Is It Safe to Wear Your Friend's Makeup [DermTV.com Epi #122]
It happens to every woman at some timeโ€”caught without your makeup. And the make or break question is, can you use your girlfriend's makeup? And I'm happy to tell you that the answer is, yes, as long as she'll let you. I will assure you that there is very little chance of getting any germs or catching an infection or any other dreaded disease from using your girlfriend's makeup unless, of course, she has an obvious infection on her face. So, why is it that makeup is an unlikely way to spread infections? Very simply, on that long list of ingredients, on the back of your makeup, down towards the bottom, there are several, completely unpronounceable words which represent ingredients that are called preservatives, and preservatives are put there to kill bacteria. You see, the manufacturer of the makeup, doesn't want that makeup to be a reservoir of infection for the person who buys it and has intended to use it and, for the same reason, it's not going to be a reservoir of infection for you. So, the next time you have a makeup emergency, if you use your girlfriend's makeup, let me assure you that it's an unlikely place, just like your makeup, where you're going to meet a new germ or an old germ.