Brilio.net - When buying makeup at a cosmetics shop, most of us will try the tester products provided. The reason is, every woman who buys makeup wants to find the right color and texture of makeup. Such as lipstick, foundation, eye shadow, and so on according to skin tone.
Not without reason, if you choose the wrong color, it can result in inaccurate makeup results. It's not surprising that many people, when buying makeup, try a tester first. But unfortunately, without realizing it, the habit of trying tester products at drugstores turns out to have a bad impact on health. You can even be infected with dangerous viruses.
This was experienced by a woman from Malaysia , named Lalah Fatihah Ramli. On the TikTok page @kakakteha shared the bitter experience of being infected with the herpes virus after trying cosmetic products at a drugstore. From the content creator's experience, it should be a lesson not to carelessly try cosmetic products or tools available in shops.
Not only can you get infected with herpes, there are also other bad effects if you often try cosmetic tester products at drugstores. So what are the dangers or impacts? Come on, see the complete review below! Brilio.net summarized from various sources, Friday (19/7).
Bad effects of using a makeup tester at a cosmetics drugstore.
photo: freepik.com
1. Risk of bacterial contamination.
One problem that cannot be avoided when frequently using tester products at drugstores is the risk of bacterial contamination. Cosmetic tester products are often touched and used by many people. This creates an ideal environment for the growth and spread of bacteria.
Bacteria collected in tester products can cause various health problems, especially if applied to sensitive areas such as the eyes or lips. Bacterial infections can result in irritation, inflammation, or even more serious infections.
According to research conducted by Dadashi and Dehghan Zadeh (2016) in the Journal of Health Sciences and Surveillance Systems, it was found that 67.7% of cosmetic tester samples examined were contaminated by various types of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
2. Potential for transmission of infectious diseases.
Use of the same tester product by many people increases the risk of transmitting infectious diseases. A study published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology by Farrugia et al. (2015) showed that the herpes simplex virus can survive on the surface of lipstick and other makeup items for several hours, thereby increasing the risk of transmission.
Viruses such as herpes simplex (which causes cold sores) or conjunctivitis (pink eye) can easily be transmitted through sharing products such as lipstick or mascara. In more serious cases, there is even a risk of transmission of hepatitis or staphylococcal infection. Therefore, you have to be very careful when using tester products at drugstores.
3. Trigger allergic reactions.
It is not uncommon for people to try cosmetic products at drugstores to experience certain allergic reactions. Everyone has different skin sensitivities. Trying a tester product without knowing its complete composition or history of previous use can trigger an allergic reaction.
Allergy symptoms can range from a mild rash to severe swelling or difficulty breathing in extreme cases. Adapting research by Kirchhof and de Gannes (2013) in the Dermatitis Journal, it was revealed that ingredients in cosmetics, especially preservatives and fragrances, can cause allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive users.
4. Skin irritation.
The tester product may have been contaminated with ingredients that can cause skin irritation. In addition, repeated use by many people may change the consistency or pH of the product, which may result in irritation of sensitive skin. Irritation can cause redness, itching, or even peeling of the skin.
5. Eye infections.
Trying eye makeup products such as mascara or eyeliner from a tester at a drugstore is very risky. The eye area is very susceptible to infection. So, if you use eye makeup tester products, it can cause infections such as conjunctivitis or even more serious corneal infections, which can even threaten your eyesight.
6. Inflammation of hair follicles.
For products such as blush on or foundation, using a tester can cause inflammation of the hair follicles (folliculitis). This can happen when bacteria enter the hair follicles. This results in swelling, redness, and sometimes pustules.
7. Aggravates existing skin conditions.
For those of you who have skin conditions such as acne, eczema, or psoriasis. When using makeup tester products at drugstores, it turns out that this condition can worsen. Why not, bacterial contaminants or dirt in products can trigger flare-ups or worsen existing symptoms. Therefore, it is not recommended to try makeup tester products or makeup tools at drugstores.
Furthermore, examining these risks, it is highly recommended to avoid using cosmetic tester products directly on the skin, especially in sensitive areas such as the eyes or lips. If you want to try the product, it is better to ask for an unopened sample or use a more hygienic testing method provided by the store, such as a disposable applicator.
Tips for safely using cosmetic tester products at drugstores.
photo: freepik.com
1. Use disposable applicators.
2. Avoid sensitive areas of the eyes, lips or mucous membranes. The risk of infection in these areas is very high.
3. If you want to see color or texture, apply the product to the back of your hand, not your face or other more sensitive areas.
4. Before and after using makeup tester products, you must clean them with hand sanitizer.
5. Avoid using a tester that looks dirty, dry, or has changed color/texture.