* SNAZAROO and Safety *

Recently there were several erroneous reports sent out to the internet and to various media groups from a radical environmental group claiming that SNAZAROO had lead in its products. If you wish to hear "the truth"  over misinformation, please read our statement at www.snazaroo.us/PDF/faqreply.pdf   A current Materials Safety Data Sheet has been posted at www.snazaroo.us/PDF/SnazarooMSDSOct2009.pdf  A formal response from SNAZAROO/ColArt Americas was posted at www.snazaroo.us/PDF/SnazarooStatementOct2009.pdf Read an official statement on this issue from John Bailey, Chief Scientists, Personal Care Products Council on this issue at www.snazaroo.us/PDF/PersonalCareProductsCouncil.pdf  If one reads these reports it is easy to see a great deal of deceit in the initial reports given.  If you want to hear our policy on safety then read below....

SNAZAROO manufactures its products using FDA compliant materials, packaging and processes that would provide FDA compliance (and their international counterparts). Our face painting products are regulated as a cosmetic good and are just as safe (or more so)  as cosmetics you would find at an upscale cosmetic counter. We do not use any materials in our products that could cause harm. This includes the full range of materials from the FDA compliant glitter we use in our glitter gels to the FD&C reds we use in our red face paints. Our factory and manufacturing procedures are also FDA compliant and have been inspected by appropriate federal staff. In addition, we keep FDA approved records to insure the safest manufacturing procedures. Never use any product on the face that does not specifically say it is FDA compliant and safe for use on the face as a cosmetic good. We use no ingredients that do not meet cosmetic guidelines both in the United States and the European Community. As an example... UV and Day-glo pigments MAY BE approved and used in German cosmetics but since they are banned by the USA FDA (Food and Drug Administration) we do not use them. Glow in the dark pigments are approved in the USA but banned by cosmetic regulations in Europe, therefore we do not use them. Again, our ingredients must meet the stringent guidelines of both the USA FDA as well as the European equivalent. We also avoid ingredients that can substantially increase the risk of allergic reaction, such as fragrances. Our products were designed to be used on children and therefore we take every measure that they are the safest face paints in the world. You know if you are you are using SNAZAROO that every measure for safety has been made.

We have spent tens of thousands of dollars in safety testing our products. All of these tests have been done by FDA approved, independent labs both in the USA and in Europe. In routine inspections by the FDA and other international agencies, we have proven time and time again to comply with FDA and child safety guidelines. This includes all packaging. SNAZAROO is the only face paint that also holds a "child toy safety rating" which is a more stringent guideline. In order to receive a child toy safety rating the product has to be very safe if used by children. In other words, in normal use by a child, the the product was abused (put on too thick, accidentally eaten, accidentally dripped in the eye, ear or nose) what is the likelihood that harm could be done to the child? We have passed that test. Our only warning is the products should not be used by children under the age of three because the small paint disks, if swallowed, could provide a choking hazard. The product on the child under the age of three is fine. The problem is the small disk could get lodged in the air passage and therefore should not be used by a child without adult supervision. We have had no FDA rejections due to material or manufacturing problems or allergic reactions.

