It's Time to Toss Your Expired Makeup

Everyone knows food has expirations dates, and you would never eat something that went bad a few months ago- so would you put it on your face? Unfortunately, a lot of people who wear makeup don’t even realize their makeup has expired, let alone that makeup even expires. 

But do these expiration dates really matter? It can be very tempting to hold on that tried-and-true mascara you've had for years, but the risks really outweigh the rewards. 

Even if you take safety out of the equation, the quality of the products deteriorate over time and lose so much quality—so they won’t even perform like they once did. You are also risking an intense skin breakout when using expired products. They can harbor bacteria which can also lead to pink eye and cause swelling. Remember, it is best to see a dermatologist immediately if you experience any kind of irritation on the face—the product may just not be right for your skin. 

It is recommended you replace your mascara every three months, eyeliner and eyeshadow every six months and lipstick every 18 months. Foundation, concealer, and other facial makeup usually expire after a year as well. 

It’s easy to find the warning signs that your makeup is about to expire. If the product starts to dry out, it is time to replace it. When it comes to foundation, watch for separation in the container. For lipstick and gloss, watch for color, tone, or smell change. To help your makeup last longer, avoid keeping it in your bathroom, as steamy, hot showers can reduce shelf life.

Even if your products are freshly opened, they can be contaminated very easily by the brushes and sponges you are using on your face. So it is important to make sure that your brushes are being cleaned regularly (once a week) to reduce bacteria spread into your products. 

Here's a little trick for the next time you buy makeup. Products use-by-date refer to the first day you use them, not the purchase date. So next time you purchase makeup, look at the bottom and you will see a small symbol that looks like a jar with a number or letter inside of it, Ex: 3M. This means that this product has three months of shelf life once it is opened. 

The world isn’t going to end if you continue to use makeup that may be expired, but it is important to care for our skin the best way we can, and you may see an improvement with your skin once you go through and clear out your older products.