How your make-up brushes are more dirty than a TOILET SEAT

Make-up brushes can have more bacteria on them than a toilet brush, a new study has revealed.

Shocking photos released by the Aventus Clinic – a Dermatology Specialists based in Hitchin, Hertfordshire – show how dirty make-up brushes and tools really are covered in fuzzy mould, fungus and bacteria.

The team swabbed make-up brushes to see what lurks under the microscopic surface. Uit die 12 brushes tested, 11 were found to be dirtier than your average toilet seat, with eyeshadow and blusher tools the worst offenders.

Shocking photos released by the Aventus Clinic – a Dermatology Specialists based in Hitchin, Hertfordshire – show how dirty make-up brushes and tools really are covered in fuzzy mould, fungus and bacteria. Op die foto: The eyeshadow brush test vial is almost entirely covered in fuzzy blue and green mould – links: Mould and yeast from the make-up brush and bacteria on the right

The lipgloss (op die foto) had the third most bacteria on it. Links: mould and yeast from the lipgloss and right the bacteria found

The team swabbed make-up brushes to see what lurks under the microscopic surface. Uit die 12 brushes tested, 11 were found to be dirtier than your average toilet seat, with eyeshadow and blusher tools (op die foto) the worst offenders

Third on the list of most bacterial make-up was lipgloss, met 4364 colonies of yeast and bacteria were found across all items tested.

Each set of images shows the product tested, and a vial with the level of mould and yeast, and a second vial with the bacteria.

The eyeshadow brush test vial is almost entirely covered in fuzzy blue and green mould, while the foundation brush vial has large droplets of blood-red bacteria across it.

Having dirty make-up brushes can be harmful and cause infections and skin break-outs.

Each set of images shows the product tested, and a vial with the level of mould and yeast, and a second vial with the bacteria. The beauty blender is pictured

A concealer blender is pictured. The horrifying set of images has revealed just how dirty brushes really get if not regularly maintained, covered in mould, fungus and bacteria

Having dirty make-up brushes can be harmful and cause infections and skin break-outs, kenners onthul. Pictured is the eyelash curler (links) with its mould results (sentrum) and bacteria (reg)

‘It’s awful to see the amount of bacteria that could potentially sit on a makeup brush,’ Dr Suhail Alam, medical director at Aventus Clinic said.

‘Egter, it’s not entirely shocking.

‘Even after a person uses a makeup brush for the first time, it will already be forming colonies of bacteria.

‘With daily use, the brushes will automatically start collecting dirt, pollutants, oil and dead skin cells, which is why make-up brushes act as a breeding ground for bacteria which can lead to breakouts and skin irritations.

Op die foto: Control test results for a toilet seat, showing mould and yeast on the left and bacteria on the right. The results showed 11 uit 12 beauty tools had more bacteria than a toilet seat

The test results for a foundation brush, showing mould and yeast on the left and bacteria on the right. The more you clean your brushes, the less dirt seeps out of the bristles, sê kenners

‘If a contaminated brush comes into contact with the eye, this could cause infections or allergic reactions but these can be avoided with a weekly cleaning routine.’

‘We recommend cleaning your makeup brushes at least once a week to avoid such an enormous build-up of bacteria.

‘To clean the brushes properly, we suggest lathering the brush in an appropriate skin cleanser, massaging any bristles in the palm of your hand thoroughly, rinsing with lukewarm water and then squeezing the brush to remove any excess moisture.

‘The more you clean your brushes, the less dirt seeps out of the bristles, but this is a good thing, so don’t stop cleaning your brushes regularly if you find this to be the case!’