A Microbiologist Just Confirmed The Gross Types Of Bacteria Living On Our Makeup Brushes

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 bacterias, are 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.

Image credit: Daily Mail

Within these findings were bacteria responsible for skin conditions as severe fungal acne, which appears in the form of itchy, inflamed blemishes.

Comparing the beauty products 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 COVID-style 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.

Main image credit: Getty

How often do you clean your brushes?

50 Member Comments

Petal 5 Apr 2021 5:05 AM

Thankfully, I store my blending sponges with my makeup collection and it isn't in the bathroom. I wash my sponges regularly.

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Berylr 1 Feb 2021 4:27 PM

COVID has had us cleaning everything. Need to add the brushes and sponges to the mix

BeautySwan88 24 Jan 2021 3:36 AM

After thorough research, I noticed they invented a product just for the occasion. You can clean your brushes with ease.

perthchick 21 Jan 2021 2:40 PM

Gross.

Mayy 2 Jan 2021 11:15 AM

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!

mad 15 Dec 2020 1:14 AM

Grose I better put the cleaning schedule in my diary

moo3333 10 Jan 2021 4:50 PM

Me too!!!

rach_ 25 Nov 2020 11:08 PM

Good reminder to wash makeup brushes..

Jacinta89 20 Nov 2020 9:37 PM

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.

Shop A Everyday 14 Nov 2020 2:08 PM

I haven't tried a sponge yet but would like to

Sally10 13 Nov 2020 5:22 PM

Eew. runs to grab brushes and clean them

Jodes71 13 Nov 2020 1:15 AM

I try to cleanse my brushes once a week but may try twice a week

sootyblack_14 11 Nov 2020 11:41 AM

WOW!!! This is crazy!!!

Angage 11 Nov 2020 11:40 AM

I don't wash them often.Only wash them after using them 2 to 3 times.This makes me to wash more often.

Makeup Maven 11 Nov 2020 8:40 AM

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.