InStyle: Some tips on COVID-19 and your beauty products.1
While it’s unclear exactly how long the coronavirus remains active outside the body, studies have reported activity anywhere from two hours to nine days depending on the surface. All of the experts we spoke with recommended proceeding with your regularly scheduled beauty regimen cautiously, as the exact longevity of SARS-CoV-2 has not been tested in beauty products. Dr. Rasmussen offered straightforward guidance: if you contract the coronavirus, avoid using any products, and definitely avoid sharing yours with other people.
Dr. Shuting Hu, a cosmetic scientist and founder of Acaderma skincare products, recommends creating two distinct areas in your home: a contamination zone and a clean zone. When you return home, “leave all contaminated items (outer clothes, shoes, handbags, etc.) in the ‘contaminated zone.’” After you’ve washed your hands, sterilize all items you bring into the “clean zone.” However, the CDC currently recommends people who have been infected stay home as much as possible to reduce the risk of community spread.
As far as disinfecting products you already have at home, the CDC’s cleaning recommendations apply to the outer packaging (you can wipe down a lotion bottle or lipstick tube with a Lysol wipe, e.g.) but after the product inside is potentially contaminated, Dr. Hu reassured us that any product at risk can become safe again if left untouched for several days.
