The concern about whether to keep or discard personal items like lipstick after a COVID-19 infection is valid. Lip products present a unique challenge because they come into direct contact with the mouth, a primary site for viral shedding during a respiratory illness. Understanding the risks involves looking at the science of how long the SARS-CoV-2 virus remains viable on common cosmetic materials. We offer guidance on when to discard an item and when sanitization is sufficient.
How Long Viruses Survive on Cosmetics
The survival time of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is highly dependent on the surface material and environmental conditions. Lip product packaging, often made of plastic, is a non-porous surface where the virus can remain detectable for a few days under typical room temperature conditions. Studies modeling viral decay on surfaces like plastic suggest the infectious half-life is relatively short, meaning the viral load diminishes rapidly over time.
For waxy cosmetic formulations, the specific fat and oil content may influence viral viability, but the general expectation is a decline in infectious particles over a short period. A significant reduction in viable virus, such as 99.9%, is often observed within approximately three days on non-porous materials. The primary risk decreases substantially the longer the lip product remains unused after exposure.
Making the Decision to Discard
The decision to discard a lip product should be based on the timeline of your illness and the nature of the product itself. If the lipstick or balm was used frequently during the symptomatic phase of your COVID-19 infection, especially when coughing or sneezing were active, the product is likely to have a high initial viral load. For products that cannot be effectively sanitized below the surface, discarding the item is the safest choice to eliminate any risk of re-exposure.
Liquid lip products, lip glosses, and any product applied with a wand or doe-foot applicator are generally considered non-salvageable after use during an infection. The applicator repeatedly transfers material from the lips back into the main reservoir, contaminating the entire product volume, which cannot be cleaned. Throwing away these items is a prudent measure to prevent future cross-contamination. Conversely, if you were asymptomatic or the product was not used for at least three to four days after your symptoms began, the viral load would have naturally decayed to a very low level. In these scenarios, especially with solid stick products, sanitization can often be an effective alternative to disposal.
Safe Methods for Sanitizing Lip Products
For solid lip products, such as traditional bullet lipsticks and twist-up lip balms, a physical removal process is the most effective sanitization method. You can gently slice off the entire top layer of the lipstick, approximately one to two millimeters, using a clean, sharp knife or a clean tissue. This action removes the surface layer that was in direct contact with your mouth and any potential viral particles.
After removing the top layer, you can further sanitize the product’s surface by lightly misting it with a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution. It is important to use 70% alcohol to effectively neutralize pathogens. The alcohol should be allowed to air-dry completely before the lipstick is capped. Additionally, the outer casing of the lip product should be wiped down thoroughly with an alcohol wipe or cloth dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol. This two-step process addresses both the cosmetic surface and the external packaging.