Bacteria in Makeup
By: Kristina Bowers & Lexi Speak
What kind of bacteria is found in makeup?
How much bacteria is actually in mascara?
Why did the face have the most bacteria?
Laura Byrne, 26, sent in a nine-month out-of-date blusher from London. She said: 'I'm absolutely shocked that my blusher contains bacteria that could cause meningitis and septicaemia.
'I was aware that I had kept it well past its use by date but didn't think for a minute that a blusher to contain killer diseases growing in it.
A four-month out-of-date foundation was also sent in by Grace Day, 22, from Manchester.
She added: 'I try to get my make-up in date, but I thought it wouldn't matter if it was a few months over, clearly I was wrong.
'Needless to say I will be throwing this out and other out of date make up in future.'
The research was commissioned by online beauty retailer www.escentual.com and involved several high-street beauty products.
CEO Rakesh Aggarwal said: 'Most women are totally unaware that their cosmetics are a potentially breeding ground for deadly bacteria.
'But if you think about it you wouldn't keep food for months after the use by date so why should this be acceptable for cosmetics.
'This research has even surprised us and has shown that there is a serious health risk here