This year's International Children's Day, 9-year-old Xiaoyu (pseudonym) spent it in the dermatology clinic of Hunan Children's Hospital. On this holiday full of childlike innocence and joy, a seemingly ordinary makeup routine left discomfort and pain on Xiaoyu's tender face, sounding the alarm for the safety of children's cosmetics for all parents.

An increase in contact dermatitis caused by makeup before and after Children's Day every year

Recalling the scene of that day, Ms. Li still regrets deeply. In order to be more brilliant in the performance, everyone wore beautiful stage makeup, foundation make-up, lipstick, eye shadow and powder blusher. The child was still happily spinning in front of the mirror at that time, but within a few hours of maintaining her makeup, Xiaoyu began to frequently scratch her face with her hands. At first, Ms. Li thought it was because the child was not used to cosmetics, but it wasn't until she noticed abnormal skin when removing makeup at night that she realized the seriousness of the problem.

At this moment, Xiaoyu's face appeared with many dense red rashes accompanied by dryness and peeling, and some places also had small papules. Ms. Li was extremely anxious. Quickly brought the child to the Dermatology Department of Hunan Children's Hospital for treatment. When Li Keyao, the attending physician, received the patient, Xiaoyu showed diffuse erythema and papules on her face, with a tendency for exudation in some areas and obvious swelling around her eyes. Based on her medical history, she was diagnosed with cosmetic contact dermatitis.

Flavors, preservatives, pigments, and other ingredients in cosmetics are common allergens, and children's skin barrier function has not fully developed, making them more sensitive to external stimuli, "Li Keyao explained after careful examination. Immediately after examining the child, she gave ozone hydrotherapy, red light irradiation treatment, and medication treatment. At the same time, she reminded parents to avoid their child's contact with cosmetics again in the near future and to keep their face clean and dry. Fortunately, seeking medical attention promptly usually takes 1 to 2 weeks for recovery, but if not handled properly, it may lead to infection, "Li Keyao reminded.

According to chief dermatologist Wei Zhu, the department receives multiple cases of pediatric patients with skin problems caused by makeup before and after Children's Day every year, among which contact dermatitis is the most common. So far this year, we have received 15 similar cases, an increase of 30% compared to the same period in previous years. She pointed out that many parents have misconceptions about the safety of children's cosmetics, thinking that "children only" is absolutely safe, ignoring individual differences and product quality issues. With the development of China's economy and the upgrading of consumer demand, the infant and child skincare market in China has entered a stage of rapid growth, and the trend of younger consumers of cosmetics is becoming increasingly evident. On the one hand, parents' awareness of skincare has increased, and they hope to use cosmetics to protect their baby's pink and tender skin or repair their baby's dry and flaky skin. On the other hand, influenced by the beauty trend, parents actively purchase or meet their children's requirements to purchase some beauty cosmetics to achieve the goals of "fashion" and "beauty seeking".

However, due to physiological characteristics such as thinner stratum corneum, fewer sebaceous glands, and larger intercellular spaces in children's skin, they are more prone to cosmetic adverse reactions than adults. Most countries, including China, have paid little attention to children's cosmetics in the past. Until 2022, the first normative document specifically formulated for the supervision and management of children's cosmetics in China, the "Regulations on the Supervision and Management of Children's Cosmetics", was timely introduced, filling the gap in the field of children's cosmetics supervision. According to the regulations of the National Medical Products Administration, children's cosmetics refer to cosmetics that are suitable for children under the age of 12 (including 12 years old) and have the effects of cleaning, moisturizing, refreshing, and sun protection. Adverse reactions to cosmetics refer to changes in the skin, mucous membranes, and accessory organs caused by normal use of cosmetics, as well as local or systemic damage to the human body, including skin adverse reactions and systemic adverse reactions, with skin adverse reactions being the most common.

Children's cosmetics identify exclusive "Little Golden Shield"

Wei Zhu pointed out that among children, skin damage is the main cause of adverse reactions to cosmetics, accounting for over 95%, and the incidence rate in girls (65%) is significantly higher than that in boys.

When parents choose skincare products for their children, they should first identify the "Little Golden Shield" logo. According to national regulations, children's cosmetics launched after 2022 must be labeled with the exclusive "Little Golden Shield", and products under 3 years old must also clearly state "suitable for infants and young children" to ensure strict safety assessment.

Secondly, children under 3 years old should avoid essence, alcohol, methyl isothiazolinone (MIT), phthalates (commonly used in nail polish); Be cautious when choosing chemical sunscreen agents, and for those under 3 years old, physical sunscreen ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are preferred. Priority should be given to hospital recommendations or specialized baby and children's brands in supermarkets for children aged 0 to 3; If makeup is needed for children aged 3 and above, choose water-soluble products labeled "Suitable for Children".

Again, before using the new product, a 24-hour patch test should be conducted behind the ear or inside the wrist to ensure no redness, swelling, or itching before use. If redness, papules, and burning sensation occur within 30 minutes after use, stop immediately. If a child frequently scratches the same area, their hair becomes brittle and prone to breakage, or their nails show white spots or layers, even if there is no obvious rash, it is necessary to investigate whether it is caused by chronic irritation or allergies to cosmetics.

If a child develops skin damage, parents can respond to adverse reactions in a graded manner:

Mild reaction: Generally, if there is local redness, dryness, itching, etc., stop using the product immediately, gently rinse the residue with physiological saline or water, and avoid wiping (to prevent skin lesions from expanding). At home, you can apply cold compress to relieve redness and swelling (clean gauze dipped in cold water for 5-10 minutes, 3 times a day), apply medical moisturizing cream without fragrance, and repair the skin barrier. Continuously observe and record changes in the rash. If it does not subside or worsen within 24 hours, seek medical attention promptly.

Moderate reaction: The appearance of papules, blisters, exudate, or systemic wheals. Self medication is prohibited and prompt medical attention is required. Suspected products and packaging (including ingredient list and production batch number) should be brought to the pediatric or dermatological department. The doctor may determine the allergen through patch testing.

Severe reactions: shortness of breath, laryngeal edema, blurred consciousness, etc., immediate medical attention is required.

Wei Zhu stated that the prevention and response to adverse reactions in children's cosmetics require scientific understanding from parents, adherence to corporate responsibilities, and strict implementation of supervision. In order to protect the health of children, it is important to choose products that have undergone safety assessments, follow the principle of "age appropriate, streamlined care", and promptly identify and handle adverse reactions.