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How To Avoid Horrible Infections From Old, Dirty Makeup

Modified on August 29, 2017 at 6:32 PM

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Our makeup holds plenty of secrets! It helps us put our best face forward, but what happens when it actually works against us?

Dirty makeup and contaminated brushes are a girl’s worst enemy. To avoid a dirty makeup disaster, it’s important to learn about the infections and conditions they can cause, along with what you can do to avoid an unhealthy situation.

 

Skin Breakouts

Noticing more blemishes than usual? While there could be other causes, like stress or hormones, dirty makeup is a common culprit. Make sure you’re always applying makeup to a clean face and removing it before bed, but most importantly, make sure you’re applying it with clean brushes and applicators.

 

Herpes

Once you contract the herpes virus, it stays in your body forever. You may never know if the friend you’re sharing that lip gloss with has the virus. Do yourself (and your lips) a favor and never share lip products. Because the herpes virus loves moist, dark environments, your lip gloss and lipstick provide the perfect living conditions. If you want to keep your lips free of painful and unsightly sores, keep your lip products to yourself and replace them as needed.

 

Fungal Infections

Fungal infections can occur anywhere on the body, including the face. If your brushes or makeup have been exposed to fungus, or developed it because of improper storage (such as damp products stored in a warm, dark drawer), the fungus can be transferred to your skin and wreak havoc. If you’re noticing strange rashes or dry, cracked, or sore skin, replace your makeup and thoroughly clean your brushes. Fungal infections can quickly turn serious, so seek medical attention if you don’t notice quick improvement.

 

Clogged Pores

Clogged pores can dull your complexion, speed up the aging process, and lead to serious breakouts. You have to be cautious when choosing makeup to avoid products that are more likely to clog pores. Hypoallergenic makeup always works best for me. But it’s not just about which products you use – it also comes down to the application process. Make sure your foundation isn’t old and always use clean sponges to apply it. Avoid using your fingers as this can transfer bacteria from your hands into the bottle. Clean your blush brush on a regular basis to avoid clogged pores on your cheeks.

 

Staph Infections

A staph infection is a blanket term for a multitude of diseases. A staph infection is a group of bacteria that can cause boils, cellulitis, and toxic shock syndrome, just to name a few.

It is possible to contract a staph infection through contaminated makeup. Though rare, these infections can lead to serious and permanent life-altering effects, like paralysis. Remember that these types of infections can’t be detected until they’re well underway, so it’s always wise to keep anything that encounters your face and mucus membranes as clean as possible, including makeup and brushes.

 

Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is a common infection of the inner eyelid and outer membrane of the eye itself. If you notice any swelling, soreness, or redness, seek medical attention for a diagnosis. Pink eye is easy to spread and can be contracted through dirty makeup. Never share mascara, eyeliner, or eyeshadow and make sure that your applicators have been recently cleaned. (Secret Tip: breast milk cures pink eye in 24-48 hours!)

 

E. coli

An E. coli infection is brought on by contact with feces of either humans or animals. Though it’s more common to contract it through food and water, it can also spread through makeup application. If your hands are contaminated, the bacteria can spread into your makeup bottles and tubes, where it can fester and then be spread onto your face. Though the infection usually clears on its own, there are serious symptoms that can arise, including fevers, vomiting, and dehydration.

 

Horror Stories

Imagine getting ready for the biggest day of your life – your wedding day. After your trial makeup session at a prestigious salon, you start to notice a little redness around your eye. The next day, the pain is incredible and there’s no way to disguise the swelling. It happened to Melissa Barter two weeks before she was supposed to walk down the aisle. Luckily, the infection cleared up before the big day, but she learned her lesson.

Kelly Birch had a similar experience. She never paid much attention to the age of her makeup until she noticed a rash starting to form on her right cheek. She gave it a few days, but it started to dry out and crack. When she headed to her doctor’s office where she found out that she had a fungal infection, most likely due to contaminated makeup.

On most days, you’ll be able to apply makeup without any adverse reactions. But the risk is real and the side effects can be serious, so take the proper precautions.

 

 

What Can You Do to Avoid Infections?

There are a few things you can do to prevent infections from your makeup and brushes. Remember to make the following part of your makeup routine:

 

Don’t apply makeup with your fingers.

Bacteria covers your fingers, even if you’ve just washed your hands. If you use your fingers to apply your makeup, you’re introducing bacteria to your tubes, palettes, and jars of product. These bacteria sit, where they can multiply and strengthen. The next time you go to use your makeup, you’ll be applying bacteria straight on your skin.

 

Use clean applicators.

Every time you use a makeup brush or applicator on your skin, it picks up skin cells and, you guessed it, bacteria. If left to be, serious bacterial colonies can build up and set up camp on your skin the next time you use a contaminated brush. At least once a month, wash your makeup brushes with makeup brush cleaner and warm water. Let them air dry completely before using them again.

 

Start and end with a clean face.

Wash your face before applying makeup to minimize the number of bacteria already on your skin. Always end your day with a thorough cleansing to minimize the number of bacteria left on your skin from makeup and your daily activities. This can help prevent makeup contamination from happening in the first place.

