COVID-19 may have turned all of us into germophobes, but you can’t blame us — the virus can live anywhere from 2 hours to 9 days on surfaces, and there’s evidence that it can remain airborne in very humid weather. The best defense is to wash your hands and avoid touching the face — but what about the products we put on our face? Here’s how to disinfect makeup and beauty products.

Lipstick

This is probably the makeup product you should disinfect often. The creamy formula is a hotbed for microorganisms — not just COVID-19 and other viruses, but bacteria, oral herpes, and even mold. (Read more about bacteria and makeup.)

To disinfect lipstick, spray the exposed tube with isopropyl alcohol and then wipe it off with tissue.

If you want to be extra vigilant (for example, you’ve just had a cold or any virus) get a cotton bud and scrape the top of your lipstick. You may want to do this before using any lipstick that’s been in storage for a long time, too.

And always clean your lipstick brushes once a week. Wash them with anti-bacterial soap and dry completely before storing.

Mascara and Mascara Curler

You can clean the wand (it’ll also prevent clumping when you apply) but as a general rule just throw away mascara after 3 months.

To clean your mascara curler, just warm it up with a lighter! It will melt away all the dried up mascara and kill all the bacteria too.

Fake eyelashes

Dip an old, clean mascara wand into isopropyl alcohol and rub it gently on the false eyelashes.

Powder products

Get a butter knife and gently scrape the top surface. This is also a good way to save a powder compact that you use a lot and has caked or hard area.

Disinfect the mirror with alcohol and a soft cloth. For the little ridges and corners in the compact where the powder can collect, use a soft tissue or a toothpick wrapped in cotton that’s been dipped into alcohol.

Cream products

Clean the bottles and bottle caps with a cloth that’s been dipped in isopropyl alcohol. And if you want to be extra careful, never dip your hands directly into a jar or bottle. Use a small spatula or a coffee stirrer to get what you need.

Makeup kits and bags

Yes you must DEFINITELY disinfect your makeup bags and kits, because you’ve probably put them on your work table or public bathroom counters. Wash them in hot water and soap, or wipe them with a rag and bleach solution.

Makeup brushes and sponges

You should be washing these anyway, because dirty makeup tools can cause acne and don’t really blend makeup well.