Are you hanging on to makeup far too long?
Hi, I am Dr Vassell of the aesthetics group Watford and today I am talking about makeup and
it's associated paraphernalia. I think the best way to start this, is for you to ask yourself, how old
is your favourite foundation? Days, weeks or even years? How old is the brush you apply your
makeup with, when did you last clean it? Or even who cares, why is this even important?
Bacteria is naturally present all around us, and even within us, and as a consequence some use
and coined the phrase “good bacteria” which I despise, simply because there is no such thing
as good bacteria. We have just learned to live with each other. Simply put, we have adapted a
“mi casa su casa” approach to these indigenous cohabitees of the World. Evidence may even
state that at the very core of each our cells, the powerhouse organelle, known as the
mitochondria, may have come from bacteria or indeed itself been an organism thriving on its
own.
So, we do owe a lot to bacteria as they help us to digest our food and they play a vital turf war
amongst each other. Ensuring no one ever gets out of line, when a “colony” begins to win this
turf war, your body lets you know about. It can be as simple as getting some diarrhoea to as
deadly and life threatening as septicaemia “bacteria in the blood”.
Scare mongering out of the way, why is this directly important to you? How is my blusher going
to cause me problems? When I meet clients with skin concerns, I ask amongst many other
things, that they bring in their cosmetics and tell me about their skincare routine.
The reasons are plentiful but keeping it in context with this article;
I often find clients are unaware of the sell/use by date
Often they are unaware of how long they should use makeup for once opened
Unaware of the risks they are exposing themselves to
At random, common makeup
essentials were tested in lab.
N. meningitidis or commonly
known as the meningitis
bacteria, was found In nearly
all tested products, that were
equal or greater than a year
old.
Our skin is the biggest organ we have and is our natural barrier. If this barrier is compromised
and we have brake in the skin for whatever reason be it trauma, acne or even large pores, we
provide the gateway for the attack! This can cause a number of problems such as;
Initiate skin outbreaks
Further exacerbate ACNE
Abscess formation
Cellulitis (inflammation of superficial skin)
Fire off inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Conjunctivitis (eye infection) below image
Often, this simple action of education and refinement of
practise, I notice my clients get
Fewer breakouts
Significant and quicker improvements in skin quality
Improvements in stubborn/ hard to treat acne.
So how long should you keep your cosmetic products ?
Well evidence says roughly as follows;
Mascara 46 months
Eyeshadow/Blusher 12 months
Eyebrow pencil 12 months
Lipstick 12 Months
Eyeliner 10 months
As a golden rule, ask yourself is there any cosmetic products you own that are more than a year
old. If so, do your skin a favour and bin it, yesterday! The skeptics among you may say, what is
in it for you? Is this not another spin for the cosmetic industry to make money? My answer is
simple, life in my opinion is about probabilities. You may never have had an issue with your
favourite three year old foundation. Everyday the bacterial burden increases as the colony in
your makeup increases, increasing the chances and severity of infection. Is it really worth the
risk?
Ask more of your makeup, past enhancing your skin or complexion
Is it mineral based?
Sun Protection (I harp on, but sun ages you)
Evidence of effectiveness
To wrap up, I think also not only about the products, but also about the equipment you use with
the products. Make up brushes harbour dead skin cells (a buffet for bacteria), and the perfect
breeding ground. Clean your brushes and paraphernalia weekly and dispose of them preferably
after 6 months but most definitely before a year.
Healthy, smooth, youthful, flawless skin is achievable but requires commitment, are you
committed?
Dr Wayne Vassell
the aesthetics group
Lead Clinician & Managing Director How to get rid of eye bags?