What Kind Of Paint Is Used For Face Paint?

At first glance, face paint looks like any other type of paint. However, there is a difference between paint that is safe for use on faces and paint that should stick to the exterior of a canvas. If you’re interested in face painting, it’s critical to differentiate these. What kind of paint is used for face paint?

If you want to stay safe, there is one type of paint that is always ideal for face painting - face painting paint. Companies test and form these products with the idea that they’re going to go on the skin.

Read on to learn more about face painting paint, substitutes that could come in handy, and materials to stay away from when dealing with skin. There’s lots to consider with face paints.

What Paint is Used for Face Paint?

In face paint, there is one product used - face painting paint. This substance is created specifically for the art of face painting. It’s safe enough to go on the skin and has a consistency that can work well with the gentle tools of a face paint artist.

Some excellent examples of face painting paints for sale on Amazon include:

These are some excellent options for face paint that exist on the market today.

Most face paint is affordable for the average painter and comes in many gorgeous colors. There are no other types of paint that offer the same comfort for skin as face paint does. However, some materials come close and can come in handy as substitutes.

Are There Any Good Substitutes?

Are there any substitutes that would work well instead of face paints? A few that stand out amongst the many paint options on the market.

Some of the best substitutes for face painting paint include:

  • Homemade face paint
  • Watercolor
  • Makeup

These can work well if you run into a moment where you’re out of regular face paint.

Let’s talk about these products a little more. Each has distinct qualifications that make it excellent for face painting, so it’s critical to know what comes with each of these options before using them.

Homemade Face Paint

If you don’t have face painting paint on your hands, you can make homemade face paint. These ingredients form a safe paste to use on the average person’s skin without leaving rashes or other damage.

To make homemade face paint, you will need to do the following:

  • Gather your ingredients: You’ll need cornstarch, face lotion (unscented), .25 teaspoon vegetable oil, washable paint, small containers, and a bowl.
  • Make a base: Next, make the base by mixing equal parts cornstarch and lotion with the vegetable oil. Mix until smooth but not watery.
  • Separate and add dye: Separate this mixture into as many sections as you want. Add a drop of paint to each and mix.
  • Add extras: Add any extras like glitter to the mixture. This step is the final mixture stage, so add anything else you want for the best results.

Once you have this mixture, you can separate these colors into smaller containers and start painting faces.

Homemade face paint is simple enough to make more if you run out. The supplies are cheap and give a unique edge to the face paints you provide. You can restock as much as you need, and make many colors at once or just a few. Homemade is an excellent way to go.

Some Watercolor

Some watercolors are non-toxic and can go on faces. However, the mixture used on the face should be as thin as possible to prevent chemicals from soaking into the skin. Ensure you select a kid’s brand that makes an effort to utilize non-toxic ingredients that will work with the skin of all ages and types.

If you need to paint faces and don’t have face painting paint, watercolors will work as a temporary fix. However, they should not become a regular piece of your face painting kit. Only utilize them if necessary.

Makeup

Finally, if you have no face paint whatsoever, makeup can work as a substitute in desperate circumstances. Most makeup products are suitable for the skin. Ensure you select products with clean ingredients for the best results.

You can use items like lipstick, eyeliner, and even eyeshadow to help your face painting come to life. It may not be the most efficient option, but it’s safe as a face paint alternative if you have nothing else to create with as a face painter.

What Paints Are Off-Limits for Face Painting?

We’ve discussed the paint that’s safe to go on the skin, but what about the materials that aren’t safe to go on the dermis? There are several varieties of paint that you should not put on the faces of your customers as a face painter.

Some of the worst paints for skin include:

  • Acrylic paint
  • Oil paint
  • Toxic paint

Always check the bottle before investing in paint to utilize for face painting to avoid chemicals that should not make contact with flesh.

Although none of these paints will seriously hurt you, they could cause damage to your skin or even give you slight poisoning. Steer clear of these and go for one of the options we talked about above instead.

Final Thoughts

Face painting is a simple activity to perform, but you need to have the proper paints. Some are toxic for the skin, and some won’t work well when dealing with the oils that sit on the face. The only material that works well for face painting is face painting paint. This product can sit safely on the skin and create beautiful images.

We hope this information was helpful! With so many options to select from, it’s all too easy to purchase paint that can cause more harm to the face than good. We hope you can find face paint that works for you and start your face painting process right away.

© 2024 Face Painters, LLC