How to Properly Sanitize Your Lipsticks, Powders to Avoid Germ Buildup

These days, washing your hands and disinfecting your household items have been a major priority to avoid getting infected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19.) According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you can get the virus by touching an infected surface and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. The Medical City has also reported that the COVID-19 can live on a surface for up to nine hours. But if you've ever wondered if it can be transmitted through makeup, experts say there is no strong evidence that the virus can live on these formulas (the best thing you can do is to disinfect the packaging of the products.) Months-old makeup, however, is still a breeding ground of germs, and if left unsanitized, it can sometimes cause breakouts and infections (think: pink eye.) 

So while you're currently stuck at home, why not disinfect your go-to makeup items? Here's a guide on how you can properly sanitize your makeup: 

1. Lipstick 

Remember that each time you reapply your lipstick, you inevitably transfer germs, dirt, and oil to the product. To sanitize your go-to lippie, grab a shot glass (a small bowl will work, too!) and fill it up with isopropyl alcohol. Dip the bullet for about three seconds, and wipe away the top layer of the lipstick using a facial tissue. P.S. Don't use a cotton swab since its fibers tend to unwantedly stick to the product. 

IMAGE Courtesy of Patricia Melliza

2. Pressed powder and palette; pencil eyeliner

Powder formulas don't breed as much bacteria compared to cream products. To disinfect it, reach for an alcohol spray and lightly spritz it on the product. Allow it to air-dry!

3. Cream foundation, blush, and highlighter

Germs thrive in wet environments like cream formulas. The best way you can keep them clean, especially if they're housed in a pot, is to always apply it with clean hands and use it frequently since it doesn't have a long shelf life. Otherwise, makeup artists also swear by using a tiny spatula to get the cream product. You can get one here.

For cream sticks, however, you can easily sanitize it by wiping the surface with a wet facial wipe. 

4. Makeup sponges 

The easiest way to clean a makeup sponge is to directly pour liquid hand soap onto the sponge, and then squeeze the makeup tool under running water. 

Another option is to dip a dirty makeup sponge into a small bowl that contains olive oil (a.k.a. an effective eye makeup remover!) 

Then, pour some hot water and liquid soap into a separate bowl, and place the makeup sponge into this solution. Leave it there until the water cools down. Finally, rinse the soaked sponge with clean water, and your beauty tool will look as good as brand new. 

Watch makeup artist Megan Edwards demonstrate the cleaning process below: 

P.S. Makeup sponges are meant to be disposable. As you leave it damp every after use, it becomes a breeding ground for germs. In fact, researchers claim that it's the dirtiest item in a makeup kit. Be sure to replace it every three months!