Despite all of this care, we do receive rare calls claiming an allergic reaction with statistics something like 1 in 10,000,000. It does happen with all cosmetic brands from the least expensive to the most expensive even those with a claim of a "hypoallergenic line" (I worked 25 years in the cosmetic industry before SNAZAROO). In virtually every case, over the counter Benadryl lotion, takes care of the problem. NO COSMETIC COMPANY IN THE WORLD CAN GUARANTEE THAT THEIR COSMETIC WILL NOT CAUSE A REACTION, IF THEY SAY SO, THEY ARE NOT TELLING THE TRUTH! The consumer with a concern, should determine if it is necessary to seek further medical help. If there are signs of an allergic reaction it is far more likely that there is a food related allergy or a reaction to the soaps used to remove the paint rather than a cosmetic based reaction. "Is the reaction ONLY in the area where the child was painted?", is a question that should be asked. Most people are allergic to some types of foods, lotions or airborne common allergens.  The example I like to use is penicillin literally saves hundreds of thousands of lives every year. However, my daughter almost died in the hospital because she took penicillin as a 2 year old. We know now to not give her any penicillin or penicillin derivative. This does not mean that penicillin is bad. It just means that her body does not react the same way to penicillin as it does to the majority of the world. We have learned to take precautions in her case. In addition, it is QUITE COMMON that parents use low priced baby wipes to removed the face paint from the child's face. These low cost brands of baby wipes are KNOWN to have ingredients from alcohols, to harsh soaps,  to fragrances that are very harsh on the face. After all... they were designed for other reasons. An allergic reaction to low cost baby wipes is QUITE COMMON. We recommend you either use a little baby shampoo on a wet wash cloth or we prefer a high-quality baby wipe. Our suggestion, or preference, is Huggies brand "Supreme Care", UNSCENTED baby wipes. They work quite well in removal and the materials used are mild on the skin. Avoid the use of any product that uses fragrances, alcohol in any form or harsh soaps (surfactants). If you removed the face paints with a baby wipe and noticed a skin reaction the fastest way to determine if the baby wipe was the offender is to rub the baby wipe on the inside of the elbow vigorously. If you see a reaction after a few minutes, it is caused by the materials in the baby wipe. Again, reactions to some brands of baby wipes is quite common. If there is an allergic reaction it generally happens with one child and the reaction is isolated to the painted area. Again, an allergic reaction in a cosmetic good is very, very rare. Because it is so rare it is almost impossible that more than one child, even in the same family had a reaction to SNAZAROO.

In the past years there have been federal face paint recalls on face paints. For example Rose Art brand was recalled for a 28% allergic reaction rate. In 2009 there was a recall by Fun Express for high allergic rates. Both of these brands were made in China. We would suggest one avoids the brands that only are seen in the stores near Halloween. They tend to be lower quality with lower inspection standards. If one gets six colors of paint for $1.99 there is a reason. Like with most purchases, one gets what they pay for.

SNAZAROO USA Inc. provides a $2,000,000 product liability policy. It is even higher in the UK and Europe. If you are using multiple brands of make-up the product liability is of no use. Pick the supplier of your choice and stick with one. All major brands will tell you that this voids their particular product liability insurance. We as a manufacturer can not guarantee every possible combination of our paints to every other product in the world. We do guarantee that our products ARE COMPATIBLE with every other product in our broad product line. Likewise, we have done testing to make sure that our products are compatible with the containers in which they are delivered to you in. We can not guarantee that our products are compatible with every container in the world. When one "repacks" or moves our paint from one container to another, we can not guarantee compatibility of our product and that new container. Neither can we guarantee that the tools or the process is done in a way that would be FDA compliant. Because of this, our product liability insurance is no longer valid. We do have some customers that repack our paints. They assure us that they use safe transfer methods and they say they carry their own product liability insurance. In that case, you need to ask them specifically to explain what they do and do not cover. You might even ask for a copy of the policy coverage. I'm just saying when brands are mixed or repackaging occurs, the SNAZAROO product liability (and the other major suppliers) goes out the window. You would need to talk to your particular supplier to see the specifics. The proof is in how your supplier handles the problem.

You also have an obligation to insure that you are not part of the problem. We have seen some pretty atrocious painting methods. Many people work in an unhealthy environment, improperly store their paints and mix the paints with everything from brush and comb sanitizers to alcohol. Be sure you are not part of the problem. You have an obligation to care for your work and painting environment. Some of the greatest offenders are those that use unsafe water, make "custom mixtures" or add items to the paints. Avoid doing any of these. When you use SNAZAROO in its original state and as instructed you can not find a safer combination (see the "ten commandments of face painting" at http://www.snazaroo.us/10.htm ). One of the big offenders is for people to use unsafe water. Always use water that is safe AND fresh. If you take safe tap water and store it in a concealed container in warm temperatures it can grow harmful spores of bacteria. The water does not have a preservative system to prevent spore growth. Some painters store their water or even use "spritzers" to apply water. Make sure you refresh this water before every event. Impure water is a major factor in face painting. We strongly suggest you use fresh water at the start of each face painting activity.

In addition you should avoid situations where you may be transferring infection. You should avoid painting children that have a fever, runny nose, visible infection like chicken pox, measles or the like. Do not paint a child that has a rash, scrape or cut of any type to minimize any possible problem. Common sense will keep you from most problems. A child is much more likely to catch a cold or other similar illness while waiting in line to be painted, than receiving it during the actual face painting process.

