Clearing Things Up: Mold In Skincare Products

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It shouldn’t happen. It really shouldn’t happen. A blemish in the product that’s supposed to prevent blemishes? This week we’re talking all about mold and what happens when it makes itself at home in your favorite skincare products.

Despite their use of preservatives, mold can still pop up in things like cleansers and moisturizers – albeit at a much slower pace than it would in a loaf of bread. Expiry dates exist for a reason and must not be ignored, not to mention the fact that – according to Texas-based dermatologist, Ted Lain – even preservatives will not always be 100% effective for warding off fungus. Coupled with an increasing emphasis on all things natural, our reliance on chemical preservatives may be misguided.

It’s vital to know the tell-tale signs, therefore – unless you want the very thing that’s supposed to stop break-outs to inadvertently cause them.

Machiavellian Mold

“Moisture, warmth and food are all necessary for mold to grow”, Florida-based dermatologist, Roberta Del Campo says, meaning where you store your skincare products is crucial to extending its shelf life.

Yet – unlike its non-cosmetic peers – mold in skincare products can be even more Machiavellian as it’s guilty of the ultimate treachery – camouflaging itself into the same color as your product – not to mention the added difficulty of spotting any unwanted visitors in opaque bottles and tubes.

And what can you expect to happen if you slather a contaminated product on your skin? “For those with a normal immune system and skin that is not inflamed or irritated, there is little risk that mold will cause much of an issue”, Ted told Allure magazine. “For those with a compromised immune system or if the barrier function of skin is limited, the mold could cause an infection.” You should also expect the possibility of a rash, eczema, hives or – when used on the face – “itchy or swollen eyes”, according to Roberta, whilst makeup to the stars, Nikki Fontaine, is reported to have warned against clogged pores and breakouts.

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It’s great that beauty is in the eye of the beholder … as long as that beholder is not mold!

 

 

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