A microbiologist just confirmed the gross types of bacteria living on our makeup brushes
Raw meat, spoiled fruits and contaminated veggies are typically the places you would expect to find the bacteria responsible for serious strains of food poisoning: E.coli.
However, according to microbiologist Amy-May Pointer, who carried out a study for PrettyLittleThing, it turns out E.Coli, amongst other bacterias, are turning up (uninvited) in our beauty cupboard.
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During the petri dish experiment, comparisons between frequently-cleaned beauty tools, including sponges and brushes, were up against ones that were rarely, if ever, washed.
Image credit: Daily Mail
Within these findings were bacteria responsible for skin conditions as severe fungal acne, which appears in the form of itchy, inflamed blemishes.
Comparing the beauty products side-by-side, the regularly cleaned example had just one organism growth compared to the uncleaned example, which indicated an extremely high density of bacterial growth including E.coli and differing types of Staphylococcus epidermidis (S.epidermis).
And according to Amy-May, “S. epidermis is found as part of the normal skin microbiota, but also has been found to contribute to the inflammation of acne”.
E.coli, on the other hand, is not found in our normal skin microbiota but actually originates in our gastrointestinal tracts.
So, the explanation for its cameo on our makeup brushes? You guessed it, fecal matter (gross, sorry, we know).
In short, if you’re storing your brushes or sponges near a toilet in your bathroom, we suggest you go and conduct an immediate rescue mission.
If these findings have urged you to go conduct a COVID-style clean on every beauty brush and blender you’ve ever laid eyes on, here is our step-by-step guide on how to clean your makeup brushes properly.
Main image credit: Getty
How often do you clean your brushes?
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51 Member Comments
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COVID has had us cleaning everything. Need to add the brushes and sponges to the mix
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After thorough research, I noticed they invented a product just for the occasion. You can clean your brushes with ease.
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Definitely a reminder for me to always clean my sponges! I currently wash them at least once a week with detergent and oil. So far, it does the work by removing majority of foundation.
If anyone has other ways to clean them, feel free to reply!
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Grose I better put the cleaning schedule in my diary
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Good reminder to wash makeup brushes..
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I'd be interested to see an article on how effective the spray brush cleaners are. i have the E.L.F daily brush cleaner spray, but I do sometime wonder how effective it is.
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I haven't tried a sponge yet but would like to
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Eew. runs to grab brushes and clean them
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I try to cleanse my brushes once a week but may try twice a week
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I don't wash them often.Only wash them after using them 2 to 3 times.This makes me to wash more often.
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So disgusting. Thankfully I clean my brushes regularly and I have never at any point stored them in the bathroom. I don't store anything makeup related in the bathroom. I don't even store my moisturiser in the bathroom.
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Cleaning my brush (which I don't clean often enough :-() right now!
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Yuck!!! I clean my brushes regularly and dont store them in the bathroom.
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That’s why it is important to clean them
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Oh well this inspires me to clean all my sponges/brushes and get them out in the sun!
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Oh yuck! I'm throwing out my sponge when I get home and giving my brushes a good wash
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A good reason not to use one, just use your fingers
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Yep this definitely grosses me out. This a reminder to clean my brushes again (I spray them in between washes).
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