Despite that fact that I’m make-up obsessed, I am definitely not a beauty hoarder. You wouldn’t eat oranges infiltrated with mould, from the fridge, right? (If you would, then please stop reading. This article probably wouldn’t apply to you). If so, you shouldn’t apply expired, old cosmetic products to your face, unless infections, irritation and conjunctivitis really are your thing.
All cosmetic products have a shelf-life or expiry date. This refers to the time period AFTER which the product has been opened. This is because once the seal is broken, bacteria and other nasties from the air, your fingers or brushes will enter the product. From then on, bacteria will replicate, increasing over time.
Some products are more susceptible than others. Liquid products, especially those with a cream or oil emulsions generally go bad faster, as the moisture encourages the bacteria make happy families at an accelerated rate. Eyeshadow, powder blush are dry, and tend to last longer for this reason.
Most products have an ‘expiry’ guildline after the product is opened. It’s shown in the form of a small symbol, resembling a jar with an open lid, and a number, e.g. 6M. The ‘M’ refers to the number of months that the product will be safe to use.
Here is a general guideline for products:
• FACE POWDER, POWDER BLUSH AND EYESHADOW: 24-30 months
These are generally safe to keep longer, as they are dry and inhibit the growth of bacteria.
• CREAM EYESHADOW AND BLUSH: 12-18 months
Often oils/silicones/waxes are incorporated into the product to give a slick feel, hence the shorter shelf-life.
• FOUNDATION AND PRIMER: 12 months.
Avoid sticking your greasy, crumb-laden fingers into the lip of the bottle to grab product. Pour the product onto your palm/foundation brush, or use a cotton bud. If you’ve got the Seriously Lazy Gene like me, only buy a foundation with a pump.
• LIPSTICK: 16-24 months
• LIPLINERS AND EYELINERS: 24 months
Don’t forget to sharpen these regularly, this will remove the surface bacteria and expose fresh product.
• LIQUID AND GEL EYELINER: 12 months
• LIPGLOSS: 12 months
I prefer to buy lipgloss in the squeezy tubes for hygiene reasons. Though the ones with applicators are particularly snazzy looking – hello, Chanel Glossimers, every time you apply the lipgloss from the wand, you also scrape all sorts of stuff off your lips, and straight back into the tube. This could include old lipgloss and ipstick, skin, bread crumbs, cornflakes or dried barbeque sauce. Yum. Not!
• MASCARA: 3-4 months
The ultra-super-dooper important one! Mascara is one cosmetic you simply cannot keep for more than 4 months. It has a moist, dark environment, and simply perfect for germs.
Every time you apply the product, you are also transferring bacteria back into the tube. And since you apply it particularly close to your eyeballs, the likelihood of nasties leaping from the old mascara/mascara brush into your poor eyes is highly likely, leaving you with infections such as conjunctivitis.
Don’t even think about adding water to your dried-out mascara, that’s like feeding the bacteria an a-la-carte banquet. And I’ve heard the excuses before: ‘‘But, my mascara isn’t finished yet! I only use my mascara once a month. I buy expensive mascara! It’s limited edition!’’ If this is the case, try to buy more budget-friendly mascaras or purchase sample/trial size tubes from the more expensive brands.
You only have two eyeballs, and they’re pretty hard to replace.
• MAKEUP BRUSHES: Wash every 1-2 weeks with baby shampoo.
• MAKEUP SPONGES AND FINGERS: Replace weekly, or when sponge or fingers become soiled. Just kidding, this only refers to the sponges.
These are JUST ESTIMATES, read your labels and packaging, and use common sense! If your products look different, smell different or have an altered texture, don’t be afraid to bin it.
Don’t forget to store your products in a clean, dry, and dark environment. Avoid the bathroom at all costs, as steam = moisture and temperate changes.
58 Comments
Wow I never really thought to consider the dates
Useful information.
Thanks!
Hmm, I’ve had my mascara for a year… better get a new one!
good to know
great
great info
useful!
I think everything I own is expired! 🙁
Very handy – I know I have a few things lurking that I should chuck.
Thanks for the info- note to self throw out my mascara stat
Oh!.. Clean up time
I never knew they had expiry dates…
Great tips! You can definitely get some nasty infections from old mascara (or sharing mascara)
……very interesting…
Wow I think I’m going to throw out my foundation now and get a get one.
I thought mascara was good for a year. Oh well.
ah feeling inspired to do a super big make up clean out. interesting about the mascara too..
Thanks!
Hmm great article, and it’s reminded me that I need to go through my make up too….
Looks like im a makeup hoarder too!!
thanks
great thanks
Thanks for the advice!
Useful information 🙂
I’m guilty of keeping expired beauty products
I never check expiration dates 🙁
Thanks for the info!
Great advice, it’s made me realize how I need to chuck some things out
Wow, looks like it’s time to clear out my make up bag!
ack, time to buy new mascara.
i am so badat expiry dates 🙁
I don’t like these rules. I don’t particularly want my eyeballs to fall out, but I probably wear mascara less than once every 3-4 months so it seems like such a waste to just chuck it out.
totally agree, I’m a clean freak and nothing irks me more than old makeup
wouldn’t mind replacing my fingers lol
I never knew mascara had such a short life
thanks for the info!
Using disposable mascara brushes protects your mascara longer
hmmmm <3
Thanks for this, bookmarked to make sure I’m not using products that aren’t at their full potential.
heard this before yet i’ve kept my makeup well over their supossed expirey date and haven’t had a problem yet. Though I do clean the top of my foundation bottle with hand sanitiser (i do the same before on my hands when i use it)
Also worth noting that nail polish expires in 1 year. I’ve had some of mine for about 5 years and still use them. Can’t say I completely follow all the rules..I keep eyeshadows and lipsticks.. Foundations are generally used before exp. But it’s so expensive to be throwing out and replenishing my huge polish or lippie collection!
I’m such a massive hoarder haha but I really should cleanout some of my makeup
very handy to know
Very good article, it’s just hard to let go of items when you can’t find the same colour replacements!
Great tips – but oh how hard is it to throw away old favourites!
Great tips! But I must admit that I am a makeup hoarder…
This makes me embarrassed to admit how old some of my make up is! Time for a cleanout
I’ve always been very careful, I leant from my mother, it really does make such a difference!
I don’t have time for all that cleaning – I just keep buying new brushes!
are there expiry dates on make up products?
Great advice. Thanks! 🙂
Some good tips here, mascara is the only one I come near getting close to the expiry date so I buy a less expensive brand as I don’t use it that often, or sometimes I buy magazines that have sample mascaras!
Wow. Thanks for telling us this. A lot of mine needs to be chucked out!
love it!
i dont like these rules 🙁
I have heard that wiping off your eye shadow, blush etc with a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol on it can also prevent bacteria growth.
wow looks like my makeup bag needs some spring cleaning and splurge!