Beauty Products That Go Bad

The Rules on Ditching Makeup- How to Know When Beauty Products Go Bad

Ever wonder how long is too long to keep makeup products? All makeup has a shelf life and it is important to be aware of what it is because not all are the same. For example mascara should be discarded the most often as it is the most easily contaminated of all cosmetics and anything that comes in contact with your eyes should always be clean and as safe as can be.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has something to say about how long it is safe to keep makeup. According to them: “Cosmetic products are generally formulated and tested for a shelf life of 1-3 years under normal storage conditions, depending on a product’s composition, packaging, preservation, and other factors. Consumers should be aware that expiration dates are simply, “rules of thumb,” and that a product’s safety may expire long before the expiration date if the product has not been properly stored. Cosmetics that have been improperly stored, for example exposed to high temperatures or sunlight or opened and examined by consumers prior to final sale may deteriorate substantially before the expiration date. On the other hand, products stored under ideal conditions may be acceptable long after the expiration date has been reached.”

As a guideline to how long you should keep your makeup products, a water-based foundation will last for up to one year and an oil-based one for a year and a half. If you find that your water-based foundation dries out before it is all gone (or has expired) all you need to do to revive it is to add a few drops of alcohol-free toner and then shake it a little to rid it of any lumps. Oil-based foundation on the other hand is likely to separate as opposed to dry out, so you will need to give it a shake sometimes to refresh the consistency.

Concealer (or cover stick) can be kept up to a year and face powder (pressed and translucent although translucent usually stays fresh longer) up to two years. Blush can be kept up to six months and cream and gel cleansers, a year.

Eye liners can last up to a period of three years time and should be sharpened on a regular basis for a smooth application and finish and to guarantee that no bacteria has had time to settle and take up residence on it. Eyeshadow can last up to three years as well, whereas mascara is the product that must be disposed of most readily. Get rid of your mascara after three or four months (regardless of whether the tube is finished or not). Mascara is the most likely to harbor bacteria which can make it bad news! And contrary to popular belief, there is no need to pump the mascara wand in and out before applying it, instead simply twist it slowly in a circle in the tube before opening it up to use.

Lip liner can last up to three years but there is a mixed opinion about lipstick. Some cosmetic experts say lipsticks are good for a year or two while others say they are good for a period of up to three to four years. You will know that a lipstick has gone bad when it smells funny. If it does then don’t use it on your lips whatever you do, toss it out. In order to preserve the longevity of your lipstick, keep it in the refrigerator.

Nail polish can be a tricky one. If stored properly it can last up to two years (if you store it in the refrigerator it will last even longer). In some cases nail polish will only last one year. If you notice that the bottle of nail polish has separated, then shake it up a bit. If the colors and oils don’t meld back together and it smells odd then it is old and it is time to get rid of it.

There are other things to bear in mind about the ditching of makeup products. Learn to use your own discretion when it comes to deciding if a product is safe to use or if it should be thrown out. Some products might be safe to use past the expiration date but this is not recommended. It is very easy for contaminants and bacteria to innocently find their way into makeup products (in particular eye makeup) no matter how hygienic you attempt to be. Always wash your makeup brushes every two to three months in warm soapy water, mild detergent or baby shampoo. Sponges should be washed every ten to fourteen days and then rinsed with cool water. Sponges should not be kept anymore than a month or two.

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