People's 'skin crawling' after seeing video of how dirty makeup sponges are

21 August 2023 , 14:19

481     0

The hidden bacteria in makeup tools has left people's skin crawling (stock image) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Makeup brushes are different for everyone's tastes. Whether you like brushes or sponges, whatever you use to paint your face is up to you, but the anticipated question is - how often do you wash your brushes and sponges?

We can all be guilty of leaving them a little too long, when doing your makeup in a rush and running out the door, the last thing on your mind is giving your brushes a clean. Whether you leave them for a few weeks or even months, harmful bacteria can be lurking in the bristles and sponges causing reactions on your skin.

Neglecting our brushes is something we're all scared to admit, but a recent video has surfaced about what's hiding in your beauty blender. A wonderful tool for flawlessly blended makeup - the iconic sponges are a breeding ground for bacteria readily able to be spread all over your skin.

You might think just leaving a bit of foundation on your sponge is fine, but in a study conducted by Stylpro, it was found that 34% of makeup tools contained more bacteria than the average toilet brush. When touching sponges, you are transferring bacteria onto it every time, and then it multiplies. As well as this, sponges are usually kept in warm makeup bags, where the bacteria thrive.

In a video by myGlamTech, it shows a magnified close-up of what's hiding in our sponges and brush bristles and it's making people reach for their soap immediately. The video stated: "Beauty blenders can also hold onto a considerable amount of bacteria. Researchers have found that brushes and blenders can be dirtier than toilets. Dead skin, dirt and oils cover each brush fibre which creates a breeding ground for bacteria."

Kate Middleton swears by £19.99 rosehip oil that helps 'reduce wrinkles & scars'

Showing the brush fibres and bacteria on a petri-dish, the shocking images have made people's skin crawl. Making many want to clean their brushes immediately as one user asked: "Omg..is this why I break out so much."

"All of this gets rubbed into your skin and into your pores. This is why people get staph infections, pink eye and even acne. This is why regular cleaning is crucial...your skin is too precious to risk," the video further detailed. It has been found that regularly using dirty tools can lead to various nasty and serious infections such as fungal infections, E. coli or a staph infection.

The video has horrified makeup lovers, with many saying they are off to clean their brushes, as one TikToker commented: "Cleaning mine TODAY," whilst another added: "My skin is crawling."

Niamh Kirk