Novel Natural Disinfectants for Contaminated Cosmetic Application Tools

Abstract


 Background: Makeup can get contaminated by inadequate preservative capacities, poor handling procedures during manufacturing and in use contamination. Makeup application tools like tweezers, scissors, and a variety of brushes and sponges are also a potential breeding ground for bacteria. Bacterial growth can occur when these tools are shared or used for a prolonged period of time without washing. 
 Aim: The present study attempted to find a novel, effective, economic and easy to use natural disinfectants that can be effective in inhibiting bacterial contaminants from cosmetic application tools. 
 Materials and Methods: A total of 35 multiuse tools (10 brushes and 15 face sponges) were collected from University Girls' Dormitory/ University of Mosul. Two concentrations (1,5, and 10%) of Aluminum potassium sulfate ( alum) and sodium bicarbonate ( baking soda) were evaluated for the first time for antimicrobial activity. 
 Results: Microbial analysis showed that brushes harbored more bacterial contamination than sponges. The most prevalent pathogenic bacteria were found to belong to the genera Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Proteus, Klebsiella and other lactose and non-lactose fermenters. Results showed that both compounds were effective in inhibiting growth of all bacterial isolates over a 24 hr. treatment period especially at higher concentrations (10%). 
 Conclusion: This study demonstrated the feasibility of alum used in debridement removing activity and a disinfecting agent based on antimicrobial activity against facultative anaerobic bacterial isolates which are best representing sponge and brush contaminants An advantage of NaHCO3 and alum over other antimicrobial agents is its safety, availability , ease and low cost.