Bacterial Contamination of Shared Cosmetic Tester Products in Cosmetic Stores

These findings highlight the need for stricter hygiene measures and consumer awareness regarding the use of cosmetic tester products to reduce potential health risks.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Cosmetic products used as tester by multiple individuals ahave increased risk of bacterial contamination posing a potential health risk, particularly to immunocompromised individuals.

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Key Findings & Data:This study was conducted as a student research project under academic supervision between January and April 2024.

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Conclusion & Impact:These findings highlight the need for stricter hygiene measures and consumer awareness regarding the use of cosmetic tester products to reduce potential health risks.

🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi

📍Scope:2024 Verileri

⚙️Variables:Kozmetik ürünler · deneme ürünleri · bakteriyel kontaminasyon

Abstract

Cosmetic products used as tester by multiple individuals ahave increased risk of bacterial contamination posing a potential health risk, particularly to immunocompromised individuals. This study aimed to evaluate bacterial contamination in cosmetic tester products available in cosmetic stores. This study was conducted as a student research project under academic supervision between January and April 2024. Samples were collected from a total of 60 cosmetic tester products obtained from cosmetics stores, including 21 lipsticks, 7 mascaras, 9 foundations, 14 eyeshadows, and 9 blushs. Bacterial identification was performed using conventional microbiological methods and MALDI-TOF MS, where appropriate. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas stutzeri isolates was performed using the BD Phoenix™ automated susceptibility testing system. Bacterial contamination was detected in 13 (21,6%) of the 60 tester products. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were identified in six samples (10%). Viridans group streptococci were detected in three samples (5%), Priestia flexa (formerly Bacillus flexus) in two samples (3.3%). Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from one sample (1.7%), while Pseudomonas stutzeri was recovered from one sample (1.7%). These findings highlight the need for stricter hygiene measures and consumer awareness regarding the use of cosmetic tester products to reduce potential health risks.

Özet

Kozmetik mağazalarında birden fazla kişi tarafından kullanılan kozmetik deneme ürünleri bakteriyel kontaminasyona açıktır. Bu durum özellikle bağışıklığı baskılanmış bireyler için risk oluşturabilir. Bu çalışmada, kozmetik mağazalarında kullanıma sunulan deneme ürünlerindeki bakteriyel kontaminasyonun değerlendirilmesi amaçlandı. Bu çalışma, akademik danışmanlık altında 2.sınıf öğrenci projesi olarak Ocak–Nisan 2024 tarihleri arasında gerçekleştirildi. Kozmetik mağazalarından toplanan toplam 60 deneme ürününden (21 ruj, 7 maskara, 9 fondöten, 14 göz farı ve 9 allık) örnekler alındı. Kültürde üreyen bakterilerin tanımlanmasında konvansiyonel mikrobiyolojik yöntemler ve MALDI-TOF MS kullanıldı. Staphylococcus aureus ve Pseudomonas stutzeri izolatlarının antimikrobiyal duyarlılık testleri, BD Phoenix™ otomatik duyarlılık test sistemi kullanılarak gerçekleştirildi. İncelenen 60 test ürününün 13’ünde (%21,6) bakteriyel kontaminasyon saptandı. Altı örnekte koagülaz-negatif stafilokoklar (%10), üç örnekte viridans grubu streptokoklar (%5), iki örnekte Priestia flexa (%3.3), tespit edildi. Bir örnekten Staphylococcus aureus (%1,7), bir örnekten ise Pseudomonas stutzeri (%1,7) izole edildi. Bulgularımız, ortak kullanıma sunulan kozmetik test ürünlerinin oluşturabileceği sağlık risklerini azaltmak amacıyla daha sıkı hijyen önlemlerinin alınmasına ve tüketici farkındalığının artırılmasına ihtiyaç olduğunu göstermektedir.

Keywords

Kozmetik ürünler deneme ürünleri bakteriyel kontaminasyon MALDI-TOF MS Halk sağlığı Tester Products Bacterial contamination Cosmetic tester products Public health

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Cite This Article

Erdem, F., Bulut, M. S., Iskın, E., Akgün, E., Kaya, A., Kaya, B., Gül, E., Kendüz, Y. E., Yücel, Y., *, F. E. (2026). Bacterial Contamination of Shared Cosmetic Tester Products in Cosmetic Stores. Osmangazi Tıp Dergisi, Cilt: 48 Sayı: Öğrenci Özel Sayısı 2026, 100–106. https://ajindex.com/articles/1298455

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