I heard from a lot of you after I shared the amazing Amazon makeup brush cleaner and I hope you’re enjoying fresh, good-as-new tools that are free of product buildup and bacteria! But if you’re still dragging your feet on makeup-brush maintenance, maybe this recent research from the Journal of Applied Microbiology will change your tune.
In this study, researchers took a closer look at 96 lipsticks, 92 eyeliners, 93 mascaras, 107 lip glosses and 79 makeup sponges donated b people like you and me. Testing revealed that 90% of the products across all categories were brimming with fungi and bacteria, including E. coli and staphylococci. And for all of you BeautyBlender devotees, I’m sorry to report these are basically squishy petri dishes. Even more, 93% of the sponges tested were never cleaned, and 64% had been used after being dropped on the floor. (Yuck!)
Although this study didn’t look at blush, bronzer, eyeshadows or foundation (or the actual tools used to apply makeup), it’s safe to assume that ALL of our makeup is a breeding ground for bacteria—and your brushes are spreading these microorganisms all over your face. Washing your brushes doesn’t seem like such a chore now, does it?
