From the bristles of brushes to the porous surfaces of sponges, your makeup kit can harbor a host of bacteria and fungi.
These potentially hazardous contaminants can originate not only from the cosmetics themselves, but also from the very surface of our skin.
So, how can we keep things hygienic and avoid microbial growth on makeup brushes and sponges? Here’s what you need to know.
How do germs and fungi get in my makeup brushes and sponges?
Germs and fungi can make their way into your makeup kit in many ways.
Have you ever flushed a toilet with the lid open and your makeup brushes nearby? There’s a good chance fecal particles have landed on them.
Perhaps a family member or housemate has used your eyeshadow brush when you weren’t looking, and transferred some microbes across in the process.
Bacteria that trigger a pimple outbreak can be easily transferred from the surface of your skin to a makeup brush or sponge.
Tiny mites called Demodex mites, which have been linked to certain rashes and acne, live on your skin and may also end up in your sponge or brushes.
Bacterial contamination of lip cosmetics, in particular, can pose a risk of skin and eye infections (so keep that in mind if you use lip brushes). Lipsticks are frequently contaminated with bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Low-quality cosmetics are more likely to have higher and more diverse microbial growth than high-quality ones.
Brushes exposed to sensitive areas like the eyes, mouth, and nose are particularly susceptible to being potential sources of infection.
The range of conditions caused by these microorganisms includes:
- abscesses
- skin and soft tissue infections
- skin lesions
- rashes
- and dermatitis.
In severe cases, infections can lead to invasion of the bloodstream or deep tissues.
Commercially available cosmetics contain varying amounts and types of preservatives to inhibit the growth of fungi and bacteria.
But when you apply makeup, different cosmetics with unique formulations of preservatives can become mixed. When a preservative meant for one product mixes with others, it might not work as well because they have different water amounts or pH levels.
Preservatives are not foolproof, so you also need to observe good hygiene practices when using brushes and other cosmetics applicators.
Keeping brushes clean
Start with the basics: never share makeup brushes or sponges. Everyone carries different microbes on their skin, so sharing brushes and sponges means sharing germs and fungi.
If you need to share makeup, apply it using something disposable or ensure any shared brushes are washed and sterilized before the next person uses them.
Clean makeup brushes with hot, soapy water and rinse them thoroughly.
How often? Stick to a cleaning routine you can repeat with consistency (as opposed to a deep clean that is done annually). Once a week might be a good goal for some, while others may need to wash more regularly if they are heavy users of makeup.
Wash immediately if someone else has used your brushes or sponges. If you’ve had an eye infection, such as conjunctivitis, ensure you clean applicators thoroughly after the infection has resolved.
You can wash with bactericidal soap, 70 percent ethanol, or chlorhexidine solutions. Just make sure you rinse very thoroughly with hot water afterward, as some of these things can irritate your skin. (While some people online say alcohol can degrade brushes and sponges, opinion seems to be mixed; generally, most disinfectants are unlikely to cause significant corrosion.)
Heating or steaming some brushes and letting them dry may also be an effective sterilization method once they are washed with detergent. Microwaving sponges isn’t a good idea because while the heat generated by a domestic microwave would kill microbes, it would need temperatures approaching 100°C for a decent period of time (at least several minutes). The heat could melt some parts of the sponge, and hot materials could cause a scalding hazard.
Once clean, ensure brushes and sponges are stored in a dry place away from water sources (and not near an open toilet).
If makeup is applied professionally, brushes and applicators should be sterilized or changed from person to person.
Should I wash them with micellar water?
No.
Not only is this expensive, it’s unnecessary. The same benefits can be achieved with cheaper detergents or alcohol (rinse brushes carefully afterward).
Disinfection methods such as using bactericidal soap, 70 percent ethanol, or chlorhexidine are all very good at reducing the amount of microbes on your brushes and sponges.
Enzo Palombo, Professor of Microbiology, Swinburne University of Technology and Rosalie Hocking, , Swinburne University of Technology
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
