  • Glycerin CAS 56‑81‑5 — humectant, approved by the FDA and the EU as a cosmetic ingredient.
  • Calcium carbonate (chalk) CAS 471‑34‑1 — a natural mineral that provides colour opacity.
  • Paraffin / wax CAS 8002‑74‑2 — gives wear and water resistance.
  • Stearyl alcohol CAS 112‑92‑5 — an emollient, cosmetic standard.
  • Acacia Senegal gum CAS 9000‑01‑5 — a natural thickener.
  • Cosmetic pigments — iron oxides, titanium dioxide, and FDA-approved food and cosmetic colorants (D&C / FD&C).
Every component is a standard cosmetic ingredient — the same categories used in children's creams and lipstick. The paints wash off with plain warm water and soap; persistent dark pigments — with baby oil or micellar water.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe for young children?
Yes. All 5 brands are designed for use on children — this is stated directly in the safety data sheets (for example, Diamond FX: “designed to be used on children and adults”). For very young children with sensitive skin we recommend a patch test on the arm 15–20 minutes before the main painting. This is standard practice for any cosmetic.
What if the child has allergies?
Any cosmetic product contains pigments that could theoretically trigger a reaction. The allergen profile of our paints matches that of regular children's cosmetics. If the child has a known allergy (especially to colorants), let Maria know in advance: we'll choose a formulation without the problematic pigments and do a patch test before starting.
Is it safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
The paints are for external use only and do not penetrate the bloodstream — the FDA classifies the ingredients as safe for skin contact. As a precaution, during pregnancy we by default avoid the area around the lips and nose — that's a rule we follow without being asked.
How does face paint wash off?
Plain warm water and soap remove 90–95% in one pass. Persistent dark pigments (deep red, black) come off with baby oil, micellar water, or Vaseline / baby oil. The paints do not penetrate the skin — everything sits on the surface and comes off easily.
What if it gets into the eyes?
Rinse with plenty of clean water — all 5 MSDS state directly that medical attention is normally not required. As a further precaution, the FDA recommends keeping red pigments at least ½ inch (≈1.3 cm) away from the eyes — Maria follows this rule.
Where can I verify these claims?
All Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are linked at the bottom of this page — open PDF documents directly from the manufacturers. You can also visit their websites: globalcolours.com, fusionbodyart.com, superstar.nl, bodypaintshop.com, tagbodyart.com.

Documents — Safety Data Sheets

💬