Spring cleaning your makeup bag

There’s something lurking at the bottom of your makeup bag, and it’s not pretty.

According to Mayo Clinic Health System Dermatology physician assistant Mary Duh, old and expired cosmetics harbor dangerous amounts of bacteria. This not only directly affects the individual wearing the makeup, but it also can affect anyone they come in contact with.

“Makeup can be infected with bacteria after only one use. The bacterium builds up over time and can cause harm to a person’s skin, eyes, lips and overall health,” says Duh. “When makeup gets old, it starts to break down, and this can cause issues from irritation and inflammation to rashes, blisters, eye infections and pinkeye.”

In rare cases, women have even been temporarily or permanently blinded by an eye cosmetic, according to the Food and Drug Administration.