5 Beauty Products You Should Never (Never!) Share

Sharing means taking care of people, unless we're talking about our makeup bag. Would you share a drink with a friend who has a cold? Did not think. Just as you wouldn't dip a dirty finger into your favorite face cream, you shouldn't dream of letting a friend do the same. Below, we’ll cover skin care products that you should categorically not share with others—indeed, it’s okay to be a little selfish at times.

Products in the bank

Skin care products packaged in jars - night masks, eye cream, body oils, etc. - are on the list of things that should not be shared. That is, if you don't use them properly. As a general rule, these types of mixtures should be scooped out of the jars with a small spoon (either the one that comes with the kit or the one you get separately). The spoon should be washed after each use and stored in a cool, dry place. This helps ensure that you don't spread bacteria and germs from your hands (or worse, from someone else's!) to your products and subsequently to your face. Breakouts, anyone?

Lip balm

Ladies, lip balm belongs only to your lips, and the same goes for your glosses and lipsticks! By sharing your lip products, you risk catching colds, germs, and bacteria from friends you don't normally have. Play it safe and just say no when it comes to swapping pout products.

Makeup brushes

Remember how we told you about the bacteria breeding ground that is an unwashed makeup brush or sponge - check it out for a quick refresh - well, multiply that by a lot if you share these beauty tools. The oils found on your friend's face are a shock! - not the same as those found on your own, so if your best friend borrows your brushes, it can lead to skin breakouts. Foreign oils can mix with excess sebum, dead skin cells, and other impurities on your own skin, clogging pores, and turning into blemishes. Keep your makeup brushes clean and with you!

Pressed powders

Any pressed powder makeup product—from setting powder to blush to bronzer—shouldn't split, and it all goes back to those foreign oils. When your friend dips her makeup brush into your powder, the bacteria and sebum living there can end up on your favorite product. When you're going to use it later, your brush can pick up those germs and oils and leave them on your face, which in turn can cause breakouts.

Cleansing brushes

Did you know that Clarisonic tips need to be replaced every three months to keep them in top condition? Over time, the bristles can wear out and become less effective - in fact, the co-founder of the brand advises trying to replace the brush head if you feel like you've fallen out of love with your Clarisonic. However, what will make you fall out of love even faster if you share your cleansing brush with a buddy. Foreign oils from her face not only contaminate your makeup brushes, they can also seep into your favorite cleansing brush. Reserve these luxury-worthy devices for yourself.