Children listen to a reading lesson in a nursery classroom at an elementary school in Seoul, South Korea (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety issued guidelines on February 25 for the safe use of cosmetics among youth, responding to a trend of increasingly younger children beginning to use makeup products.
A survey conducted by the ministry from May to November last year revealed that 11% of elementary school students and 26% of middle and high school students regularly use color cosmetics. The study, which included 13,952 students — 9,274 in elementary school and 4,678 in middle and high school — found that most children begin using makeup between the fifth grade of elementary school and the first year of middle school.
Among those who reported using makeup, 32% of elementary school students said they started in fifth grade, while 39% of middle and high school students began in sixth grade. The survey also found that most young people learn about cosmetics primarily from family members and friends, with YouTube and social media serving as secondary sources of information.
Health officials emphasized the importance of parental guidance in teaching proper cosmetic use, given the younger age at which children are beginning to experiment with makeup and their reliance on informal information sources.
The agency warned that adolescents are particularly susceptible to acne due to increased sebum production and thickening of the stratum corneum – the outermost layer of skin – caused by hormonal changes. These factors, combined with cosmetic ingredients that can clog pores, make it advisable for teenagers to minimize the use of color cosmetics.
The ministry’s guidelines stress the importance of thorough cleansing after makeup application and advise against sharing cosmetics with friends due to contamination risks. Officials recommend testing new products on a small area of skin before use, particularly given the risk of allergic contact dermatitis from pigments and metals in color cosmetics. They advise users to discontinue use and seek medical attention if allergic reactions, skin rashes, itching, pain, or contact dermatitis occur.
The safety recommendations extend to proper product handling, with the ministry emphasizing the need to check expiration dates and store products in cool places away from direct sunlight. Officials also stressed the importance of maintaining clean hands and makeup tools, properly securing product caps, and discontinuing use if the color or scent of products changes.
Of particular concern, the agency highlighted recent cases where color cosmetics and eye makeup products purchased through overseas direct shopping platforms like AliExpress and Temu were found to contain heavy metals such as lead and nickel exceeding Korean safety standards. Officials urged consumers to verify that imported cosmetics do not contain ingredients banned in South Korea by checking the ministry’s drug safety website.
“With the growing trend of younger children using makeup, it’s crucial for parents to guide their children in safe cosmetic use practices,” a ministry official said. “Particular attention should be paid to the risks associated with products purchased from overseas vendors that may not meet our safety standards.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
