Cosmetic and makeup products have become an integral part of daily routines. They help you enhance your natural beauty while expressing individuality. However, some cosmetics and makeup products may contain unsafe chemicals for your body. You are also responsible for applying and storing these items carefully. With 45% of people concerned about the potential toxins in unregulated makeup products, there’s no wonder there’s been a rise in ethical skincare. Below are three ways to prevent cosmetic and makeup products from damaging your skin.
1. Practice Good Hygiene and Product Maintenance
Maintaining proper hygiene is paramount in your daily routine, including cosmetic and makeup usage. The more hygienic you are, the higher the chances of preventing bacterial or fungal infections in your products. First, commit to regularly cleaning your makeup tools to prevent them from serving as breeding grounds for harmful microorganisms. Your makeup brushes, sponges, and other applicators must be thoroughly cleaned and dried.
It’s usually ideal to let them air dry before reuse because using a handheld dryer could
cause heat damage to your makeup applicators. It’s worth noting that cosmetics also have expiry dates. Ignoring this simple rule could lead to skin irritations and infections. However, if your cosmetics have no expiry date, discarding them after 12 – 18 months may be safe. It’s best to do away with mascaras 3 – 6 months after first opening. Another vital point is to avoid sharing your eye makeup and applicators to prevent cross-contamination.
2. Educate Yourself on The Main Cosmetic Ingredients
The more you know about cosmetics’ ingredients, the better informed you will be about what’s good for your skin, protecting yourself from potential cosmetic dangers. There has been an influx of unregulated cosmetics in the country, giving rise to the UK government being more stringent. As this goes on, you could still come in contact with such products, making it vital to educate yourself on the ingredients commonly found in cosmetics.
Some of these include products like eyelash extension glues. That is why your best bet is to rely on professional eyelash glue rather than those that claim to be better adhesives but are not. While regulatory bodies enforce strict guidelines for product safety, you have an even bigger responsibility to be aware of potential allergens or irritants. Failure to do this could cause adverse reactions on your skin or other vital organs.
Therefore, familiarise yourself with key ingredients like fragrances, preservatives, and common allergens like nickel, latex, and certain dyes. When you know what to look for, you can make informed choices when buying cosmetics and reduce the risk of allergic reactions or other adverse effects.
3. Follow Product Instructions
Every product you apply to your body comes with a set of instructions. Failure to follow each rule to the letter could result in unpleasant consequences. The product manufacturer puts these instructions there as guidance to enhance user safety. Some of these directions include conducting a patch test with a new product you purchased. If you fail to conduct a patch test as instructed, you cannot hold the manufacturer responsible for any adverse reactions.
Even worse, you cannot sue them for compensation and must endure any adverse reaction. Proper storage of your cosmetics is also vital to prevent contamination. Some products like eye cream, sheet masks, and Vitamin C serum may require refrigeration. If you are unsure, check the product labelling for further information.