Makeup artist warns about surprising place mold can be hiding in your beauty drawer – it may be why you’re breaking out
A MAKEUP artist has spilled the dirty details of what could be hiding in your cosmetics drawer.
She said the sometimes unsanitary makeup tool could harbor mold and cause acne breakouts.
Saffron Hughes, a professional makeup artist at Falseeyelashes.co.uk weighed in on the importance of hygiene in cosmetics.
"You'll be surprised to hear that mold growth in Beauty Blenders and other makeup sponges is quite common," she said.
Saffron attributed the mold issue to several contributing factors.
"Firstly, the porous structure of Beauty Blenders and makeup sponges allows them to absorb dirt, oils, and leftover makeup residue, creating an environment where mold is likely to grow if the Beauty Blender isn't regularly or adequately cleaned," she said.
"The porous material also makes Beauty Blenders more susceptible to moisture and humidity.
"So if it's stored in a poorly ventilated room — such as the bathroom — this can also encourage mold to grow," she added.
She also detailed some of the ailments that can come with the territory of using a moldy makeup sponge.
"When mold combines with dirt and grime, it clogs pores, which can bring on an array of other skin problems, including breakouts, skin irritations, redness and more," she warned.
"It's, therefore, important to keep makeup tools clean and mold-free to avoid these skin-related risks," she added.
Saffron also detailed warning signs to look out for, without necessarily cutting open the sponge, as one viral video pointed out.
In the video, TikToker Kaitlyn (@mycorneroftheuniverse) filmed herself taking a scissors to the sponge to reveal moldy spots on the inside of it before tossing it in the garbage.
"You can spot mold growth on a Beauty Blender by looking for black spots or specks on the sponge's surface," she said.
"Sometimes, there's also this musty or weird smell that comes along with mold," she said.
"If you see small or large dark spots or catch an odd whiff, chances are it's mold, and it's a good idea to toss the blender to avoid spreading any nasty germs and bacteria onto your skin," she added.
She recommended practicing good hygiene with makeup sponges, including: washing it after use, allowing it to fully dry, storing it in a dark and cool spot, and replacing it once every three months.
