In today’s world, hygienic habits cannot be overlooked. Yet, for many, the thought of sanitizing certain items like makeup may not cross their minds, especially if they are the only ones using them. But interestingly enough, sanitizing your makeup, and specifically your lipstick, can be very important in certain scenarios. Join us on our journey to explore why it is important to sanitize your lipsticks and how it can be done without ruining your favorite stash.
Table of Contents
- How to Sanitize Lipsticks
- Sanitizing Lipstick After Being Sick
- How Do You Sanitize Tube Lipstick?
- Can You Sanitize Lip Gloss?
- How to Sanitize Liquid Lipstick
- What To Use to Sanitize Lipstick
- How to Sanitize Lipsticks: Imperative in Todays’ Modern World
- FAQs
How to Sanitize Lipsticks
Sanitizing lipsticks, as surprising as it may seem, may come in handy in a variety of scenarios.
Because there are a variety of germs that lurk on makeup (including herpes) sanitizing lipsticks becomes a necessary chore that can keep you and your loved ones safe. Even the dreaded coronavirus can be found lingering on certain makeup types. Some buyers even claim to have picked up STIs from makeup testing in stores!
Whether you are sick, sharing with a friend, wishing to donate your lipstick or if a lipstick simply didn’t meet your expectations, sanitizing your makeup, and even cleaning makeup brushes that can contribute to acne, can save your skin and health.
But, how should you go about it?
In most scenarios, you’ll only need to grab a few things:
- 70% Isopropyl Alcohol or Plain Vodka
- A Spray Bottle
- A Small Container
- Cotton Rounds or Squares
Steps For Sanitizing Lipsticks
- Round up your supplies.
- Expose the top of your lipstick.
- Spritz the exposed portions of your lipstick or lipstick applicators with the alcohol.
- Let sit until dry.
Note: For lipstick applicators and brushes, bear in mind that this method will only work if the brush has first been washed. So, go ahead and gently cleanse your lipstick applicators and brushes in warm sudsy water or makeup cleaner before sanitizing them using this method.
Sanitizing Lipstick After Being Sick
How do you disinfect lipstick after being sick
Did you know your lipstick could make you sick? Indeed, if you aren’t properly sanitizing your lipstick, your favorite lippie could certainly have your health in a downward spiral.
Moreover, if you are already sick, those icky germs that were lingering on your lipstick are likely still going to be there once you’ve fully recovered. To prevent further illness, consider throwing out your lip gloss, liquid lipstick or other lipstick types, or if you are able, follow the steps above to disinfect traditional tube lipstick after falling ill.
How to Disinfect Lipstick After Cold Sore
If you have a cold sore, it will be important that you disinfect your lipstick right away. Do not use your lipstick while your cold sore is active. Once your cold sore has healed, you’ll either need to throw out the lipstick you were using, or if you are able, disinfect the lipstick using the methods described above.
How Do You Sanitize Tube Lipstick?
- Round up the supplies mentioned above.
- Open the tube lipstick (in this case we are talking about your traditional tube of lipstick that you would twist) and twist the lipstick until the tip is exposed.
- Use your cotton round to remove the first layer of lipstick (the layer that has already touched your lips).
- Then twist the lipstick all the way up, so that the entire product is exposed.
- Take your prepared spray bottle of alcohol or vodka and spritz the entire product. Let sit upright to dry.
Note: Alternatively, you may wish to nix the spray bottle and instead submerge your lipstick in a bowl of the alcohol for 30 seconds before removing it and allowing it to air dry.
Either method works!
Can You Sanitize Lip Gloss?
At this point, we’ve discussed the process for disinfecting your beloved traditional twist tube lipstick, but what about your lip gloss? Can that be disinfected as well?
Sadly, there is no actual way to disinfect lip gloss once the gloss within the tube has been contaminated. If you are worried about contamination, have become sick, or plan to pass your lip gloss on to someone else, you may wish to use disposable doe foot applicators from the beginning.
After lip gloss has become contaminated, there is no good way to restore it back to health.
How to sanitize the exterior of lip gloss tubes
Instead of sanitizing the actual lip gloss within the tube, try sanitizing the outside of the tube instead. This, of course, won’t rid the product itself of germs, but at least you can know that the exterior is germ free.
- Simply wipe down the exterior of your lip gloss with a damp cloth and allow it to dry.
- Once dry, spritz some rubbing alcohol or vodka, as described above, onto the exterior of your lip gloss tube.
- Sit your lip gloss upright and allow it to air dry.
How to Sanitize Liquid Lipstick
Similar to lip gloss, these types of lipsticks simply cannot be sanitized. Consider purchasing disposable doe-foot applicators from the beginning or follow the above steps to sanitize the exterior of your liquid lipstick tube. Never allow water or alcohol to enter your tube of liquid lipstick. This may ruin your liquid lipstick!
What To Use to Sanitize Lipstick
Can Lipstick Be Sanitized With Isopropyl Alcohol?
Yes! But make sure that the alcohol is 70% isopropyl alcohol as this has been shown to be the most effective for disinfecting notoriously dirty makeup, like lipsticks. Some also use plain vodka to disinfect traditional tube lipsticks.
Does Freezing Lipstick Kill Bacteria?
Does freezing lipstick kill germs?
Surprisingly, yes! Freezing lipstick can also kill germs, but be careful. This does NOT apply to liquid and lip gloss lipsticks. Freezing lipsticks of this sort may only ruin the product.
Try the freezing method when you’re in a pinch and don’t feel like dealing with all of the supplies for standard disinfection. Simply toss your traditional tube lipstick in the freezer overnight. Remove and allow the lipstick to return to room temperature. It’s that easy!
How to Sanitize Lipsticks: Imperative in Todays’ Modern World
Learning to disinfect everyday items, including makeup, in today’s uncertain world is certainly a skill worth taking on. By obtaining just a few supplies, you can quickly and easily sanitize traditional tube lipsticks and lip brushes to keep them free from unwanted germs and disease.
Related posts on our blog:
- Non Toxic Drugstore Foundation
- Is it safe to put Aquaphor on your lips
- What is Lipstick Is Made Of
- Lipstick Ingredients to Avoid
- Best Lip Moisturizers
- Is Hand Sanitizer Toxic if Ingested
FAQs
Can lipstick be sanitized with isopropyl alcohol?
Yes! But make sure that the alcohol is 70% isopropyl alcohol.
Does freezing lipstick kill bacteria?
Surprisingly, yes! Freezing lipstick can also kill germs, but be careful. This does NOT apply to liquid and lip gloss lipsticks.
Understandable, but perhaps these will help you out so we don’t add to waste too much!
Any time!
They certainly still can, from our own use! Very welcome, Vourneen!
Agreed! When we’re young we don’t think about these things so much, but especially in these times, we must be careful!
Great tips! I’ve always been too nervous to use a lipstick again if I’ve ever used one when I’ve had a cold sore. Seems like such a waste but mine always end up in the bin after that.
that’s a great idea! thank you for sharing dear
I never realised that it was necessary to sanitize lipsticks, but thinking about it, it makes perfect sense! I don’t share my makeup with anyone but of course it can still pick up germs. Thanks for these tips!
When I was a teenager, we used to share makeup with everyone. In other words, several girls sweating the same things in their eyes and mouth, nowadays when I think about it, I am horrified as no one was afraid of danger.
Nowadays I’m much more careful and I try to sanitize everything regularly.
xo