Our makeup kit has become an indispensable beauty tool. However, if we don't pay attention the same tools that help enhance our beauty can become a leading source of many frustrating beauty and health problems that are totally preventable. Learn what you can do to keep you makeup kit germ free with a few simple tips.
The link between makeup use and acne breakouts has been debated
for a long time. While there might be certain cosmetic ingredients that can
cause acne, one of the main reason why acne breakouts might
increase when using this beauty tool is an improper makeup
hygiene.
Lack of knowledge and a little negligence when it comes to the way
you use and keep makeup tools can have surprisingly negative
effects on your way your skin looks and might even trigger some
nasty infections in certain cases. Here are a few strategies that
you can use to minimize the chances of infections and acne
breakouts by changing some o the habits that might put you at
risk:
Know the shelf life of your makeup products
It's not really a secret that products that are used beyond their
expiration date are the ones that are more likely to be bacteria
infested. Therefore, being informed about the normal shelf life of
the makeup products that you use most often is one of the best ways
to prevent germs and bacteria.
One of the most obvious ways to tell if the product has moved
beyond the expiration date is to look for any changes in the color,
consistency or smell of the products is a clear indication that you
should get rid of those products.
However,until you notice the these changes it might already be too
late. Powder eye shadow, blushers or bronzers, lipstick, lip
liners, pencil eyeliners have the longest shelf life, of about 2
years. Lip gloss, cream and compact foundation and concealers have
a life expectancy of about a year, a year and a half. Eye makeup
products have the smallest shelf life of only 3 to 6 months from
the moment they were first opened. Mascara, liquid eyeliners or eye
shadow begin should be used with caution after the 3 months.
Beware of department store makeovers
Getting a free makeover at the beauty department store might sound
like a good deal however, this decision might end up costing you
more than you would think. Because the products are used on
hundreds of women they are heavily infested with a variety of germs
and bacteria that can pose serious health risks.
Research shows that no matter if you get a free makeover from an
expensive store or a less known one the possibility of infection
remain just as high. If you cannot resist the temptation, you
should at least avoid weekends as at these time the probability of
infection are the highest. Statistically, the lowest infection
rates seem to be on Thursday so do your best to schedule your free
beauty session around that time and use only disposable
applicators.
Avoid sharing makeup
Borrowing makeup from a friend is something that many women do
without even thinking about the consequences of this common
behavior. Sharing eye makeup can put you at risk of conjunctivitis
while sharing lipstick and lip gloss can increase the changes of
getting cold sores. Also, throw away any
lipsticks or lip glosses that you used when if you had cold sores
to avoid repeated contamination.
Clean your makeup tools frequently
Your makeup brushes as well as other makeup tools can be the
leading cause of bacteria spread. It is recommended to use
disposable applicators for everything that touches your eyes or
your lips and to clean makeup brushes at least
once every two weeks. To wash your makeup brushes you should use
lukewarm water and gentle shampoo or detergent of your choice.
Alternatively you can also use vinegar or tea tree oil to clean and
disinfect your make up tools naturally. Another good strategy for
avoiding bacteria spread is to remove the superficial upper layer
from of creams and powders you use, because that is where the
highest concentration of bacteria can be found.
Avoid keeping cosmetics in direct heat
Intense heat can quickly deteriorate the preservatives that are
used to prevent bacteria spread, making your cosmetic products a
fertile environment for all kinds of germs and bacteria. Avoid
keeping makeup products in your car as much as possible and avoid
storing your makeup kit in humid places where bacteria can multiply
at rapid rates. Last but not least make sure that makeup containers
are properly closed after each use. Air contact and humidity can
greatly increase bacteria growth.