Beat Those Beauty Bag Bugs

Most of us are unaware that our beauty bags are hubs for bacteria, yeast, and fungi. A recent study found 79 to 90 percent of cosmetics were contaminated with potential harmful bacteria and fungi. Beauty blending sponges, in particular, were found to hold the highest contamination—with 93 percent of owners reporting they’d never cleaned them. Although bugs in our beauty care is a real concern, here are some simple steps to help keep them clean and safe to use.

• Wash your hands before applying cosmetics.
• Keep cosmetics sealed when not in use.
• Make sure that cosmetic brushes are cleaned weekly with mild shampoo.
• Wash makeup sponges (beauty blenders) daily with warm soapy water and leave out to dry completely.
• Avoid sharing makeup.
• Don’t apply makeup on open skin, sores, or cracks.
• If you think you have an eye infection or the eye area is red, wait until it’s healed before applying eye makeup.
• Ask for individual-use applicators when sampling makeup.
• Discard older makeup and applicators.
• Store cosmetics in a cool, dry place.