Consumers warned to avoid the ‘Toxic Glow-Up’ this festival season

2 Apr 2026 11:53 AM

As festival season approaches, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is urging consumers to take extra care when buying neon makeup and face/body paints. Bright colours and bold looks may be part of the fun, but unsafe cosmetics are never worth the risk.

With demand for neon lipsticks, mascaras, body paints and face paints rising, more consumers may be sourcing their products online. CTSI is warning that some of these items, particularly those sold by third-party sellers via online marketplaces may fail to meet essential cosmetic safety standards, meaning they could be harmful to health.

Some neon cosmetic products contain colourants that are banned or that are not approved for use on the skin. These ingredients can trigger skin irritation, rashes and allergic reactions, especially around sensitive areas such as the eyes and lips.

Non-compliant neon cosmetic products have previously been found to contain dangerous substances, including lead, mercury and asbestos. These ingredients carry serious long‑term health risks and must never appear in cosmetic products.

Some products have been found to contain excessive amounts of butylparaben, a known reproductive toxicant that can weaken female fertility. Studies have also linked butylparaben to cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and skeletal health problems, as well as respiratory illnesses and breast cancer. 

To avoid UK cosmetic safety regulations, some manufacturers misleadingly label items as ‘not for cosmetic use’, despite marketing them clearly for application to the skin. This is a major red flag and indicates a product is unlikely to be safe or compliant.

To reduce your risk: 

• Buy from reputable, well‑known brands and high street chemists and retailers
• Be cautious of extremely cheap products or sellers you’ve never heard of
• Avoid items labelled “not for cosmetic use” if intended for skin application
• Always check ingredients and safety marking
• Check for the banned colourants: Solvent Yellow 172, CI 45161 (Basic Red 1:1) and CI 45174 (Basic Violet 11:1)
• Do extra research for products designed for children or teenagers
• And know that “SFX” and “Professional Use Only” makeup must still comply with the same strict safety standards as consumer cosmetics 

Richard Knight, Lead Officer for Cosmetics and Beauty at CTSI, said: 

“I know that Trading Standards colleagues have found various neon cosmetic products containing banned colours, with solvent yellow 172 being the most common. The UK’s high product standards mean that all cosmetics (including stage and film makeup) must be safety assessed by scientific experts before being sold, so the broader concern is that if non-approved colours are being used in face paints, lipsticks, mascaras, etc, then these products haven’t been through the rigorous pre-marketing scrutiny that UK law requires. 

If you have purchased any cosmetic product and have concerns, talk to Citizens’ Advice using their free helpline on 0808 223 1133 or online via the website, and your report will be shared with Trading Standards.” 

Kerry Nicol, External Affairs Manager at CTSI, added:

“With festivals becoming ever more popular, we know many people will be looking to experiment with bright, eye‑catching makeup and facepaint. But consumers need to be aware that some neon cosmetics on the market could be unsafe. Toxic ingredients and misleading labels are a real concern, and the risks can be serious. 

“Online marketplaces can be a quick and easy buying option for consumers, but due to many of their products being sold by third-party sellers there is no guarantee that the products are safe to sell in the UK and risk free to those using them. We’re urging everyone to do their research, buy from trusted retailers, and always check the label. A fun festival look should never put your health at risk.”

If members of the public are concerned or would like advice, they can contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 (England and Wales). In Scotland, contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000, or for Northern Ireland call Consumerline on 0300 123 6262.

Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) 

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is a national not for profit established in 1881 which supports the UK’s Trading Standards profession and works to protect consumers and safeguard honest businesses. CTSI's members are engaged in delivering frontline Trading Standards services at local authorities and in businesses 

www.tradingstandards.uk

Please contact CTSI Press Office: pressoffice@tsi.org.uk for any queries.