Koestline says that for both cream and liquid formulations, you have to look at if the product contains water or not. If anhydrous (does not contain water), then it's good for about three years if used with a lip brush to avoid contamination. If the formula does contain water, it's good for up to a year.
Using expired makeup isn't the best idea. Over time, it can harbor bacteria, lose effectiveness, and potentially cause skin irritation. Your skin deserves the best, so it's better to play it safe and ditch anything past its prime.
Foundation usually lasts for 1-2 years, after that you could break out from using it. Same applies to liquid/cream blushes, highlighters, bronzers, etc. You can minimize bacterial growth by never putting your fingers or double dipping in the product.
Since nearly all foundations except powders have some water, it's best to replace them after 12 to 18 months. Also, as your base ages, the pigments can separate, resulting in uneven coverage.
You may experience breakouts, bacterial infection, fungal infection, or rashes. Expired lipsticks can bring mouth related ailments like cold sores. Never apply expired makeup onto broken skin. A cosmetic expiration date should be clearly displayed somewhere on the packaging, product label or product casing.
When do eyeshadows expire? Luckily, you can hang on to your eyeshadows for a bit longer. The time from opening to when eyeshadows expire is 12 months but if left unopened, you have a full three years to hang onto them. This is because eyeshadow palettes are generally made with powder formulas.
Unopened color cosmetics have a life span of about one-and-a-half to two years because the pigments can't stay suspended beyond that time. ("Natural" formulas could be shorter since they contain fewer preservatives.)
If it's been in a dark, temp controlled/cool space, and does not smell bad, hasn't separated, and isn't dried up, you're golden.
Cream, powder, or liquid foundation has a long shelf life of about two years. For liquid formulas, Koestline says that if it starts to separate is when you need to toss it. Koestline says eyeshadow that contains any water should only be used for a year since you're using it close to the eye area.
Mascara and liquid eyeliner typically are considered safe to use for three months. Liquid products used near the eye have an increased risk of spreading bacteria. Pencil-style eyeliners, gel eyeliners and lip pencils can be used for up to a year.
Almost all products will have a chemical-like smell or a strong unpleasant odor with expired makeup. The texture and consistency of the product may also change depending on the formula; watch out for clumpiness, drying out or separation when applying. Each beauty product may have different signs of expiration.
In the US, TerraCycle is also working with Ulta in their waste-free packaging program Loop. If you still have a lot of product left in the container, you could also consider donating it to a friend. Some women's shelters will also gladly take your unwanted makeup. Plus, you'll be doing someone a solid.
When it comes to body moisturizer, throw away unfinished containers that have been open for more than two years, regardless of their smell or texture.
Whatever it might be, when your makeup begins to take on a form it was not intended to be, it can have an adverse reaction and cause contact dermatitis, or skin inflammation, which may lead to redness, bumps, rashes, blisters and swelling.
Regardless of what store you purchase your favorite products from, all makeup should be stamped with an image of an open jar, then a number followed by the letter "M." This is the "period after opening" (PAO) sign that lets consumers know how many months after opening until the product expires.
So, is it ever okay to continue using products after their expiration date? Proceed at your own risk as doing so can increase your chances of developing skin sensitivities, breakouts, irritation, or even infections. Most experts agree that no cosmetic product should be used after three years from opening.
Because of repeated microbial exposure during use by the consumer and the risk of eye infections, some industry experts recommend replacing mascara 3 months after purchase. If mascara becomes dry, discard it. Do not add water or, even worse, saliva to moisten it, because that will introduce bacteria into the product.
Liquid concealer or foundation should be thrown out after a year. Pencil cosmetics, such as certain eyeliners or lip or brow pencils, should also be disposed of after a year. Lipsticks and lip glosses should be thrown away after one to two years of use.
Foundation and Concealer: 1-2 years. Signs of Expiration: Separation, odd smell, or texture changes. 4. Powder Products (Blush, Bronzer, Eyeshadow): 1-2 years.
Each makeup product has a different expiration date. You might be wondering, 'How long is eyeshadow good for? ' Since eyeshadows are prone to air exposure, the average eyeshadow lasts between six to 12 months. However, keep in mind that different brands will have varying shelf lives.
“Powders don't usually contain any water to support microbial growth or oils that could go rancid,” says cosmetic chemist Alex Padgett. “The majority of powder products are just powder and so they won't really expire.” In fact, Padgett says she still uses a palette from 2014.
Our products have been tested to have at least a 3-year shelf life if unopened and stored at normal room temperature, during which they will retain their integrity and perform as expected. If your product looks and smells the way it normally does, it is good to use.