Cleaning out your makeup bag is one of those things we tend to put off, like organizing our closets or going to the doctor, but a new study may have you moving this task to the top of your to-do list. Research from Aston University in the U.K. tells us just how much bacteria is breeding inside our makeup bags and it’s pretty unsettling.
The study reveals that nine out of 10 in-use beauty products are harboring potentially “life-threatening superbugs.” Researchers checked out around 500 items including mascaras, lipsticks, and beauty blenders and they found antibiotic-resistant superbugs- including E. coli, staphylococcus, and fungus in and on them.
We know we’re supposed to clean makeup brushes and beauty blenders, but most of us don’t do it after every use. Beauty blenders were found to have the highest levels of potentially harmful bacteria, with 93% of them having never been cleaned, despite 64% of them being dropped on the floor at some point while being used.
- Study author Dr. Amreen Bashir says it’s our unhygienic habits that are contributing to the bacteria. And since the bacteria lurking in our makeup and products could potentially cause conjunctivitis, skin infections, or worse health consequences, we really need to be washing and thoroughly drying beauty blenders regularly as well as tossing expired makeup.
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