How Bacteria Gets in Your Beauty Products by Alyssa Roberts, LVN

Alyssa Roberts webBeauty products, like food, are perishable and do not last forever. Most woman use makeup daily.  Many may not know the risks when putting these products directly onto the skin. Washing makeup brushes and discarding expired makeup can’t guarantee you’re in the clear when it comes to having bacteria in your beauty products. Since bacteria can’t be seen by the naked eye, it’s sneaky, and once it gets into your makeup, it can cause a number of problems for your skin.  It can cause acne, redness and infection. Here are some easy tips to help keep your makeup as clean as possible:

Cleaning Your Makeup Bag Out: It’s recommended to clean brushes and sponges weekly, but this still does not make you in the clear. Your makeup bag needs to be cleaned out thoroughly at least once a month. Throw it in the washing machine or the dishwasher to get any loose, bacteria-laden products out from the bottom of the bag.

Don’t Share Products: Germs and bacteria can easily spread; this is especially true when it comes to eye makeup because they are most susceptible to getting bacteria in them. If you share beauty products, you’re automatically transferring germs into each other’s products. This is one of the most common ways of getting pink eye.

Use Tubes Instead of Jars: Be aware of buying lotions in a  jar. When you dip your fingers into the jar, you’re transferring bacteria straight into the product. Once bacteria gets into the lotion, the lotion then goes onto your face which can cause irritation, acne and redness. If you have an open cut on your face or body, and you spread the bacteria-filled lotion, it can lead into an infection. It’s much safer to by all beauty products in a tube, then go one step further and apply product with a cotton swap instead of your finger.

The information provided is for general interest only and should not be misconstrued as a diagnosis, prognosis or treatment recommendation. This information does not in any way constitute the practice of medicine, or any other health care profession. Readers are directed to consult their health care provider regarding their specific health situation. Marque Medical is not liable for any action taken by a reader based upon this information.

 

Skip to content