"Do You Use Lipstick Testers?" COVID-19 Impact, Cosmetic Stores Feel 'Uneasy'

COVID-19 Spread Rekindles Hygiene Controversy Over Cosmetic Tester Products
Beauty Industry Promises to Strengthen Cosmetic Cleanliness Management but Compliance Is Poor
Experts Warn "Lipsticks Pose Risk Due to Possible Droplet Transmission"

On the 17th, a consumer is testing cosmetics at a cosmetics store in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Yeonju Kim, intern reporter yeonju1853@

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Yeonju Kim] "It's unsettling because you never know who might have applied it where.", "Using cotton swabs or puffs also feels uncomfortable. Can we really trust that everyone is being careful?"

As extensive quarantine measures are being implemented to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), concerns are growing over the use of cosmetic tester products. There is particular worry about infection risks not only from cosmetics applied to the face but also from lipstick products, which are often applied directly to the lips.

On the afternoon of the 17th, at a health & beauty (H&B) store and road shops in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul, cosmetic testers were displayed for customer convenience. Inside each store, signs were posted requesting customers to use testers with scent strips, cotton swabs, or puffs due to concerns about COVID-19 infection.

Office worker Ms. Kim (27, female) said, "When I use tester products at cosmetic stores, I usually use disposable cotton swabs or sponges provided by the store. But there have been many times when disposable cotton swabs or sponges were not available." She added, "As a consumer, I feel anxious about the risk of infection when using testers after the COVID-19 outbreak, but from the seller's perspective, it seems they focus more on the inconvenience of having to constantly replenish disposable items, which makes me uneasy."

Tester products displayed at an offline cosmetics store in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Yeonju Kim, intern reporter yeonju1853@

Moreover, there are concerns about whether such notices are effective unless disposable cotton swabs, puffs, etc., are well stocked and consumers who are accustomed to applying products directly to their skin are continuously informed.

Office worker Ms. Yang (29, female) said, "I habitually opened a tester lipstick and brought it to my lips." She added, "I immediately realized it was a mistake, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who applies it to their lips."

As consumer discomfort and anxiety grow, the industry has announced plans to thoroughly manage the hygiene of tester cosmetics to reduce infection risks amid the prolonged COVID-19 situation.

Company A announced a policy to increase the frequency of disinfecting tester cosmetics to prevent infection. They decided to conduct additional disinfection based on usage, beyond the previous nine times per day common to all stores.

Company B stated that they will disinfect the surfaces of tester cosmetics as well to block the possibility of infection through touch.

Tester Product Usage Instructions posted at an offline cosmetics store in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Yeonju Kim, Intern Reporter yeonju1853@

However, despite the industry's disinfection policies, some consumers expressed that they cannot shake off their anxiety.

University student Ms. Lee (24, female) said, "Although the stores say they manage disinfection well, it's hard to trust because it's not visible." She criticized, "Unless staff monitor every moment whether customers apply products directly to their hands, how can they manage hygiene thoroughly?"

She added, "Since the risk of COVID-19 infection cannot be ignored, I think the best option when buying cosmetics is to read the product manual or seek help from staff instead of applying the product directly. Trying it on is best, but sometimes it's unavoidable."

Experts warned that tester cosmetics, which come into contact with many people's skin, pose a risk of exposure to COVID-19 infection. Lipsticks, in particular, carry a high risk due to the possibility of droplet contact.

Professor Jeomjung Sik, an infectious disease specialist at Gachon University Gil Medical Center, said, "Using tester cosmetics that many people touch exposes one to the risk of COVID-19 infection." He advised, "When comparing multiple products, avoid using disposable cotton swabs multiple times on different products. Disposable cotton swabs and similar items should be used only once and then discarded."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.