To put it simply, sharing skin care products with friends will likely do more harm than good. It is only natural for skin care products to come in contact with germs and bacteria; on each square centimeter of your skin, there are about 1,500 bacteria. Individual products invite unique problems for both you and your friends.
What to Avoid Sharing
Items to particularly avoid sharing include anything in a jar, lip products, eye products and makeup, and applicators. Skin and beauty products may come into contact with bodily fluids including tears, mucus, saliva, blood, or pus. To be safe, you should really avoid sharing anything.
New Infections
Certain types of jars lack airtight packaging and can become an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. Dipping an additional set of germs from the second pair of hands into a jar of the product can wreak havoc on both your friend’s skin and your own. Oftentimes, brushes and sponges are forgotten to be cleaned, thus increasing the chances of bacteria being spread. These are just a few examples.
Products Vary with Skin Type
Every individual has a unique skin type, and while a certain skin or beauty product may work for one friend, it may not be suitable for the other. Several common skin types include normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive. While it is inadvisable to share skin care products because it may lead to infection and the spread of germs, your friend’s products may also not be suited for your skin type. Sharing products could lead to acne or contact dermatitis — a red, itchy rash or an allergic reaction caused by direct contact with a substance.
Each skin type requires a separate skin care approach. For instance, those with a normal skin type typically have smaller pores and do not tend to get oily or dry skin often. They usually have an even skin tone and do not experience many blemishes or wrinkles.
As you can see, skin care is not one-size-fits-all, and you shouldn’t share skin care products if you can help it. At South Lake OB/GYN in Clermont, we avail the best skin care services and can help you determine which products can work best for you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more!