Always store your products in a moderate temperature (50 - 80 degrees F) in an environment free from moisture and dust or other possible contaminants. Wash immediately your face painting tools (brushes, sponges etc) and allow them to full dry before packing away. Improperly cleaned or stored artist brushes or sponges can be a large factor in bacteria growth. Properly wash your sponges and brushes and allow them to totally dry before packing them away.

In your work area, make sure you are using only safe, CLEAN, FRESH, water to add to the paints or gels. Keep your water containers as clean as possible. If you are washing your brush often in a container, make sure your refresh the water as often as possible. Only use water that is safe for drinking purposes and always dump your water after your painting session. Do not recap the water and reuse it in multiple sessions even if it appears clean.

SNAZAROO make-up products have built in preservative system that help keep them safe. The preservative system in our products is very strong and it is highly unlikely that any germ can live in the product. Again, always use safe, clean water and do not add additives to your water. Likewise when you wash your brushes or make-up sponges we recommend you wash and rinse them in clean hot water. We even encourage you to not use soap during your cleaning process as people often leave soap residue in their sponges or brushes. If you get our paints in the child's eyes you will not harm the child. However, if you get a little soap in the child's eye during the painting process it can be a strong irritant to the eye. Again, wash/rinse well in hot water until clean and allow them to dry before packing away. Read more about this at www.snazaroo.us/faqpreservatives.htm

In the unlikely event there is a reaction to ANY make-up, one would have to do a careful analysis to determine what the offending ingredient might be. A common cosmetic ingredient offender is fragrance and SNAZAROO does not add fragrance to our products. The next offender, generally would be preservatives. Depending on the particular product you might find MethylParaben, PropylParaben, ButylParaben or Disodium EDTA. Preservatives, particularly in a water-based cosmetic are necessary to prevent the growth of possible germs. These materials are critical to keeping the products safe. Some brands avoid preservatives and this is controversial particularly in the European Union. A water-based make-up without preservatives has a short shelf life, will grow bacteria and mold and is not safe for using when painting from child to child.  As you can see by the ingredient label on any cosmetic good, there are many other possible FDA approved ingredients from pigments to binders. These approved ingredients probably number in the thousands. The FDA strictly tests these ingredients and finds then to generally to be safe for use in food, drugs or cosmetics. This does not guarantee that they are safe for everyone in the world. They simply state that in general use in food, drugs and cosmetics they have been proven to substantially be less likely to cause any medical concern to humans. Determining the actually offender for any individual can be a costly and timely experience. This determination can be done by an experienced allergist. It is impossible for any cosmetic company to determine exactly what ingredient each consumer might be allergic to. Like the label says, If you suspect that you might have a known allergy, then a patch test is advised. Avoid any ingredient in food or cosmetics that you know you are allergic to. Regulated cosmetic goods are required by law to list their ingredients in the order of their use. If you have a known allergy, be sure to check the labels of all foods, drugs or cosmetics that you might eat, take or use. Avoid these items. If you find you have an allergy, you might experiment with other brands cautiously. Most people's allergies evolve as you build up and tear down a person's particular resistance. For cosmetics, a patch test on the inside of the elbow is suggested. If there is any reaction after 60 minutes you may expand to a larger area. We need to add, just because you do not have an allergic reaction in a small area it does mot guarantee that you will not have a reaction when you magnify the surface area coming in contact with more ingredients. This is true with all cosmetic products.

If more than one child has an allergic reaction at an event there are PROBABLY other reasons for the problem. Test studies have shown that reactions are very rare and having two at the same even further extends the odds of multiple reactions. Check also the many other factors that occur at the events. Ask yourself the question... is the allergic reaction ONLY IN THE VERY SPECIFIC AREA where the face paint was applied? This should be your leading indicator.

If you suspect there has been an allergic reaction do not panic. It is best to refer the parent right away to the manufacturer of the product. As we mentioned before, if you suspect a reaction, over the counter Benadryl lotion generally will take care of the problem. If you have real concerns you should consult medical advice. If any reaction to any cosmetic product occurs it will probably happening the first fifteen minutes. You will not find a reaction hours after the product has been removed. NEVER allow your children to be painted with acrylic paints, tempera paints, colored markers meant for use on paper or any other product that was not specifically designed to be used and worn on the face. Some of the products like acrylic paints can cause permanent scaring on some skin types (see http://www.snazaroo.us/faqacrylics.htm ). Acrylic paints contain polymers that are unsafe for use on skin.

