If you do not adequately clean the tools used for makeup, it can cause various skin troubles. Especially in the humid summer, paying attention to tool cleaning is necessary. Since these tools come into contact with your face daily, they are directly related to skin health, necessitating thorough management.
Breeding Ground for Bacteria
In humid weather like these days, bacteria can quickly breed from the remaining residue if you do not clean your makeup tools. Experts recommend cleaning your makeup tools at least once a week. Using them without cleaning can lead to skin inflammation. You should clean tools based on their specific characteristics and replace those you can’t clean.
Risk of Skin Breakouts
Did you know that bacteria can double in a week if you use makeup tools without cleaning them regularly? Researchers have discovered molds, staphylococci, and streptococci in the residue of makeup tools. Using such tools for makeup application can lead to acne and streptococci infections, resulting in redness and swelling. In severe cases, this can cause chills and high fever.
Different Cleaning Methods for Each Tool
Cleaning methods vary depending on the type of makeup tool. To clean eyeliner and lip brushes, wipe them with a cotton pad soaked in remover and then wash them with shampoo. You should soak powder brushes in a shampoo-water mix once weekly to remove makeup and then immerse them in lukewarm water. Even though eyelash curlers don’t directly apply cosmetics, they touch the skin often. So, wiping them with a wet tissue before and after use is advisable, and frequently cleaning them with alcohol-soaked cotton is advisable.
Proper Drying
After cleaning your makeup tools, dry them in a sunny, well-ventilated area. If they don’t dry thoroughly, the leftover moisture can lead to mold, bacteria, and a foul odor. Once dried, wipe them with a towel and wipe them completely water-free. If the brush remains damp, use a hair dryer to finish drying.
Cut Off the Used Foundation Sponge
Foundation sponges, where bacteria breed the most, are better off cutting off the used parts than washing and using them. This is because the residue that has seeped inside remains even after washing, making it easy for bacteria to grow. Other puffs and sponges can be lightly rubbed and washed after soaking in water with foam cleanser for 10 minutes.
Thorough Hand Hygiene Management
It is essential to manage hand hygiene when using cosmetics thoroughly. Hands that are not washed clean become a breeding ground for various bacteria; if your hands are not clean, they can easily contaminate the cosmetics. Therefore, after using one product, thoroughly wipe your hands. It is better not to use dropper or tube-type cosmetics directly on the skin, and if you use a spatula to take out the cosmetics, you can reduce direct hand contact.
Proper Management of Lids
To use cosmetics hygienically, you also need to manage the lid properly. The cap is the part where the hand goes the most when using cosmetics, and the cosmetics that have flowed around the cover should be wiped with a wet tissue and kept clean to prevent the contents from being contaminated. Also, it would be best to close the lid properly to block air and dust after using cosmetics.
Do Not Share with Others
Just as you do not share a toothbrush with others, it is hygienically safe not to share cosmetics and makeup tools. Mainly, if you use lipstick or puff with others, it is no different from applying bacteria left on the other person’s skin to your face. Similarly, tester products in cosmetics stores are not clean, so avoiding applying them directly to your face or lips is better. If you want to test it, it is better to take it in a disposable container and use it.
Check the Expiration Date
In the case of color cosmetics, some colors suit each season or situation, and they are not used every day, so it is easy to use them beyond their use-by date. Also, products believed to be safe because they still have a shelf life can cause side effects due to poor management. Don’t overlook it, thinking that the shelf life is long, and it is good to check the condition of cosmetics when the season changes or every quarter.
Regularly Organize the Vanity
Regularly organize your vanity to sort out oxidized or deteriorated cosmetics. It is advisable not to use cosmetics that have been left over the winter or that have been opened for a year. If you continue to use these cosmetics without realizing it, your face may feel prickly, or, in severe cases, redness or blisters may occur. If the makeup tools no longer become clean with regular cleaning, boldly throw them away and purchase new ones.
By. Jeon Shin Young (press@daily.co.kr)
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