Secondhand Makeup Is Being Sold Online, and the Internet Is Not a Fan

The post in question featured a previously owned makeup product. A fan account put the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder up for sale, a product that retails for around P4,900 in the Philippines. She was selling it for only P300, with much of the pan already visible.

Netizens raised concerns about the lack of hygiene involved in selling pre-loved makeup, citing reasons such as the spread of bacteria, the possibility of the product being expired or contaminated, and the chance of the buyer’s skin developing a negative reaction.

Some netizens acknowledged that selling used makeup is “very wrong,” but also noted that the seller was being attacked personally. “Calling her out for what she did is one thing, but turning it into personal attacks is completely different.”

Others raised concerns about bullying, underscoring that “kindness can coexist with calling out something that is wrong.” Some netizens also recognized the realities of life. For some beauty enthusiasts, buying used makeup may be the only way they can experience specific products, just as the seller claimed she did. They also encouraged opting for more affordable brands.

After turning her fan account private, the seller explained that she has a “minimal allowance” and that her parents “only have their pension as [a] source of income.” She also shared that she used to buy pre-loved makeup as a high school student because it was what she could afford at the time. “Maybe I’m just [a] few of the lucky ones,” she wrote, referring to how she never experienced an “infection, stye, [or] pimple” because of it.

She admitted that selling an extensively used powder was a lapse in judgment, but also wrote that buyers should probably “know the risk of buying pre-loved [makeup].” As a workaround, she decided to sell her used items on a different platform moving forward.

To better understand the risks of using secondhand makeup, Preview chatted with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jarische Lao-Ang, whom you might know as @thedermamamaph on Instagram and TikTok, to get her expert take.

“Using secondhand makeup may cause irritation on the skin, and even contact allergy,” said Dr. Jarische, highlighting that it can also transmit skin infections. She also agreed that using secondhand makeup is an unhygienic practice.

While it is possible to disinfect beauty products, it is still recommended to “avoid using secondhand makeup as much as possible.” Dr. Jarische shared that cleaning them may lessen the risk of skin irritation, but it does not offer 100 percent protection.

She added, “The preservatives in secondhand cosmetics expire over time, unable to hold the stability of the product.” This means its chemical or physical structure may break down, leading to mixing, separation, or other changes in the ingredients. As Dr. Jarische mentioned, this may happen because the product is old or has been improperly stored. Whatever the cause, an unstable product is no longer safe to use.

Celebrity makeup artist Muriel Vega Perez also shared his tips for keeping his products and tools safe to use on different clients. “I’m very particular about cleaning my makeup and tools,” he said. “We clean my makeup after every use.”

Like Dr. Jarische, Muriel doesn’t recommend using pre-loved makeup. He explained, “I wouldn’t know the chain of integrity of the product, how it was acquired, used, and stored.”

With that in mind, here are some tried-and-tested tips from Dr. Jarische and Muriel for applying makeup without compromising your skin health:

• Always wash your hands before applying cosmetic products.

• Don’t use expired makeup.

• Use a spatula and mixing plates for cream and liquid products.

• Apply cosmetic sanitizer on your items.

• Use a UVC light sterilizer to kill surface bacteria, molds, or viruses that may have gotten to your beauty tools and products.

• Wash your makeup brushes and sponges with a mild soap or a brush cleaner every one to two weeks. Air-dry them afterwards.

• Switch to new makeup brushes and sponges frequently, or after around two to three months of usage.

• If you’re doing makeup on numerous people, prepare multiple sets of brushes.

• Store your makeup and other cosmetics properly.

The idea of trying used makeup also applies to product testers found in kiosks or stores at the mall. To minimize the potential for a skin reaction, Dr. Jarische suggests applying the product only to your hand or the side of your neck instead of directly to your face. It’s also best to request disposable applicators and wipe off the cosmetics soon after swatching.