5 Ways To Keep Bacteria Out of Your Beauty Products

We use our favorite products to on our faces every day—but the same can't be for how frequently we them. In fact, according to one study conducted by Aston University, superbugs including E.coli and Staphylococci have been found in more than nine out of ten of our daily beauty products, with mascara, beauty blenders, and lip gloss as the worst culprits. The findings are hardly surprising considering only 61 percent of women clean their makeup kit once a month, if at all, and 31 percent of millennials don't know how to clean their beauty tools properly. So, if your makeup bag is caked in concealer and you can't quite remember how long that foundation’s been rolling around in your purse, it may be time to introduce a cleanser to your routine. “Sterilizing your products is paramount in order to stop the spread of bacteria,” says skin expert Lisa Harris. “Whether it’s your makeup, brushes, jade roller, or other beauty tools, it’s highly important to stop the build-up of dead skin cells and excess oil, as well as the spread of bacteria, as these are the main causes of blocked pores, acne, breakouts and dull-looking skin.” 

Lackluster complexion aside, celebrity facialist Debbie Thomas warns there could be more serious consequences to neglecting your beauty kit. “On their own, no bacteria will grow on your tools. But add a layer of oils and moisture from product, as well as oil and cells from your own skin, and suddenly you have a hotbed of bacterial activity that you then push over your skin. This can lead to inflammation and potentially an infection like folliculitis on your skin or conjunctivitis in your eyes,” she says.

Although our beloved blending sponges may harbor the highest levels of bacteria, scientists have also found that air exposure, dirty fingers and double-dipping make-up brushes all contribute to dangerous microbes finding their way on and in our products, not to mention formulas that are way past their sell-by date. Sound familiar?

Luckily, it’s not too late to turn things around, starting with a serious cosmetic clear-out. “You should wash or clean your products after every use, in an ideal world, because bacteria can multiply quickly,” Thomas says. With a jam-packed schedule and a growing to-do list, washing our makeup every day may not seem feasible, which is why a quick and fool-proof routine is key. “Things like jade rollers should be cleaned after every use—this can be done super quickly by using a quality antibacterial spray, wipes, or even just hot soapy water,” Harris advises. Beyond lathering up, find five expert-approved ways to keep bacteria at bay.