Is it time to clean out your makeup bag? Over time, cosmetics can collect harmful bacteria or lose their effectiveness. This is why, just like food in the fridge, beauty products have expiration dates.
For your products to work at their peak, you need to make sure they’re at their prime. Every product has a use-by symbol on the back (it’s that little icon that looks like an open lid, with a number in the middle), indicating the number of months the product is considered safe for use after opening. After this date, the product may change in colour, texture or consistency and can be unhealthy to use.
Here, we help you start afresh and clean out your beauty stash! Remember, those staple favourites can be replaced, so if it’s past the use-by date, it’s time to let go!
Expiration dates
Liquid foundation: 12 months – To ensure your foundation lasts the distance, store the product in a cool area, away from direct sunlight. The key thing to remember is that if the product is separating, it doesn’t need a shake – it needs to be thrown out!
Lipstick: 12 – 18 months – If you notice an off smell or taste when using your favourite lipstick or gloss, discard it and invest in a new tube.
Mascara and liquid eyeliner: 3 months – These two products have the shortest shelf lives because of how easily bacteria can settle in. Using mascaras or liquid eyeliners for longer than recommended could lead to eye infections.
Eye shadows: Two years – Powdered eye shadows last much longer than their cream counterparts, which only last around six to 12 months.
Blush and Bronzer: Bronzers and blush should be replaced after six to nine months, even sooner if you notice cracks appearing.
Fake tan: 12 months – After this time, the tanning agents tend to lose effectiveness.
Makeup brushes: Weekly – If you’ve invested in good quality brushes, make sure to clean them each week with with a specialised brush cleaner or an alternative that is gentle, such as baby shampoo. If you’re using a sponge, it should be replaced or cleaned weekly.
Tip: Get into the habit of labelling new makeup with the date you open it. This way you’ll know roughly when the product expires and can prepare yourself in advance.
Tell-tale signs
If you currently have products sitting in your makeup bag and you have no idea how long they’ve been open, there are some tell-tale signs to look out for.
Unusual odour: Smell your products, if they have an unpleasant or unfamiliar odour, they may contain bacteria and should be discarded.
Textural changes: If there are any changes in colour and texture, take this as a sign of instability and replace the product.
They’re dried out: If a cosmetic has dried out, it’s safe to say it’s past its use-by-date. Using a dried-out product could cause irritation or infection.
The product separates: If the ingredients in active products (for example sunscreens) have separated, the product is likely out-of-date.
Extend the life of your products
- If you use your hands to apply your makeup, make sure you wash them first! Or else use an enclosed applicator or cotton tip.
- If you are using a lipstick and have a cold sore, remember to cut the top of it off after using it. Similarly, if you have blemishes, use a cotton bud to apply the cleanser rather than double dipping and spreading the germs.
- Don’t share your cosmetics!
- Thinning out products with water is a big no-no, as this could introduce bacteria into the product.
- Store your products away from direct light and moist environments or anywhere prone to extreme temperatures (so, get that makeup bag out of the bathroom!).
