Here’s Why You Should Stop Sharing Makeup
Have you ever asked your best friend to use her new lipstick or eye shadow? Next time you might want to think twice! Sharing makeup and applicators can actually be risky to your health. While seemingly harmless (after all, you know your best friend really well, right?) people who share makeup are at risk for contracting some potentially serious medical issues, including conjunctivitis or herpes.
Even worse than sharing with your friends, trying makeup testers in stores is the equivalent of sharing makeup with dozens of complete strangers. They are an extremely common route for bacteria transfer. So always “try out” the makeup on the back of your hand rather than on your face or lips.
Makeup is the ideal breeding ground for viruses and bacteria. The very nature of makeup (particularly liquid formulations) and the dark containers in which they are typically packaged are the perfect habitat for unwanted germs. Makeup brushes, even when properly cleaned between applications, have a high degree of transferring bacteria each time they pass over cracks in the skin or popped pimples.
Here are 4 good reasons to stop sharing makeup (and tools) immediately:
Acne
At the very minimum, using some else’s makeup exposes your skin to their natural oils (sebum) and bacteria. When you share makeup, you are transferring these unwanted elements directly to your face, which can irritate your current acne or spawn future breakouts.
Cold Sores
Even if your friend does not have signs of sores or irritation around their lips, she could be carrying the herpes virus. Just sharing lipstick or lip gloss one time could land you a condition that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Eye Infections
The sharing of common eye makeup products like liquid mascara, eyeshadow, or eyeliners can result in a variety of unwanted eye infections like stye, conjunctivitis (pink eye), or warts. The skin around the eyes is extremely sensitive, making it very susceptible to infection.
Staph Infections
Sharing makeup increases your chances of contracting staph infections like Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The good news is that most staph infections can be treated with simple antibiotics. However, if left untreated it is possible for a staph infection to spread into the blood stream, heart, or lungs.
A united group of skin care specialists from Westlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, Austin's leader in Dermatology and Plastic Surgery. Articles posted under WD staff are authored through combined contributions from our entire team, including Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists, Aestheticians, Physician Assistants, Aesthetic Nurses, and Patient Coordinators.
Ewwww never sharing makeup again 🙂