From poo to listeria, these disgusting superbugs and bacteria are probably lurking in your make-up bag – The Sun
IS it time to break up with your make-up and upgrade? Research found superbugs such as E. coli lurking in nine out of ten cosmetics bags.
Dr Amreen Bashir, who led the study at Birmingham’s Aston University, said: “Poor hygiene practice when it comes to using make-up is very worrying when you consider we found bacteria such as E.coli, linked with faecal contamination, breeding on the products we tested.”
Self-confessed make-up slob LYNSEY CLARKE asked London Metropolitan University to swab her cosmetics kit and find out what nasties were lurking. The results are frightening.
LIP LINER
BACTERIA FOUND: Coliforms. Dr Paul Matewele, from London Metropolitan University, says: “Coliform bacteria are usually found in the gut and are part of faecal bacteria – yes, that’s poo. Large amounts of this bacteria have been linked with urinary tract infections.”
Lynsey says: “Poo? It’s horrific to think I’ve smeared that around my lips.”
MAC LIPSTICK
BACTERIA FOUND: Staphylococcus. Dr Matewele says: “This is a bacteria which can cause infections on the skin such as a boil, so you don’t really want to find it on make-up. They usually only cause a problem if they get into the skin through a bite or a cut but can turn deadly if the bacteria enter your bloodstream.”
Lynsey says: “I’ve had acne for the past few years – no wonder when it’s on my make-up. I sometimes use this lippy on my cheeks instead of blusher.”
MAKE-UP BAG
BACTERIA FOUND: Staphylococcus. Dr Matewele says: “Swabs from the make-up bag itself also revealed high levels of staphylococcus. It’s likely the owner has touched surfaces where this bacteria was found, then touched her products and it has then made its way to the bag itself, spreading around other products as it was found on quite a few items.”
Lynsey says: “You can tell by looking at my bag that it’s grimy as hell.”
Cleaning tips
- lWash brushes weekly with shampoo or washing -up liquid
- Replace brushes, blenders & mascaras at least every three months
- Regularly put fabric make-up bag in washing machine
- Scrub plastic make-up bags with washing-up liquid
- Soak beauty blenders in gentle soapy warm water for 30 mins
- Sharpen lip liners & kohl eye liners regularly
L’OREAL MASCARA
BACTERIA FOUND: Listeria. Dr Matewele says: “I would not normally expect to see this on a make-up product. It can cause a form of food poisoning. It’s not necessarily a problem for the owner as they may have built up some immunity. But if the product was shared with someone with a weakened immune system it could make them very unwell. It can be very serious for pregnant women too.”
Lynsey says: “I must have bought this mascara about two years ago. I love the wand so I dip it into other mascaras.”
MINERAL POWDER
BACTERIA FOUND: Enterococcus faecalis. Dr Matewele says: “Enterococcus is a type of bacteria normally found in the gut and the bowel. In healthy people and in small amounts it doesn’t normally cause a problem, but if it spreads to other areas of the body it can be harmful. It can cause abdominal and pelvic infections, UTIs, oral infections, sepsis, wound infections, endocarditis, or even enterococcal meningitis, a rare form of meningitis.”
Lynsey says: “Jesus – it’s a wonder I’ve not ended up in hospital.”
MAKE-UP BRUSH
BACTERIA FOUND: Enterococcus faecalis. Dr Matewele says: “This had more gut bacteria which. as mentioned above, can cause infections if it gets into the blood stream.”
Lynsey says: “I never wash my brushes but to think I’ve been smearing all this dangerous bacteria all over my face is sickening.”
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