Isolation and identification of microorganisms in selected cosmetic products tester

Abstract

Components of cosmetics supply a rich medium for the growth of microorganisms. Customers usually like to try cosmetics before buying them. Repetitive use of the eye and makeup tester by different customers may become a potential vector of microbial pathogens. The major goal of this study was to evaluate microbial contamination of the cosmetics that are accessed as an unsealed make-up tester in the selected makeup shops located in Saudi Arabia. Sixty samples of cosmetic testers including mascara, lipstick, blushes, contour, powder, and brushes were collected from shopping malls. These samples were inoculated into different culture media including Blood agar, MacConkey agar, and Saboraud dextrose agar to cultivate fastidious bacteria, coliforms, and fungi, respectively. The microorganisms isolated and identified were: Staphylococcus epidermidis (57%), Candida albicans (27%), Propionibacterium acnes (12%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2%), and Staphylococcus aureus (2%). From the sample collected in this project, all bacteria species isolated are considered as skin normal flora except P. acnes and S. aureus that cause acne. The study has concluded that cosmetic testers from selected shopping malls are almost contaminated by bacteria and fungi; the risks generated by inappropriate usage and sharing cosmetics tester samples in public.