Before you use any art material on the face unless it says it is "FDA Approved" or "FDA Compliant as a cosmetic good" do not use it on the skin. The reality is the FDA does not approve any cosmetic good. The FDA defines a list of ingredients that are know as "safe" for use in cosmetics. Even a so-called "FDA approved" cosmetic can cause problems. You can easily find so-called FDA approved cosmetics that come out during the Halloween season that make this claim. They could very well only contain those ingredients approved for use by the FDA. There is no question that you have a much higher risk of allergic reaction when you find a cosmetic product that sells an eight color palette for under $2.00. Like with all consumer purchases a "buyer beware" mentality should be used. Do your research to minimize any allergic reactions by these very inexpensive brands. Possible additional negatives are the staining of skin, poor coverage, ruined clothing, carpets etc. if the material is spilled. Do your own research.

ASTM approval is NOT the same as "FDA compliant". ASTM followed by a number only indicates it has met a particular standard. This is very common with art products. What the ASTM designation indicates is when used under the directions on the label it has been proven safe for use by children. That does not mean that it is safe for the skin. For example a permanent marker holds a ASTM D4236 rating, but you certainly would not want your children to use this marker on their face. Again... ASTM conformity does NOT mean the product is safe for the use on skin. ASTM stands for American Scientific Testing Methods. It is simply a testing method to see if a product is used AS INTENDED, is it safe. In other words a particular glitter might receive an ASTM approval because when it is used on a paper craft product in the class room the likelihood of harm is minimal. When you take that same glitter and use it as a face painting product near the eye, the results could be different. Those same glitters that received an ASTM approval could scratch the eye if the products fall in the eye. Only use products on the face or skin that are specifically designed and tested for this purpose. All SNAZAROO products have gone through extensive testing and found to be safe for the skin.

An indicator that a material is FDA compliant as a cosmetic good is it will have a full list of ingredients. Look for products that say "FDA approved", "FDA Compliant", "Cosmetic Good" or the like. Avoid materials that have other designations such as "for hair and special effects". Look for products that safe they are safe for use on the face. Avoid all other products.

Allergic reactions to humans is common place. These reactions can come from mold spores in the air to food allergies to allergic reactions to fragrances. No doubt some people have a much higher occurrence to allergy related problems. I'll use myself as an example. I use one of the most widely sold liquid under arm deodorants. I can wear this particular favorite brand for years with no problem. Then a red rash starts to appear under my arm and as the days go on, with repeated use, the rash becomes worse. I then switch to another brand for a four to six month period. At that point I can switch back to my preferred brand with no problem. This cycle repeats about every three years. Does this mean the deodorant is unsafe? No. It only means my body is sensitive over a period of time to an ingredient in the product. I am also allergic to dried apricots and airborne sulfur products. I have learned to try to avoid these products found safe for most people. I am even allergic to the materials used in band aids. When a band aid is placed on my skin I can develop a rash where the band aid was in a matter of twenty minutes. Again, the products are generally found as safe and I work to avoid these materials when possible. In relation to SNAZAROO face paints, I wear them myself as I demonstrate the products at tradeshows. I wear them, generally, on half of my face for periods of eight hours a day and at times repeat the process for the four or five days of the tradeshow. Even with my sensitive allergies, I have never reacted to SNAZAROO face paints.

If you know you have allergic reactions to any product from strawberries to penicillin there are methods to isolate what you are allergic to. These tests can be performed by a trained allergists. There are three most commons methods of testing. The most reliable is with patch testing on the skin. This test is expensive and can be irritating especially to a young child. The process is to inject a very small amount of material under the surface of the skin in a grid. For each area that forms an irritation the doctor can then move to another grid and through a process of elimination narrow down the offending material. The second method is less accurate but they can run a blood test and isolate many allergies. The third method is the small patch test on the inside of the elbow. Take any cosmetic product and paint a one inch circle on the inside of the elbow. This area is tender and if there is no reaction in thirty minutes you are probably pretty safe. Note however that just because you do not react here, you will not react when you paint a much larger area. The more product you place on the skin, or the more food product you eat, the higher chances you will have when you increase the dose. A good example of this is the "paba" products used in many sun screens. One might not have a reaction to a one inch test. When swimming you would generally cover most of the body increasing the amount of this cosmetically approved product. Many people are allergic to paba which is a common agent to ward off the suns harmful rays. If you are prone to allergic reactions in any form make sure you try to avoid these ingredients as you isolate them.

