School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
J Appl Microbiol. 2020 Feb;128(2):598-605. doi: 10.1111/jam.14479. Epub 2019 Oct 28.
To investigate the nature and extent of microbial contamination in five categories of used cosmetic products (lipstick, lip gloss, eyeliners, mascaras and beauty blenders) and highlight the potential risk posed to consumers in the UK.
Used products were donated and microbial contents were determined by microbial culture and identification. About 79-90% of all used products were contaminated with bacteria, with bacterial loads ranging between 10 and 10 CFU per ml, beauty blenders contained an average load of >10 CFU per ml. Presence of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Citrobacter freundii was detected. Enterobacteriaceae and fungi were detected in all product types, and were prevalent in beauty blenders (26·58 and 56·96% respectively). Ninety-three per cent of beauty blenders had not been cleaned and 64% had been dropped on the floor and continued to be used.
Significant levels of microbial contamination occur during use of cosmetic products and presence of pathogenic organisms pose a potential risk to health.
The nature and high level of contamination in used cosmetic products indicate that greater user awareness and education are required. Manufacturers should ensure that product expiry dates are prominently displayed and consumers can identify the symbols used on product packaging.
调查五类已使用化妆品（口红、唇彩、眼线笔、睫毛膏和美妆蛋）中微生物污染的性质和程度，并强调英国消费者所面临的潜在风险。
捐赠已使用的产品，并通过微生物培养和鉴定来确定微生物含量。大约 79-90%的所有已使用产品都受到细菌污染，细菌负荷量在每毫升 10 到 10 个 CFU 之间，美妆蛋的平均负荷量>10 个 CFU/ml。检测到金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠杆菌和弗氏柠檬酸杆菌的存在。所有产品类型都检测到肠杆菌科和真菌，且在美妆蛋中更为普遍（分别为 26.58%和 56.96%）。93%的美妆蛋未清洗，64%的美妆蛋曾掉在地上但仍在继续使用。
化妆品使用过程中会发生显著水平的微生物污染，而存在的病原微生物对健康构成潜在风险。
已使用化妆品的性质和高度污染表明，需要提高用户的意识和教育水平。制造商应确保产品的有效期显著显示，消费者可以识别产品包装上使用的符号。
