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22 November 2004
Makeup Counters Home-Sweet-Home For Bacteria 
The free makeovers that attract women to makeup counters all over the U.S. may leave them with a colony of bacteria swarming over their faces. Dr. Elizabeth Brooks, from Rowan University, has been testing makeup samples from 20 makeup companies and found that makeup samples taken at different periods showed between 67 and 100 percent gross bacterial contamination. That means between 67 and 100 percent of the products showed at least some level of contamination, though the levels may have varied from product to product. Over the last two years, Brooks and co-researchers have conducted up to four sampling "runs" at makeup counters on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. During those runs, they used sterile swabs to take samples of products, including skin, eye and lip makeup, that were used by women to try on "open" makeup samples before purchasing packaged products. The team used the swabs to transfer the makeup to a container of agar, a substance on which cultures can grow. Brooks said generally what the team uncovered was staph aurus. This bacteria can be found on human skin and generally is not a health concern but it can become problematic if it is introduced to the eyes, nose or mucous membranes. "It certainly is not hygienic even if it is not a huge health concern," she said. "If it got into eyes, someone could get bacterial conjunctivitis. It's certainly not a risk we should be taking for makeup." Brooks acknowledges that women probably will not stop testing makeup at counters. However, she had some suggestions as to how they can minimize contamination to their faces from the samples: - Try on makeup when you know there will be less traffic at the counter - generally weekdays. Because the makeup does not supply nutrients for the bacteria to grow, the bacteria don't replicate. That means, even though there may be 100 percent contamination on a Sunday after heavy makeup use on a Saturday evening, those bacteria will start to die off as the week progresses.
- Wash your face immediately with soap and water after trying on makeup.
- Don't try on any lipstick or eye makeup.
- Consider trying on makeup at counters where the companies require salespeople to dip samples in alcohol and dry them out before offering them to customers.
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