Bacteria were found in 79.57% of 93 used mascaras

Of 467 used cosmetic products, 93 were mascaras. Bacteria were found in 79.57% of mascaras, staphylococci and micrococci in 59.14%, fungi in 17.20%, and enterobacteria in 7.53%. E. coli was identified in sponges and lipstick, while other species were isolated from mascara, including Staphylococcus saprophyticus. No link between length of use and level of contamination was found for any type of product.

In 30 used mascaras within their expiration date, Bacillus (60%) and skin staphylococci (73.3%) were found. Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli and fungi were not found in any of the 71 eye makeup samples. The authors note this does not mean they never occur.

In 40 samples of students' mascara, Staphylococcus aureus was found in 79% of samples and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 13%. 43 of 44 students use or have used makeup past its expiration date and named mascara most often. The study is small, one group in one city, with no comparison to fresh mascara, so we cite it only as an example.

40 women ages 18 to 39 wore mascara every day for three months, and 33 finished. Microbes grew in cultures from 36.4% of tubes and were not found in 63.6%. Most were Staphylococcus epidermidis, streptococci and fungi. Microbe counts weren't measured, other time points weren't tested, and participants' eyes weren't followed. The authors advise not keeping a tube longer than three months with daily use.

A 47-year-old woman scratched her eye with a mascara wand. Three days later her vision dropped sharply and a corneal abscess formed. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found both in her cornea and in her mascara, a dense scar remained, and her vision did not recover. At that time only nine such cases had been described in the literature. The report also says new mascara is rarely contaminated with bacteria but can become contaminated with use.

Seven corneal ulcers caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa are described in women whose mascara was contaminated with the same bacterium. In every case there was both contaminated mascara and an injury to the cornea. The study is from 1977, when mascara formulas were different, and seven cases say nothing about how often this happens.

Manufacturers usually advise throwing out mascara two to four months after purchase, and this is the FDA passing on what manufacturers say, not the agency's own recommendation. Eye makeup is usually safe when bought, but if used the wrong way, harmful bacteria and fungi can grow in it, and in rare cases women have lost their sight temporarily or permanently. Don't add water or saliva to dried mascara, don't share eye makeup, use only a disposable applicator with testers, don't apply makeup in a moving vehicle, and if you have an eye infection, stop using eye makeup and throw out what you were using.

The Academy advises throwing out eye makeup after three months because bacteria grow easily in creamy and liquid makeup. The page doesn't name the study the limit comes from. It also says not to share eye makeup even with people close to you, to remove makeup before bed, especially mascara, and to throw out all eye makeup if you have an infection. It's safest not to use store testers at all.