Originally published December 14 2005
Cosmetics put under the microscope in investigative report
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Houston's Eyewitness News investigates the bacteria found in cosmetic products, including department store makeup testers, and the results were that surprisingly few products hosted bacteria, mainly because of the powerful preservatives added to the makeups, which themselves can provoke allergic reactions.
Probably between 15 and 20 years old, I bet," admitted test volunteer Michelle Dawkins.
We pick through, looking for the oldest makeup of our four good sports.
Volunteer Xandra Green found lipstick that's at least seven years old.
Dawkins says she's used her pencils down to the nub.
For example, do you know how old your mascara is or what it's growing?
We sent all of it -- the ladies makeup and the store testers -- to the lab.
"The powder actually did grow the most of the staph," said Karen Wagner with Xpress Clinical Lab.
A bacteria called staph coag negative was growing in most of their makeup.
The blush, lipsticks, powders, sponges, mascara and that 15-year-old eye shadow were the same -- no bad bacteria.
Even more surprising were the concealer and makeup pencil.
"I'm totally surprised," said Dermatologist Dr Esta Kronberg.
"I'm pleasantly surprised because I would have expected makeup to have bacteria in it that would be invasive to the body."
And that department store makeup we tested?
Those blushes and lipsticks and foundation and mascara had no bad bacteria either!
"Because of preservatives that are put in the makeup," said Wagner.
Makeup can be packed with five or six preservatives.
And clearly, they keep bacteria at bay.
"A lot of patients come in with a rash on their face and they assume it's an infection from their makeup," said Dr. Kronberg.
And it's often an allergy rash to a preservative.
So you have to switch products, but you don't spread bacteria on your face.
And thus our story has a happy ending.
"Now you can save your makeup and not throw it away after six months," said Dr. Kronberg.
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