Hardly anyone keeps close track of their makeup bag, flitting through colors with the seasons and constantly counting on those old faithful formulas. But do you know when your makeup and skincare products expire? Or, perhaps a better question is: did you even know that makeup could expire?
Besides the fact that old makeup doesn’t look great or perform well, it can also be harmful to your skin and cause irritation and infection. Check out this gallery to find out when you really should be tossing your makeup.
Some products have a symbol that informs you of when you should toss them after opening them. For the cases where you don’t see this, read on.
Moisturizers that use natural ingredients in place of artificial preservatives won’t protect themselves from bacterial contamination as well as synthetic alternatives do, and will go bad much sooner.
As a water-based product, the shelf-life is short, but a toner’s added ingredients can help increase its best-by date. Give it a smell, and keep an eye on the color and consistency to avoid skin irritation.
This multitasking facial wash, makeup remover, and moisturizer has one of the shortest expiry dates, as water encourages bacteria growth
Concealers use oils and hydrating agents to give that smooth cover-up, which also means a shorter shelf-life. If it’s looking dry, lumpy, or discolored, throw it out, or it’ll only make skin blemishes worse.
The dry texture makes it harder for bacteria to grow, but you should still use clean makeup tools, wash your hands before use, and occasionally clean the top layer to increase its shelf-life.
The liquid and cream versions of foundations contain more water, oils, and hydrating agents, so they have a shorter shelf-life and an increased risk of bacterial contamination.
A telltale sign of expiration is when the oils rise to the top and the consistency thickens. If your foundation creates a streaky finish, toss it.
Prevent the liquid from separating by keeping it somewhere cool and regularly shaking it. You should also keep your application tools clean and avoid touching the liquid to stop the spread of bacteria.
Most cleansers should last about a year in a cool place, but keep an eye out for lumps, discoloration, and warped packaging.
Bacterial contamination and discoloration is minimized if the blush is never left exposed to air, which means you should definitely throw away powders with broken or missing lids.
Avoid using a greasy concealer before you apply, and make sure your brush is always clean before each use to limit the amount of oil that gets transferred to the powder.
The one at the bottom of your makeup drawer, or the one you found while cleaning your car: they’re chalky and have a distinct odor, and you must sadly throw them out.
Never leave lipstick without a lid, and use a lip brush when you can to prevent extra contact. You can also remove the top layer of bacteria growth on them with makeup wipes to increase their shelf-life. You can keep lipsticks in the fridge, as the cold slows the breakdown of ingredients. Also, try not to apply lipstick right after eating, as this cultivates bacteria.
Sharpen them frequently, keep a firm cap on them, and you can enjoy these wonders for up to a year.
Brow pencils keep for a long time if you sharpen them (removing any bacterial growth on the top layer), and if you keep a lid on them.
Many experts say it’s actually three months with everyday use and six months with occasional use. The short life of mascara is due to the bacteria and germs that are constantly transferred from our eyes to the wand/tube and back.
Stop pumping your mascara! Forcing air into the tube dries out the product and encourages bacterial contamination. Instead, rotate the wand in a circular motion while in the tube. Also, never add water to dry mascara: just toss it!
The cream shadows will only last six months because of the hydrating agents. Powders can last up to two years, but watch out for discoloration, waxy build up, or a strange odor.
Liquid and gel eyeliners gather bacteria faster, and you should definitely throw them out if you’ve had an eye infection, or if they smell or look strange.
Pencil eyeliners, if cared for properly, can last up to two years.
Clean the tip of liquid eyeliners after each use. With the pencil, regularly sanitize your sharpener with cotton and rubbing alcohol, then use that sharpener regularly.
Careful to have clean hands before using lip balm in a pot or jar, or just opt for lip balm tubes, which tend to last longer.
Watch out for changes in texture and thickness, and never, ever pump your lip gloss again.
Fragrances stored away from heat and bright light can last for many years. You’ll probably smell when it goes off, but it may also change color.
After opening, nail polish ingredients can evaporate, causing it to thicken and separate. Look out for changes in color, thickness, and texture.
Brushes can last a long time if you take care of them. Wash them once a month with warm water, mild soap, and a dash of olive oil (to break down the oil in makeup), then rinse thoroughly.
It’s time to throw them out when the bristles start falling out.
