How clean is that sponge you use to smooth on your foundation?

For your beauty, health and safety, check the condition of your beauty products. It’s a good practice to always check your products before using them. But there always seems to be items you use only occasionally or not at all. Why not get out one of those shiny new calendars for 2013 and schedule a Beauty Products check every 3 months or so?

The French National Institute for Consumers INC warns cosmetics should not be used if they show any visible changes in color, texture, or odor. Give products the sight, smell, and touch tests: does the product look like new? Does it smell right?

Here’s a test tip: Put a tiny amount of the product on the underside of your arm and leave it there for an hour; do you see any changes on your skin? You might be allergic or the product may have turned. This is also a good idea whenever trying out a new product, especially anything you will put on your face – you don’t want to be heading out on a date or to your job with splotches or rashes or allergy burns!

Climate can affect your personal care products. If you store items in a bathroom, they can be exposed to high humidity, which can promote bacterial growth. Temperatures in closets can rise. Even extended exposure to air can cause powders to crumble and lotions to sour.

According to dermatologists, the higher the water content of the product, the shorter the shelf life -- and the greater the possibility of bacterial growth.

Mascara and eyeliner should be renewed after 3 months because tears contain bacteria and dead cells. After touching your eyelashes and returning the wand to its container, bacteria can grow very quickly inside the closed tubes.

Clean and sterilize your body care tools. Of course, you regularly wash towels and washcloths in the laundry but how often do you clean sponges, brushes, and your other beauty tools? Something for your calendar – once a week or at least once a month, you should sterilize anything you use regularly. Throw out anything that gets old but by cleaning your sponges, powder puffs, and other tools of your beauty regime, they will last longer and be safer to use.

Cleaning tips for beauty tools:

• Wash out your makeup and hair brushes regularly with dish detergent or shampoo.
• Sponges and powder puffs can be boiled in hot water on the stove.
• Metal tools like tweezers, cuticle sticks, nail clippers, and other items can go in the boiling pot as well (but no plastics as they’ll melt)
• Plastic tools can be microwaved.
• All tools can be sterilized in an alcohol bath but anything that will touch your face (especially those used around the eyes) should be rinsed with clean water before use.
• Lipsticks, eye pencils, and other wax-based products can be dunked in or left overnight in mouthwash (toothbrushes, too!).
• Use vinegar, alcohol, or even window cleaner to wipe off the exteriors of glass and plastic bottles and cases – anywhere your hand touches, you leave or pick up germs.
• Mouthwash and vinegar are among the safest solutions to sterilize items that touch your skin. Just be sure to rinse well with water afterwards.

Image courtesy of Michal Marcol /FreeDigitalPhotos.net

By Teviot Fairservis.

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