Is It OK for Your Kid To Wear Makeup? 5 Things To Consider

Kids’ interest in makeup often begins at a young age — sometimes as early as preschool — while they’re playing dress up and imitating older kids and adults. It’s fine to be interested, but how early is too early for them to start wearing makeup?

Pediatrician Eva Kubiczek-Love, MD, says there’s not one answer to that question. Dr. Kubiczek-Love shares advice to help you make the best choice for your family.

5 considerations for letting your child wear makeup

Parents and caregivers may worry about their kids wearing makeup for a few reasons. You may be concerned that it’s not good for their skin, that it will expose them to dangerous chemicals or that it’s inappropriate to wear makeup at their age.

Whether your kid starts asking to borrow your lipstick at 3 or 13, it’s best to talk with them about their newfound interest.

“The first rule of thumb is having an open discussion about makeup as soon as your child expresses interest,” Dr. Kubiczek-Love says. Hearing your child out instead of dismissing their request outright demonstrates the value of listening and lets them practice expressing their thoughts and feelings.

What’s the right age?

There’s no “right age” to start wearing makeup. The right answer for your child depends on:

• Maturity: Dr. Kubiczek-Love notes that children who are emotionally mature are more likely to use cosmetics responsibly (and ask for help dealing with body image issues, if they arise).
• Your family’s perspective: Your values, priorities and parenting style will all inform the decision-making process.
• Their school: Some dress codes include rules about cosmetic use.
• Their activities: Your child may be asked to wear makeup for artistic performances or athletic events.

Whatever you decide, explain your reasoning. In addition to fostering mutual respect, it will help your child better understand what makeup means to you.

Here are some other things to take into account.

1. Understanding the ‘why’

Dr. Kubiczek-Love says understanding why your child is interested in makeup is key. When they bring it up, try to withhold judgment and focus on fact-finding. Your goal is to:

• Build context. Thanks to social media, your child likely sees all kinds of makeup. And wanting to learn about special effects makeup for Halloween isn’t the same as wanting to achieve a “no-makeup makeup” look for school.
• Understand their needs. Get curious about your kid’s motives. They may be looking for a creative outlet or aspiring to a career as a makeup artist. But they could also be experiencing peer pressure or bullying.

You don’t have to have answers right away. Instead, make a plan to talk later. It may seem oddly formal, but it gives you a chance to think through the potential outcomes of giving or denying permission.

2. Setting guidelines

Whether or not you’re going to let your child wear makeup, lay out clear expectations, boundaries and consequences up front.

If you support your kid trying makeup, set up rules about:

• The types of makeup they can wear, like lipstick vs. eyeliner
• The brands or formulations they can wear (cruelty-free, vegan, etc.)
• When they can wear it
• Whether they can apply it themselves or need to ask an adult for help
• How you’ll let them know if you think they’re wearing too much
• What could cause them to lose their makeup privileges

If you aren’t OK with your kid wearing makeup, let them know when (or if) the topic will be up for discussion again, and how you arrived at your decision.

3. Ensuring product safety

If your kid’s wearing makeup, you need to be sure the products you’re purchasing are appropriate for young skin. (Another good reason for not sharing your makeup stash!)

A trending question in recent years has been whether young kids wearing “too much” makeup is causing skin problems that didn’t exist in earlier generations. But it’s rarely wearing makeup that’s the issue. The trouble typically lies in what products they’re using and how they’re caring for their skin.

Makeup created for adults often contains active ingredients (like retinol, salicylic acid and glycolic acid) that can damage children’s thinner, more absorbent skin. Or it may be oil-based — that’s helpful for aging skin, but it can cause breakouts in kids.

You can’t assume that makeup for kids doesn’t have these ingredients. It’s all about doing your research.

Dr. Kubiczek-Love says that, regardless of branding, safe makeup for kids is:

• Marketed for sensitive skin: These products are less likely to contain known allergens, harsh chemicals or perfumes. They often have shorter ingredient lists, too.
• Third-party tested for quality and safety: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate cosmetics before they go to market, so stick with brands that get their products tested by a lab with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) accreditation.

And don’t let terms like “organic” or “clean makeup” fool you.

“Many cosmetics, including those labeled natural and organic, aren’t monitored to the standards parents might expect,” Dr. Kubiczek-Love explains.

No matter what the product is, side effects can happen. For a minor cosmetic allergy like redness or itching, give your child an antihistamine and call their doctor.

Severe allergic reactions (the kind that cause facial swelling or hives) could spread to your child’s airway. If they’re wheezing, vomiting or having abdominal pain, call 911 or your local emergency service.

4. Practicing good hygiene

To avoid side effects of makeup use, like skin barrier damage, teach your kids to:

• Wash their face with warm water and a mild cleanser before putting on makeup
• Apply sunscreen to a clean face (and let it absorb) before applying makeup
• Avoid oil-based makeup, which can clog pores and cause acne and eczema flare-ups
• Remove makeup before bed
• Replace cosmetics every six​ to 12 months
• Never share makeup or applicators that touch your skin
• Clean makeup brushes and tools regularly

5. Maintaining a positive body image

Talk with your cosmetics-curious kid about the true meaning of beauty — and the role makeup plays.

“Remind your kids that the goal of makeup is to enhance their appearance, not change or overpower it,” Dr. Kubiczek-Love suggests. You boost their self-esteem when you:

• Praise their makeup skills, not the “after photo.”
• Model positive self-talk about appearance.
• Encourage honesty about body image.
• Validate and reframe tough feelings.
• Keep makeup feedback constructive and kind.

With your guidance and support, your child can build a healthy body image — with or without makeup.

Alternatives to makeup

“No” is a complete sentence. But when it comes to your kid wearing makeup, it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of alternatives and in-betweens, like:

• Light cosmetic use: If foundation is out of the picture, maybe it’s time to level up to a tinted sunscreen.
• Different beauty practices: Your child may be satisfied with learning how to braid hair, paint nails, make jewelry or style their clothes.
• Creative projects: Facepainting, stickers, body gems and temporary tattoos won’t do the trick for most teens, but they’re a great alternative for primary schoolers to play around with.
• Play sets: Toy makeup or a new dress-up outfit from your closet may be enough to hold a grade school child’s attention. Bonus: Their creativity won’t end up on your wall!
• Travel- or trial-size products: If your biggest concern about your kid trying makeup is the cost, stick with free samples and mini versions of products you trust.

Final thoughts: Slow and steady

If you decide it’s OK for your kid to start wearing makeup, Dr. Kubiczek-Love recommends a slow rollout.

“Ease into wearing makeup. For a preteen, maybe start with lip gloss. Over time, add powder foundation or other products. Don’t dive in with heavy lipstick and eyeliner,” she advises.

This approach helps build their confidence in their ability to apply their own makeup and teaches moderation. It also makes it easier to address allergies.

Their interest in makeup is probably here to stay for now. So, keep the conversation going! There’s plenty to be gained from informal chats about makeup, like helping your kid learn about skin care, self-esteem and how you grew up.

Reasoned discussions, paired with clear expectations and thoughtful boundaries, will help your child explore this new hobby responsibly — without breaking house rules.