What are Halloween costume masks made from?

A man working on a silicone mask for a film in a special effects workshop

Source: © Nejron Photo/Shutterstock

Find out about the creative chemistry behind costume masks

Halloween and fancy dress parties are great opportunities to get creative. But, if you’re short on time or want to be the most realistic ghost, ghoul, goblin or member of the Avengers, it’s never been easier to put together an amazing costume – and it’s all thanks to some smart chemistry.

Discover the applications of liquid latex and silicone in the movie industry and be who, or whatever, you want at the next fancy dress party you’re invited to. 

Thanks for using Education in Chemistry. You can view one Education in Chemistry article per month as a visitor. 

A photograph of a teacher standing in a white lab coat, speaking with a class of children in a laboratory, is superimposed on a colourful background. Text reads "Teach Chemistry means support for classroom and staff room".

Register for Teach Chemistry for free, unlimited access

Registration is open to all teachers and technicians at secondary schools, colleges and teacher training institutions in the UK and Ireland.

Get all this, plus much more:

  • unlimited access to resources, core practical videos and Education in Chemistry articles
  • teacher well-being toolkit, personal development resources and online assessments
  • applications for funding to support your lessons

Already a Teach Chemistry member? Sign in now.

Not eligible for Teach Chemistry? Sign up for a personal account instead, or you can also access all our resources with Royal Society of Chemistry membership.