Bacteria in powdery highlighters

[Simply Elegant]

I like to use a damp brush for applying my highlighter and I was wondering if this was okay to do. I don't want my face to break out from the dampness of the brush going back into the highlighter and I was wondering if it would cause lots of bacteria to grow.

 

[lara]

Unless you're really soaking the powder product, any moisture will evaporate quickly and negate the growth of bacteria. Generally the rule of thumb is that powder/dry products are inert (meaning not an environment that promotes bacterial harbouring), whereas creams and liquids are a bacteria-friendly place. The only exception to this are the various bacterial eye infections, where you should avoid handling any make-up during the visible time of infection and a week afterwards.

Good on you for thinking about sanitation, though!

 

[gummybug]

I've heard of mold growing in pigments from wet brushes, but I don't know what it would take to get to that point.

 

[lara]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gummybug I've heard of mold growing in pigments from wet brushes, but I don't know what it would take to get to that point.

The addition of a generous amount of oil, skin flakes, unrefined glycerin... generally lots of organic funky stuff that shouldn't be there.

 

[Ella_]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lara The addition of a generous amount of oil, skin flakes, unrefined glycerin... generally lots of organic funky stuff that shouldn't be there.

Yep. Which is why I always scoop out a little bit of pigment with a sterile spatual when I want to use them.

I never used to but once in grade 12 science my teacher confiscated a cheap loose eyeshadow I had in my pencil case. Not because I wasnt allowed it, but to show me the gross stuff that was in there.

You should have seen the bacterial and spore culture after incubating for 24hrs it was revolting.

 

[madricka]

Cosmetics companies add a LOT of antimicrobial agents to their products to inhibit the growth of pathogens. Unless you're adding a ton of harmful bacteria into the product (like adding saliva to it), I wouldn't worry about it.