Keep liquid makeup in the refrigerator, especially if you tend to use a single jar of product for a long period of time and/or live in a warm climate. Make sure to shake liquid products, such as foundation, before using. If a lipstick hasn't been used in a while, wipe off the top layer with a tissue or paper towel.
Wash your makeup plate and spray with an alcohol-based solution to sterilize. Wipe down the tables, countertops, and chairs with disinfecting wipes. Throw away used disposable tools immediately. Use disposable applicators when possible: Disposable products will save you a lot of time and hassle!
Wash your hands thoroughly with hot water and soap. Then, use those traditional triangular, disposable sponges to apply the foundation and toss them out after each use. This is why these types of sponges were commonly used. Another way is to use clean hands and apply the foundation but this is more for either yourself.
"Depending on the bacteria or virus and depending on the type of product and its ingredients, beauty products can remain contaminated from a range of a few hours or days to much longer," said Dr. David Lortscher, a board-certified dermatologist and the CEO and founder of Curology.
“It is hard to re-infect yourself,” he said. RELATED: Symptom tracker: Cold, flu — or something else? After being exposed to a virus, the body creates antibodies to fight off the virus. When you recover from that particular virus, your body no longer remains susceptible to that strain.
1. Sponges and cloths: a feast in the kitchen. Every day, you use a soft sponge to clean your dishes or a microfibre cloth to make your sink, worktop or table shine. But in reality, these are the household items which hold the most bacteria according to a study by Scientific Reports.
But since they can be infected with bacteria after only 1 use, it is a good idea to keep track of how long you have been using products like mascara and eyeliners. Although there are no guidelines for cosmetics use, risk of infection can be reduced if you change them every 3 to 4 months, experts suggest.
Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyogenes. The percentage occurrence of bacterial isolated from used lipsticks was 70% while that from un-used samples were 30%.
Sanitizing product: The best way to make sure bacteria is cleaned off of your makeup products is to spray 70% isopropyl alcohol from a few inches away and then keep the container open until it drys fully.
First things first — make sure your hands are clean. Wash them, sanitize them —so important! Squirt (or pump, I don't know your life) a drop of foundation on the back of your hand, and dot it around your cheeks, forehead, and nose with your finger.
Cleanliness is Key
Always start with clean hands and a clean face. Wash your hands before applying makeup to prevent transferring bacteria or other pathogens and irritants to your eyes. Ensure your brushes and applicators are clean, washing them regularly with mild soap and water.
It may be scary cleaning your powder products and some may assume this might damage the powder. However, simply spray 70% isopropyl alcohol over every single one of your powder products (e.g. eyeshadow palettes, face powders, blushers, bronzers, etc) and ensure you thoroughly saturate.
Textbook & Expert-Verified. The makeup supply that does NOT need to be disinfected is mixing cups. They can be easily cleaned or are often disposable, unlike sponge tips, pencil sharpeners, and palettes, which require disinfection. Therefore, the correct choice is mixing cups.
Lash lifts, nourishing serums, and natural treatments have become the new beauty staples, replacing volumising mascaras in our makeup bags. This trend is also a nod to authenticity.
Foundation and concealer
Liquid foundations and concealers should be replaced every 6 to 12 months. Powders can last up to 2 years. Cream formulas fall somewhere in between — about 12 to 18 months.
The primary risk is that certain components may migrate into the eye, potentially causing irritation for some individuals. Due to repetitive applications, these mascaras disrupt the production of tear films or lacrimal film, which covers the surface of the eye and protects it against external assaults.
Inside the Belly Button
In addition to being dark and moist, the belly button also has multiple skin folds, creating the ideal environment for the accumulation of dead skin cells, sweat, and other microorganisms, like bacteria and fungi, Dr. Purdy says.
Cell phones are 146% dirtier than the minimum hygiene standard of 250. Although still failing the minimum standard of cleanliness, the average card is 38.4% cleaner than your phone. The only dollar bill to pass the minimum standard of cleanliness was the $50 bill.
Drews says that the bathroom and kitchen are the most germ-infested areas, in part because they include many of the frequently touched surfaces that can be loaded with germs. “There are less obvious things to think about like high-touch items, handheld electronics and, yes, your smartphone,” adds Dr. Drews.
Colds have a sneaky habit of hitting when you least expect it. Even with careful behaviour, it's possible for viruses to make their way into homes and bodies. During a cold, the bed is where we do most of our resting and healing. However, that also means that the bed sheets have high levels of exposure to germs.
Airborne Particles From Toilet Flushing Can Actually Make Their Way to Your Toothbrush Bristles! Your toothbrush can harbor up to 10 million bacteria of various strains. Some of these bacteria are harmless, while others can be fatal.