In terms of allergies, the problem is once you isolate the offending agent, you allergies tend to change over time. The human body is often adaptive. What you are allergic to now, could very well go away as your body develops a natural defense. Likewise, you could be safe with a particular product now and two years from now develop an allergy. This is shown in my example on the under arm deodorant. Learn your body's strengths and weaknesses and do those things that are best for you. In most cases allergic reactions are very minor. This would simply leave a small pinkish spot on the skin surface. Other allergic reactions like certain food allergies, bee stings or antibiotics can be life threatening. Seek medical advise and do your research if you have concerns. We can promise you that SNAZAROO provides you with the world's safest face painting product. No one has done more safety testing to ensure that the product when painted on your child is safe. If you are concerned about safety then you should be using SNAZAROO.

As a recap... If you follow some basic logical safe painting  methods, your possibility with an allergic reaction, or other problems will be virtually nonexistent or worst case very rare. Don't mix brands, do not repack your paints into an unapproved container, store your materials and tools properly, keep fresh water, keep your work area clean, do not paint ill children and you will find your face painting experience a pleasant and fairly uneventful or void of any negative experience.

When in doubt ask your supplier or some other resource you trust. If you have any specific concerns contact the manufacturer directly. They can walk you through most of your concerns. Have the parent of the child contact the manufacturer directly. Often the story is "expanded" as it is funneled between the party planner, event coordinator or other individual. We at SNAZAROO are concerned about your safety. No other company has worked so hard to provide you with safe face painting products. Send your concerns to garycole@mindspring.com  (if you are in the Northern Hemisphere, USA, Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean) or to UK@snazaroo.com if you are in the UK or Europe. You may also call 972-221-8665. It is important if you have serious concerns that you seek the further advise from your local medical professional.

Gary Cole
SNAZAROO USA Inc.
garycole@mindspring.com

Safety information and ingredient copy listing that is posted on all SNAZAROO face paints.

IMPORTANT SAFETY  INFORMATION

Unsuitable for small children under 3 years due to small parts which may cause a choking hazard. The paints are safe for use on small children, it is just the small parts may cause a choking hazard. The product should not be used undiluted. In other words you add water to your brush or sponge before you apply it to the skin. Wash  off  using mild soap and water with the eyes tightly shut. Store  in a clean dry area with the lid on. Use within 18 months of opening the package to avoid having the make-up dry and crack. All cosmetics can, on rare occasions cause allergic reactions and the product should not applied in the immediate eye area or to sensitive areas or broken skin. If you are unsure about sensitivity, a patch test is advised. Apply the product to the inside of the elbow. If a reaction occurs within 60 minutes, do not use.

Contents: Talc, PEG-32, Propylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol Ceteth-3 Acetate, Water, PEG-8 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-75 Lanolin, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben.  MAY CONTAIN:  CI 77019 (Mica), CI 42090 (FD&C Blue 1 Al Lake),  CI 47005 (D&C Yellow 10 Al Lake), CI 19140 (FD&C Yellow 5 Al Lake), CI 17200 (D&C Red 33 Al Lake), CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 15850 (D&C Red 7 Ca Lake), CI 15985 (FD&C Yellow 6 Al Lake), CI 77510 (Ferric Terrocyanide), CI 77007 (Ultamarine Blue),  CI 16035 (FD&C Red 40 Al Lake). SNAZAROO make-up strictly complies with all E.U. and F.D.A. regulations  on cosmetics. PLEASE  RETAIN THIS INFORMATION.

Questions on any specific product can be addressed to garycole@mindspring.com  If you feel like you have concerns send a photo of the child with their face painted and a photo of the skin concern. Please verify FOR SURE which cosmetic products were used on your child. We receive may e-mails on brands that are manufactured in China, Taiwan or elsewhere. These products are not SNAZAROO. Our face paints are made in the United Kingdom and in some cases the paint kits are assembled in the United States. If you did not use SNAZAROO you should seek the advise of the manufacturer of the brand that you used.

Each country could have different laws and restrictions. Please check with the appropriate distributor in your country for additional information.

Contacts us in the United States at snazaroo@mindspring.com
 

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