As a beauty-junkie, I love skin care and I’m a huge advocate for healthy skin, but I also love trying out new makeup looks. Skin will always be healthier with less makeup, but when wearing makeup there are simple hygiene practices everyone should follow to keep their skin as healthy as possible.
Makeup is very susceptible to germs and bacteria, and if these basic steps towards sanitation aren’t taken bacteria gets placed into the skin every time you apply your makeup. This can cause skin irritation, clogged pores, and breakouts.
1. Wash your hands
Before any makeup application, wash your hands. Bacteria and germs build up on your hands as you go through the day and applying makeup involves touching the face again and again. Putting all of that mystery bacteria directly into your face and makeup will cause the skin to breakout.
2. Wash your makeup brushes and sanitize your palettes
Your makeup brushes should ideally be cleaned after every use. If this isn’t realistic for your schedule, sanitize your brushes with isopropyl alcohol (90% or more) in a spray bottle and spray your brushes after each use. The same goes for your makeup palettes, they should be sprayed down and disinfected after every use. Then wash the brushes using lukewarm water and baby shampoo at least once a week. Do not make the water too hot when washing your brushes to prevent the bristles from falling out. The baby shampoo and isopropyl alcohol can be found at any drugstore.
3. Do not share makeup
Besides your own bacteria building up on your makeup, introducing germs and bacteria from others can cause skin irritation and infection. To keep your makeup and brushes clean, do not share with others. If you are doing a friend’s makeup, make sure to wash your brushes before and after, sanitize all products before and after, use disposable applicators if you can, and recommend they bring their own makeup if possible.
4. Clean your makeup bag
Make sure where you store your makeup and your brushes is cleaned every week as well. It becomes pointless to sanitize your brushes and makeup if where you’re storing them makes them unsanitary again. Also make sure they are stored in a cool, dry place. Storing them in heat or sunlight makes an ideal environment for bacteria to grow.
These simple steps will put you on the path to healthier skin, while still being able to wear a great makeup look. And cleaning your brushes does not only ensure a more sanitary application, but clean brushes work better to create a more refined makeup look!
What do you think?