How dirty is your makeup?

Most of us don't really know how easy it is to contaminate the things we put on our face everyday or how the germ of your favorite face powder, eyeliner, mascara can transmit to seriously ugly infection - in some rare cases, untreated eye infections can possibly lead to blindness.

Figure 1: Bacteria in eye makeup can potentially lead to pink eye.

Source: Healthline

In general, preservatives in cosmetics perform its function of killing common-use bacteria. However, as soon as you open a new makeup, airborne bacteria immediately get into the products, after that, you constantly add up more bacteria yourself with your beauty applications touching the products or your unclean fingers. According to Hello Rory, the tip of your fingers is as dirty as the public elevator buttons, with 300 CFUs (bacteria per square centimeters) compared to 313 CFUs respectively. Moreover, bacteria can also come from household dust and dirty surface. Not to mention our makeup bags - an ideal bacteria - breeding environment, will be full of contaminants if you don't have a habit of washing it regularly. As a result, bacteria can travel from our makeup bag to our hands then our brush and end up on our skin. These bacteria are building up day by day, so if you are using a product over a long time, consider the amount of contagious bacteria your face exposing everyday when applying makeup.

Figure 2: This is what your makeup look like through the lens of a microscope.

Source: NBC 25 News.

Most of us find it hard to get rid of our makeup before hitting the bottom of the container. Especially, when it comes to high-end makeup, one mascara or blush can cost us up to $50, that's why we tend to keep using it longer than recommended. According to ABC News, bacteria or fungi in your makeup can result in serious consequences from breakouts, irritation to abscesses, or even worse: pathogens.

Although cosmetics aren't required by law to indicate expiration dates on their labels, antibacterial agents start to break down after about six months. Most experts agree that products around the eyes, especially mascara and eyeliner has a shorter life than other cosmetics, and is the likeliest to cause problems. It is highly recommended that mascara should be tossed away after three months of using. It’s not easy to remember the day you start to use something new, but it's never too late, next time, try to note the date you begin to use a product on its packaging. Here below is the general guidelines on makeup shelf life:

Figure 3: Recommended usage time for your makeup.

Source: Hello Rory

Either throw it away or clean it, remember basic hygiene for your makeup is crucial! Avoid sharing your makeup with friends, because each skin is used to its own bacteria and your skin may not be very welcome for your friend's bacteria. Last but not least, make sure to clean your beauty tools and makeup bag regularly!