 

Dispose of makeup according to recommendations.

Depending on the type of makeup, you’ll want to dispose of it by its recommended expiration date. You won’t find one printed on your products though. Toss mascara after a 2-3 months and liquid foundations after 6 months. Powder based products can last up to two years. Liquid eyeliners should be disposed of after three months, while pencil eyeliners are safe for two years, if you’re the sole user. If a product ever has an odd odor or you fear it’s been contaminated, it’s smart to replace it immediately.

 

 

What Do the Experts Say?

According to Vivian Bucay, MD, a San Antonio-based dermatologist, there’s always the risk of spreading bacterial or viral infections through makeup. “We all harbor bacteria on our skin surface and these can contaminate our cosmetics.”

In other words, there’s no safe way to share makeup or apply it without taking the risk of spreading bacteria. But when you use proper techniques and put your health first, it’s easier to apply makeup in a safe manner that doesn’t just look great but keeps your skin happy and healthy.

The last thing you want is the infection ending you up in hospital, if you do there are services like “Hospital Stays” a online accommodation service to help take out the struggles of finding a hotel or serviced apartment.
 

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Posted By The Fashionable Housewife
on July 25, 2017 at 8:10 AM
Filed Under: Acne, Aging / Wrinkles, Beauty, Body, Budget Beauty, Cheeks, Cruelty Free, Eye Liner, Eyebrows, Eyeshadow, Face, Foundation, Hands & Feet, Health & Fitness, Just For Kids, Lip Balm / Treatment, Lip Gloss, Lip Plumpers, Lip Stain, Lipstick, Makeup, Makeup Palettes, Mascara, Nail Polish, Primers, Rosacea, Skin Care, Sun Protection, Tanning & Bronzing
Tagged With: Acne, dirty makeup, expired makeup, fungus, herpes, Makeup, old makeup, pink eye, staph infection

About The Fashionable Housewife

Sarah-Jean Ballard is the Editor in Chief of The Fashionable Housewife blog and Founder of Fashionable Media. Married to a sexy Molecular Biologist, housewife, mom to 5, homeschooler, Certified Personal Nutritionist and entrepreneur who's mission is to help moms just like you look and feel GREAT! Other interests include dancing, yoga, positive intactivism, natural birth and breastfeeding support, babywearing, paleo & gluten-free cooking, and promoting an overall healthy lifestyle to all.

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You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

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If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

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This little guy always asks to help when he sees me cleaning the house, washing the floors, doing laundry, or emptying the dishwasher. That’s what I love about Montessori parenting - it allows kids to do  big jobs and in turn makes them eager to help! 

He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

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Sometimes we outgrown relationships. Sometimes we realize someone else isn’t a good influence on our lives. Sometimes we realize we aren’t a good influence for someone else. Sometimes we need to let things go that aren’t good for us in order to grow. And that’s ok. 

Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
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The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

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You do not find a happy life. You make it. 

That’s the biggest lesson that grief has taught me. If I just wait around to be happy again, I’ll die sad. 

You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

#choosehappy #joyinthejourney #griefjourney #healingfromtrauma
8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favor 8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favorite. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, @daeinexplains 🥰

The last 20 years with you have been my favorite years on this earth. ❤️ 

If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

#couplegoals #marriedlife #motherhoodthroughinstagram #weddingday #marriagegoals #yourestilltheone
Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍ Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍♀️

This little guy always asks to help when he sees me cleaning the house, washing the floors, doing laundry, or emptying the dishwasher. That’s what I love about Montessori parenting - it allows kids to do  big jobs and in turn makes them eager to help! 

He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

#lovevery #loveverytoddler #loveverypartner #montessoriathome #montessoriplayroom #montessoritoddler
Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hol Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hole. 

Sometimes we outgrown relationships. Sometimes we realize someone else isn’t a good influence on our lives. Sometimes we realize we aren’t a good influence for someone else. Sometimes we need to let things go that aren’t good for us in order to grow. And that’s ok. 

Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
When your toaster breaks from a power surge you ta When your toaster breaks from a power surge you take that as a sign that it’s time to upgrade! 🤪

It wasn’t hard to pick a new 4 slice toaster. As soon as I saw this one from @haden_usa I added it to my cart. I bought it from @lordandtaylor because it had the fastest shipping and I didn’t want to wait! 

No fancy electronics, screens, or extra features we don’t need. Just simple, straight forward functions and perfect results everytime. Plus it matches all my @cafeappliances too! 😂👍🏻

What do you think of this 4 slice toaster?! 

#toasters #kitchenappliances #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #whitekitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyle #whiteappliances
I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @en I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @enjoiya! 💃🏼 

The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

#leatherbooties #enjoiya #italianshoes #realmomstyle #momstyle #momstyletips
All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with the prices of eggs right now! 🤪 🐔 🥚 

Guess it’s ok to be a crazy chicken lady and have a homestead now! 🤣

#momlife #crazychickenlady #homesteadlife
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