I didn’t clean my makeup brushes — it gave me ringworm

You can’t makeup this cosmetics catastrophe.

A British woman has gone viral on TikTok after revealing she contracted ringworm by sharing her makeup brushes with friends.

Louaira Dela Cruz, 22, took to the social media site to document the dermatological disaster this week, sharing several videos of a nasty rash that spread across her face.

“Sorry guys, I’ve been a bit quiet because my skin’s flared up,” the brunette declared in a video on Sunday following a mysterious hiatus from TikTok.

“I don’t know what it is and doctors don’t know what it is, but — trigger warning — this is what’s been going on,” Dela Cruz continued, before showing off two pink, circular rashes that had grown on her chin.

“That is ringworm. How do the doctors not know that? Wow!” one concerned commenter responded.

Sure enough, in a follow-up clip posted two days later, Dela Cruz confirmed she had been diagnosed with the infection, and was trying to treat it.

“Skin update,” she stated. “I know sharing is caring, but you best believe I’m not letting anyone touch my makeup brushes or sponges ever again, because this is ringworm.”

Ringworm, which is caused by a fungus, results in itchy, red, circular rashes that spread across the skin.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, ringworm is “very common” and the fungi that cause the infection lives on the skin and in the environment. It is easily spread through towels, bed linen and other person items — including makeup brushes.


Dela Cruz initially developed several circular rashes around her mouth. The infection soon spread.
Dela Cruz initially developed several circular rashes around her mouth. The infection soon spread.
Louaira/TikTok

The beauty shared an image to TikTok showing what her skin looked like so that her followers could gauge just how severe her infection was.
The beauty shared an image to TikTok showing what her skin looked like so that her followers could gauge just how severe her infection was.
Louaira/TikTok

Ringworm on the skin usually spreads if left untreated, as seen in Dela Cruz’s case.

The follow-up video showed that she had developed numerous additional rashes across the upper half of her face.

The CDC states that ringworm usually disappears in about 2 weeks if antifungal cream, lotion or powder is properly applied.

However, some of Dela Cruz’s followers claimed that they found the infection hard to beat.

“Ringworm is an absolute nightmare to get rid of,” one stated. “Need to be religious with the [application of cream, and change towels daily.”


"Ringworm is an absolute nightmare to get rid of," one follower stated. "Need to be religious with the [application of cream, and change towels daily."
“Ringworm is an absolute nightmare to get rid of,” one follower stated. “Need to be religious with the [application of cream, and change towels daily.”

Dela Cruz has been religiously applying her antifungal creams so that her skin quickly clears up.
Dela Cruz has been religiously applying her antifungal creams so that her skin quickly clears up.
Louaira/TikTok

Fortunately for Dela Cruz, however, her infection looks to be clearing up quite quickly.

On Thursday she shared another video with the caption: “Hopefully the worst of it has passed and now just healing.”

“I feel like we’re in the recovery process,” she excitedly stated — although it’s certain she won’t be sharing her makeup brushes with her pals ever again.


Fortunately for Dela Cruz, her infection looks to be clearing up quite quickly. On Thursday she shared another video with the caption: "Hopefully the worst of it has passed and now just healing."
Fortunately for Dela Cruz, her infection looks to be clearing up quite quickly. On Thursday she shared another video with the caption: “Hopefully the worst of it has passed and now just healing.”

Dela Cruz’s saga comes after a shocking study found unwashed makeup brushes have the same or more bacteria as a toilet seat.

Conducted by cosmetic tools brand Spectrum Collections, researchers swabbed clean and “unclean” makeup brushes at the end of the two-week trial period while also testing various common storage methods: at a bedroom vanity, in a makeup bag, in a brush-specific bag, a drawer and a bathroom holder.

Comparing the results to the swab of a toilet seat, the study found that no matter where the brushes were stored, the number of bacteria was either the same or more than the toilet.