Sometimes, babies are born with acne or other temporary marks on their faces. If a mom wants to dab a touch of concealer on her baby’s face before a big family photoshoot, should she refrain? Research says absolutely, but not only because the makeup could harm the baby. Chances are, the makeup doesn’t contain anything toxic to an infant (though it’s always important to look up the ingredients first). The reason it’s a bad idea is that, if the baby is suffering from some sort of skin problem, the makeup will only make it much worse. Many skin problems that newborns suffer are a result of hormonal imbalances, which lead to clogged pores, so makeup will only exacerbate the problem.

Just make sure to do enough research before you try it!

Then there’s Halloween. Some parents might be excited to dress their newest family member up as a kitty for the big night, and they’ll consider painting on a cute little nose and whiskers to complete the look. If you are considering getting your baby dolled up for Halloween, bring any face paint you want to use to your baby’s pediatrician first and have him take a look at the ingredients. Or, if you trust your research skills, look up the makeup online and you might be able to find out if it’s “baby safe.” I recommend leaving the face details to the imagination, but if you really want to put any face paint or makeup on your baby for Halloween, wash it off as soon as the photoshoot is done or right when the relatives leave. If you leave it on, the pores will become clogged.

Remember, when putting any makeup on a baby, make sure it's safe.

Source: Rashmi Sarkar et al: Skin Care for the Newborn. Indian Pediatrics Volume 47 Issue 7 pp. 593-598 July 2010