Raw meat, spoiled fruits and contaminated veggies are typically the places you would expect to find the bacteria responsible for serious strains of food poisoning: E.coli.
However, according to microbiologist Amy-May Pointer (who carried out a study for PrettyLittleThing), it turns out E.Coli, amongst other bacteria, is turning up (uninvited) in our beauty cupboard.
During the petri dish experiment, comparisons between frequently-cleaned beauty tools, including sponges and brushes, were up against ones that were rarely, if ever, washed.
Left: Bacteria found on a frequently cleaned brush
Right: Bacteria found on a dirty brush
Within these findings were bacteria responsible for skin conditions as severe fungal acne, which appears in the form of itchy, inflamed blemishes.
Comparing the results side-by-side, the regularly cleaned example had just one organism growth compared to the uncleaned example, which indicated an extremely high density of bacterial growth including E.coli and differing types of Staphylococcus epidermidis (S.epidermis).
And according to Amy-May, “S. epidermis is found as part of the normal skin microbiota, but also has been found to contribute to the inflammation of acne”.
E.coli, on the other hand, is not found in our normal skin microbiota but actually originates in our gastrointestinal tracts.
So, the explanation for its cameo on our makeup brushes? You guessed it, fecal matter (gross, sorry, we know).
In short, if you’re storing your brushes or sponges near a toilet in your bathroom, we suggest you go and conduct an immediate rescue mission.
If these findings have urged you to go conduct a deep clean on every beauty brush and blender you’ve ever laid eyes on, here is our step-by-step guide on how to clean your makeup brushes properly.
And for every time in between, keep Isocol Rubbing Alcohol Antiseptic ($6.29 at Priceline) in your kit to wipe them down after each use.
Main image credit: Getty
How often do you clean your brushes?
Ewww. Just as well I spray my brushes with alcohol spray after each use and wash them after several uses.
Another good reason to continue using my clean fingers to apply my foundation. The example above doesn’t mention if the brushes were used for applying foundation or powders (translucent; blush & eyeshadows etc).
I rarely wear makeup, so I always cleanse my brushes (& sponges, if I’m using them) after I’ve worn makeup as I don’t know when I’ll be using them again & would want them to be clean.
Gross. Going to clean my brushes and sponges now…..
Eeewwwww yucky! I never ever touch any of my makeup or skincare without washing my hands first. I clean my brushes with a brush cleansing spray after each use, and give them a deep clean every couple of weeks. And there’s no freaking way I’d leave them in the bathroom, because hubby also uses that bathroom and he is a total grot! They are all hidden away safely.
I was not at all surprised to read that. Everything stored in you bathroom would have faecal matter on it sooner or later. That is part of the reason to clean them and either put them in another room or in a cupboard.
Did anyone else watch that mythbusters episode of the toothbrush stored in the bathroom experiment?
Don’t use sponges. And from brushes only powder brush that I use rarely to get the grease look off my face when wanting to look more normal. Look, never had issues with “bacteria”. We are friends.
Brushes are stored in my dresser drawer and washed and dried often.
Fungal acne is not bacterial, I think there was a bit too much cutting down from the original report! Most of these aren’t likely to be an issue for most people but it’s obviously a good idea to reduce exposure where you can. I’m not a big brush user but I think it might be time for a big clean.
I must admit that I dont have a set routine for cleaning my makeup brushes but I do have two sets and tend to sideline one set until i get the urge to clean them and then I tend to do them all in one hit.
Oh God… off to clean my sponge.
Don’t use make up brushes that often.
Ewwww! I’m going to wash my makeup brushes now even though I haven’t used them in awhile
I always cleanse brushes after use
I’m fortunate that my daughter gives my brushes a regular clean, she’s grossed out at the fact that I don’t bother. My brushes stay out of my bathroom. Makeup sponges are a breeding ground for all sorts of stuff. I’m never convinced they get a thorough clean and prefer to use my fingers.
Very Yucky indeed Thanks BH for the Warning I always clean my brushes using a small amount of antibacterial soap wash. To help keep the germs at bay.
I wash my sponge after about 2 uses, but I admit I don’t wash my brushes as often.
I never knew this information so thankyou and from now on I will wash them more often.
I wash my brushes after each use. I never use them twice for this reason.
I wash my brushes after each use. If I’m in a rush, which is often, I leave them on the handbasin so I can’t help but notice them when I get home.
Yes, I did & it grossed me out! I’m lucky that I’ve got a separate toilet – there’s no way I’d keep my toothbrush in there!
yuck thats gross… I clean my brushes all the time and store them in other places away from the nasty bathroom things
I am eating my dinner as I read this… yucks!
I’ve just started using a foundation brush and thankfully I’ve been cleaning it after every use.
That’s interesting , wouldn’t expect Ecoli living in the brushes.
Omg. I always clean beauty blenders after each use but I only clean my makeup brushes once a fortnight!
Yep this definitely grosses me out. This a reminder to clean my brushes again (I spray them in between washes).
A good reason not to use one, just use your fingers
Glad I don’t use these
Oh yuck! I’m throwing out my sponge when I get home and giving my brushes a good wash
Oh well this inspires me to clean all my sponges/brushes and get them out in the sun!
That’s why it is important to clean them
Yuck!!! I clean my brushes regularly and dont store them in the bathroom.
Cleaning my brush (which I don’t clean often enough :-() right now!
Thanks for the info
So disgusting. Thankfully I clean my brushes regularly and I have never at any point stored them in the bathroom. I don’t store anything makeup related in the bathroom. I don’t even store my moisturiser in the bathroom.
WOW!!! This is crazy!!!
I don’t wash them often.Only wash them after using them 2 to 3 times.This makes me to wash more often.
I try to cleanse my brushes once a week but may try twice a week
Eew. runs to grab brushes and clean them
I haven’t tried a sponge yet but would like to
I’d be interested to see an article on how effective the spray brush cleaners are. i have the E.L.F daily brush cleaner spray, but I do sometime wonder how effective it is.
Good reminder to wash makeup brushes..
Grose I better put the cleaning schedule in my diary
Definitely a reminder for me to always clean my sponges! I currently wash them at least once a week with detergent and oil. So far, it does the work by removing majority of foundation.
If anyone has other ways to clean them, feel free to reply!
Me too!!!
Gross.
After thorough research, I noticed they invented a product just for the occasion. You can clean your brushes with ease.
COVID has had us cleaning everything. Need to add the brushes and sponges to the mix
Thankfully, I store my blending sponges with my makeup collection and it isn’t in the bathroom. I wash my sponges regularly.