Has Your Make-up Expired?

September 19, 2008

Do you have 50 different shade of eye shadow? How many of those do you use? Most of us only use a fraction of our makeup. We all make impulse purchases which often end up sitting in the bottom of our makeup bag.

Every manufacturer has their own expiration or shelf life for their product, here are some general guidelines on how long your makeup is good for. You will want to get of old or expired makeup because it can cause skin irritations including breakouts. This is never flattering, so it's best to say goodbye to these products before you are welcoming unwanted flare-ups in your skin.

Liquid or Cream Foundation - 3-6 months

Concealer Powder, eye-shadows, blush: 1 year

Mascara: 3 months
Lip gloss & Lipstick: 1 year

Eye/Lip Pencils: 1 year

Eye and lip pencils: 1 year or more

Facial Cleansers & Moisturizers: 6 months

Facial Toners: 1 year

Natural Cosmetics: 6 months

Cosmetic Sponges: Wash after every use and dispose after they begin to tear

Brushes: Synthetic brushes should be washed once a week, natural brushes once a month

Keep in mind, these are just guidelines. The product can become ineffective or harmful long before this, as there are no FDA regulations on makeup expiration dates. The minute you open a product the life and effectiveness of the product decreases and bacteria grows. If your product changes in color, texture, or smell discard it immediately. The more air that is exposed, the easier it is for bacteria to grow. This is why mascara has the shortest shelf life. Never pump your mascara as it pumps air into the bottle. Products that are all-natural or preservative free will also be more susceptible to bacterial growth.

The good news is that there are a few steps you can do to help prolong the life of your makeup.

1. Keep your makeup in a cool dry area and close containers tightly.

2. Apply your makeup with clean hands

3. Use a disposable applicator or poor the makeup into your hands

4. Never share your makeup or makeup brushes with friends

posted by: Milena Joy