People are left with goosebumps after discovering what horrors might be lurking in their makeup kits.
It can be tempting not to clean brushes and sponges regularly, but experts warn that over time they can collect dead skin, dirt and oils.
This makes them a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, and users of unclean brushes then unwittingly smear them all over their face – putting them at risk for a whole range of conditions, including conjunctivitis, ringworm and acne.
US-based experts warned that infections are triggered when the bacteria penetrate the pores of the skin, adding that many unclean brushes are “dirtier than toilet seats”. Eye shadows, blush tools, and lip glosses are some of the worst offenders.
Above is a makeup sponge being swapped out and then the bacteria and fungi that grew afterward. They are presented as white and yellow colonies on the Petri dish
The image above shows a makeup brush and the bacterial and fungal communities that can live on it if not cleaned regularly
Experts recommend people wash their makeup brushes and sponges every seven to 10 days to avoid dirt build-up.
But estimates are that 22 percent of Americans never clean them, while 39 percent do it less than once a month.
A video uploaded to social media by US makeup cleanser brand GlamTech shows the condition of uncleaned brushes.
It shows a well-used, seemingly clean sponge and brush being wiped in a Petri dish, which is then put away for incubation.
However, investigators are shocked to return to discover an explosion of yellow and white dots – colonies of bacteria – all over the bowl.
The voiceover says, “Researchers have found that brushes and blenders can be dirtier than toilets.”
“Because of this, people get staph infections, conjunctivitis, and even acne.”
“That’s why regular cleaning is so important.”
The video went viral online, garnering more than two million views and over 150,000 likes.
In response to the video, one social media user said, “No wonder I have conjunctivitis.”
A second said, “Let me go…clean…her,” while a third replied, “I have goose bumps on my skin.”
Last year, a survey by the UK-based dermatologist Aventus Clinic found that makeup brushes can harbor more bacteria than a toilet seat.
The team wiped down 12 makeup brushes and a toilet seat, but found that 11 of the 12 – 92 percent – were dirtier than a toilet.
Eye shadow was the worst offender, they said, followed by blush tools and lip gloss.
Using dirty makeup brushes puts you at risk for a whole host of infections, including staph (left) and conjunctivitis
Pictures from the tests showed that the eyeshadow brush was almost entirely covered in flaky blue and green mold, while the foundation brush left a trail of large droplets of blood-red bacteria.
“It’s terrifying to see how many bacteria can possibly be sitting on a makeup brush,” said Dr. Suhail Alam, Medical Director of Aventus Clinic.
“It’s not entirely shocking, though.”
“Even after a person uses a makeup brush for the first time, colonies of bacteria begin to form.”
“With everyday use, brushes automatically begin to accumulate dirt, pollutants, oil and dead skin cells, which is why makeup brushes serve as a breeding ground for bacteria that can lead to pimples and skin irritation.”