If you've ever wondered, "Is face paint safe for kids?", you're not alone.
Whether you're buying face paint for a birthday party, school event, costume party or Halloween, choosing products that are safe for your child's skin is just as important as creating fun designs.
The good news is that face painting can be a safe and enjoyable activity when you choose products designed specifically for skin.
In this guide, we'll explain what makes face paint skin-safe, how to care for sensitive skin, the easiest way to remove face paint and what to look for when choosing face paint for toddlers in NZ.
Choose Cosmetic-Grade Face Paint
Not all paints are made for skin.
Acrylic paints, poster paints and craft paints should never be used on a child's face, even if they're labelled non-toxic. They're designed for paper, canvas and wood, not children's skin.
Instead, always choose cosmetic-grade face paint that's specifically formulated for face and body painting.
At Palette Pals, all of our paints are skin-safe, non-toxic and water-based, making them gentle on children's skin and easy to wash away after playtime.
Every Palette Pals kit is designed to make face painting simple for beginners, with everything you need included in one box.
Is Face Paint Safe for Sensitive Skin?
If your child has sensitive skin, choosing the right products makes all the difference.
At Palette Pals, we use water-based face paints because they're gentle on skin and easy to remove, making them a great choice for beginners and families.
Before using any new face paint, we recommend:
- Complete a small patch test before first use.
- Apply face paint only to clean, dry skin.
- Avoid broken or irritated skin.
- Remove face paint after play rather than leaving it on overnight.
For younger children aged 3 to 5 years, wearing face paint for around 4 to 6 hours is a sensible guideline before washing it off.
What About Toddlers?
Parents often search for face paint for toddlers NZ, and the same advice applies.
Toddlers love face painting, but they're also more likely to rub their faces during play. Keeping designs simple makes the experience quicker and more comfortable.
Try easy designs like:
- An animal nose
- Colourful cheek dots
- A simple star
- A small colour swipe
These quick designs take only a few minutes while still encouraging imaginative play.
How to Remove Face Paint
One of the best things about Palette Pals' water-based face paints is how easy they are to remove.
Every Palette Pals kit includes a soft microfibre cleaning cloth, so there's no need for baby wipes, makeup removers or harsh cleansers.
Simply:
- Wet the microfibre cleaning cloth with warm water.
- Gently wipe away the face paint.
- Rinse the cloth and repeat if needed.
Avoid scrubbing, as gentle wiping is kinder on children's skin.
If any darker colours remain, massage a small amount of coconut oil or olive oil onto the area before wiping clean with the damp microfibre cleaning cloth.
Is Glitter Safe for Children's Skin?
Glitter adds the finishing touch to many face paint designs, but it's important to choose products made specifically for cosmetic use.
Craft glitter should never be used on the face because it isn't designed for skin and may be unsuitable around the eyes.
Every Palette Pals kit includes biodegradable cosmetic glitter, designed specifically for face painting. Pair it with our Glitter Balm, to help keep glitter comfortably in place without harsh adhesives.
When playtime is over, simply remove the glitter with warm water and the reusable microfibre cleaning cloth included in every Palette Pals kit.
Looking for a Skin-Safe Kids Face Paint Kit?
Palette Pals was created to make face painting easy for beginners.
Every kit includes skin-safe, non-toxic, water-based face paints, biodegradable cosmetic glitter, brushes, sponges, stencils, a reusable microfibre cleaning cloth and simple step-by-step tutorials, so you have everything you need to get started.
If you'd like even longer-lasting sparkle, our Glitter Balm helps keep glitter comfortably in place.
Whether you're planning a birthday party, getting ready for Book Week or simply creating magical memories at home, you'll have everything you need to face paint with confidence.
Explore the Palette Pals kits collection and discover face painting that's made for kids, easy for parents and simple to wash away.
