Children's cosmetics guideline takes effect

An increasing number of parents are saying that they find it hard to select the right cosmetics for their children, as they have no clear idea about the contents of the product.

The State Food and Drug Administration has issued a guideline to streamline application and approval of children's cosmetics, in an effort to raise the safety bars for the market.

The SFDA-enacted guideline provides that cosmetics used by children of 12 years or younger fall into the category of children's cosmetics. All products that claim to be such have to apply for approval. The guideline also demands clear signs on packages indicating that they are cosmetics for children. Qi Liubin, department head from the State Food and Drug Administration explains.

"We've been working on the guideline since 2009, we organized many experts to discuss about the guideline; also we solicited public opinion many times. Finally we put forward the guideline."

According to the guideline, children's cosmetics should minimize certain ingredients. It says producers should avoid using or use less resinoid, coloring agents, antiseptic and surface-active agents.

The guideline says ingredients designed for whitening, acne treatment or removal, hair removal, drying, deodorizing, hair waving and dying, or breast care are "not appropriate" as children's cosmetics. Xu Liang is an expert in daily chemical goods in Beijing. He explains the reasons.

"Children's skin is more delicate and fragile, therefore, the character of children's skin should be taken into account when producing skin care products for children. And ensuring safety of these products is the top priority for the producers."

Furthermore, the guideline says children cosmetics should select ingredients which enjoy a relatively long safe-use history. Ingredients produced with genetic or nano-technology are "not encouraged." However, the guideline does not specify amounts of each ingredient.

Prior to this, China had no testing standards for baby's or children's cosmetics. Due to lack of regulations, the technology and formulas used to produce cosmetics for children are mainly copied from those intended for adults.

Many parents say it's hard for them to make a choice when selecting skin care products for their child.

"I hardly know the contents of the product, and I am not sure if the product will protect or hurt my child's skin. The only gauge we can refer is to select products made by large manufacturers. I suppose those contents would be better than others."

Experts suggest that one principle for selecting cosmetics for children is: "the simpler, the safer." Because children might develop a skin allergy or even other serious skin problems if a product has, for instance, as many coloring agents as those in adult's cosmetics. Doctor Liu Wei explains.

"The skin problems of children include dermatitis, acne and so on. We believe some acne is caused by the inappropriate use of cosmetics."

According to the State Food and Drug Administration, the new guidelines for children's cosmetics will take effect in February 2013.