Paper BI-TuE10
Pretty Gross: Surface Analysis Illustrating How Beauty Tools Aren’t Only Biocompatible for the Human Face

Tuesday, December 4, 2018, 8:40 pm, Room Naupaka Salon 6-7

Tools such as “beauty blender” sponges have become a multi billion dollar product in the cosmetic industry. Introduced in 2007 as reusable utensils for the reliable application of liquid foundation, these applicators have become the largest growing area of the cosmetic industry. Current sales in the USA alone equate to $445B USD/yr in 2017, and are expected to climb to $805/yr by 2023. Although the manufacturers recommend that their sponges be cleaned prior to each use, and have a limited lifetime, many users are relatively complacent about the hygiene of their utensils. In this work, we evaluate how the surface properties of the various makeup blending sponges on the market correlate with their utility and propensity to harbor unwanted bacteria and other microbes. Using traditional surface analysis tools such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, the surface chemistry, porosity, tensile and Young’s modulus of the dominant sponges currently sold on the market were evaluated. In addition, the relative hospitality of the sponges to culture bacteria such as E. coli, Staphlococcus aureus, and Propionibacteriumacnes were evaluated using confocal microscopy, dilution colony cell counts, and XTT analyses. Preliminary results indicate that these sponges, which are primarily poly(urethane)-based, are capable of forming colonies of these bacteria, as well as other microbial such as fungi, within days if not hours.