Bacteria in Makeup: A New Study Shows Most Makeup is Contaminated with Harmful Bacteria
A new study shows that makeup products are contaminated with harmful bacteria such as e. coli and staphylococci, mostly due to the failure to properly clean makeup utensils and the use of products far beyond their expiration dates. The study was performed by Dr. Amreen Bashir and Professor Peter Lambert at the school of Life and Health Sciences in Aston University, who collected and tested makeup products. The study revealed a shocking nine out of ten makeup products to be infected with bacteria.
The bacteria identified included those known to cause a range of conditions as mild as a skin infection to potentially deadly blood poisoning, and were especially dangerous when used near the eye or mouth or that came in contact with a cut or open wound. The study noted that the risk to a user is greatly increased with a compromised immune system.
The highest levels of bacteria were consistently found in makeup beauty blenders, in which a sponge used to apply concealer or foundation directly onto the face. Beauty blenders are often used wet and left damp creating a perfect environment for breading bacteria and the researchers found that the bulk of the beauty blenders (93%) had never been cleaned and more than half (64%) had been dropped on the floor.
Researchers believe the discoveries they made from testing makeup will help inform consumers who are unintentionally putting themselves at risk – according to the authors, a desire to educate the public is at the heart of the goal of this study. But they also note that this research could lead to some industry changes, such like establishing that it is imperative that makeup products include cleaning instructions with the packaging and make expiration dates more obvious.
Dr. Bashir reiterated her concern for the lack of public knowledge:
“More needs to be done to help educate consumers and the make-up industry as a whole about the need to wash beauty blenders regularly and dry them thoroughly, as well as the risks of using make-up beyond its expiry date.”
As this study was performed in the United Kingdom, where there is a concerted push for better regulations. Some cosmetic safety advocates hope the study, though starting in Europe, will spread to the United States.
