Can You Share Makeup Safely? Here’s What the Pros Recommend

Borrowing a friend’s lip gloss or mascara might seem harmless, but dermatologists say it can spread more than you’d expect. Here’s which products are riskiest to swap, and the simple tricks makeup artists use to share without the germs.

“Just because a product looks clean doesn’t necessarily mean it is.” This is what you should think about if you’re planning to use someone else’s makeup.

The statement comes from LYS Beauty lead artist and educator MarQuis Ward, who, along with other beauty experts, urges caution when sharing makeup.

You may not see it, but our skin naturally carries bacteria. When you share beauty products and tools, you risk spreading bacteria from one person to another. “We all harbor bacteria on our skin surface and these can then contaminate our cosmetics,” says San Antonio dermatologist Dr. Vivian Bucay.

If you think a little bacteria can’t do any harm, think again. “The largest danger is potential infection,” says Dr. Angela Lamb, a board-certified dermatologist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Even just sharing lip gloss with someone who has a cold sore can spread the herpes simplex virus, according to Lamb. The same goes for sharing razors, which can spread tough bacteria like MRSA. MRSA is a type of staph bacteria that’s resistant to many common antibiotics.

Likewise, be wary of sharing eye products like mascara, eyeshadow, or eyeliner, since doing so can lead to eye infections, including pink eye, according to dermatologist Dr. Jeanine B. Downie.

As a rule, avoid sharing anything that touches the eyes or lips directly, “especially mascara, liquid liner, lipstick, and lip gloss,” Ward says. Lamb adds makeup brushes, sponges, razors, dermaplaning tools, tweezers, and extraction tools to the list, unless they’ve been disinfected.

Celebrity makeup artist Jenny Patinkin says skincare that comes in jars, where you normally dip your fingers, can also become contaminated. She even advises against using in-store testers when you can.

Because sharing is also caring, if you do want to share, there’s a safe way to do it. For liquid and cream products, Ward suggests dispensing them onto a clean palette and using a fresh applicator for each person, rather than applying directly from the container. For powders, wipe the surface with a clean tissue first, then use a clean brush.

For products that touch the eyes or lips, it’s best to share them when they’re new. If you’re sharing a used lipstick, Ward recommends removing the top layer first, then lightly spraying it with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Let it dry completely before using it. A word of caution from Ward: “never put a used applicator back into the original product.”

For skincare, Patinkin advises washing your hands well, but it’s even better to use a clean spatula to scoop out the products from the jars.

Tools should also be kept clean to prevent germs and bacteria on brushes and applicators from causing breakouts. Make it a habit to wash them regularly.

While these guidelines can help lower the risk of contamination, they are not foolproof. If you can’t share a product safely, experts say it’s best not to share it at all. Sometimes, it’s kinder to everyone to keep your beauty products to yourself.