TikToker cuts into new makeup sponge, makes gruesome discovery

Oct 15, 2024

Can’t remember the last time you replaced your makeup sponge? This is your sign to buy a new one.

Kaitlyn Son, a lifestyle content creator, revealed that her Beautyblender had quickly become a breeding ground for mold — unbeknownst to her.

“Cutting open my new beauty blender to see if there’s mold,” she wrote on a now-viral December video with more than 18.8 million views.

She had noticed that her “new” pink sponge had sprouted dark splotches, making her wonder if fungi could be festering inside.

So, she took a pair of scissors and cut the cosmetic applicator in half — revealing clusters of black residue, presumably mold — prompting her to toss the Beautyblender in the trash.

The Post reached out to the makers of Beautyblender for comment.

In the comments, Son claimed to have only used the sponge one time and asked her viewers for recommendations for disposable sponges for future use.

Some viewers claimed their makeup applicators had never grown mold, while others swear by trusty brushes or their fingers to apply cosmetics out of fear of fungus.

“The mold adds to my base,” one viewer joked.

“There has got to be mold in mine bc i always forget to let it dry,” admitted someone else.

“Oh this is another thing to be afraid of thank you,” quipped another.

“I started using my hands for everything that I can cause I know my hands won’t grow mold,” one person wrote.

“How long till you should change your beauty blender?” another asked, to which Son said, “every month or two.”

🥚🌸 lessee wats inside #beautyblender #moldybeautyblender #cuttingbeautyblender #beautyblendercutting 🤢🤮

Replying to @godisawoman hope this helps! this is according to their website. #beautyblender #whentogetanewbeautyblender #whentoreplaceyouebeautyblender

Son also tested an older sponge — one she claimed was a decade old — but found that the Beautyblender didn’t have any visible mold growth.

In a subsequent TikTok, the content creator educated her followers about Beautyblender care, sharing a screenshot from the company’s website.

The hallmark hot pink sponge is typically plush and bouncy on the skin when applying product, but should the surface of the sponge become torn, stained or no longer cushy, it’s time to say goodbye and re-buy.

“Apparently, we’re supposed to store Beautyblenders in open air,” Son said in another video, while sharing different options for aesthetically adorable sponge stands.

For her part, dermatologist Dr. Azadeh Shirazi recommends cleaning makeup sponges after every use to avoid fungal or bacterial growth.

She reports that the most effective way to remove stubborn makeup stains is to use a combination of hot water, soap and oil to dislodge excess product.