Since Macklemore sang about the Thrift Shop, people really embraced thrift. Buying used things can conjure up a feeling of euphoria. You get to spend a portion of the retail price for an item you deem valuable. in the new era of sustainable fashion, you can find unique pieces, which may be a little worn, but stand out. The adventure of the hunt plays into the adventure. But are second hand cosmetics safe to use?
While the idea of selling your old makeup may sound like a great way to earn some extra cash, it’s not the safest of practices — at least for buyers. Still, popular websites like Mercari, have their own section of second hand makeup gives these purchases a sense of legitimacy and security, even though in reality, they could give you an eye infection.
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While some sites like eBay don’t sell used makeup products because of the health risks they pose, Glambot claims to check and clean all of their used products thoroughly, having each go through a five-step authentication and sanitation process. This is just a long way of saying that they wiped the products clean with some cotton swabs.
“Used cosmetics present some serious health and safety concerns because the products and applicators used to apply them often come into direct contact with the body,” explains eBay‘s makeup policy.
Dermatologists who had different opinions on the matter, yet most agreed users should be wary of all second hand make up, especially those products focusing on areas near the mouth and the eyes.
“Used makeup can contain fungus or bacteria can cause infections. This is especially an issue for makeup which comes in direct contact with the skin like applicators touching the skin, or anything you dip your finger into (like an open jar),” explains Jordana Mattioli, celebrity esthetician.
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Most experts also took the time to explain makeup is generally applied in bathrooms, making it easier for these products to catch bacteria or viruses, which can survive and live in the product for long periods of time. While you might get lucky when you use a sample lipstick from a Sephora store, it’s much more likely to catch a virus or a staph infection from someone’s beloved (and well-worn) make up.
In short: don’t do it. A used mascara tube is not the same thing as a used jacket.
