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.
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.
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.
If bacteria get into an open container or onto a brush, they can multiply rapidly and cause breakouts or other infections. Mold is another common issue with old cosmetics because moisture builds up inside containers over time, leading to mold growth. This mold growth can trigger breakouts or other irritations.
You should replace eye makeup products such as eyeliner and mascara within six months to 1 year of duration. Whereas you can use foundation, blush, powder, and lipsticks up to 1-2 years after it's opened. The best way to test if your makeup has expired is to notice a weird smell or change in texture.
Risks of using expired makeup
Skin irritation: Expired makeup may contain rancid ingredients that can trigger skin redness or irritation. Breakouts: Bacteria that contaminate makeup, especially water-based products, can swiftly multiply, contributing to skin breakouts and acne.
In general, to maintain a clear and attractive complexion you should discard old makeup. It can harbor germs, degrade, and become rancid. Only the most powerful preservatives might inhibit microbes.
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.
In general, it's best to toss anything that has significantly changed in color, odor or consistency, says cosmetic chemist Ron Robison.
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.
Over time, bacteria and mold often contaminate makeup. These germs can cause an eye infection or a common skin infection like impetigo or folliculitis. Instead of having the desired effect, old makeup may irritate your skin.
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.)
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. Therefore, they don't harbor as much bacteria as other, liquid makeup products.
Textural changes you'll see in expired makeup
Expired makeup looks different depending on the type of product. You'll know a liquid foundation has reached the end of its life if it has oxidized (meaning the color has changed).
Many cosmetic products contain harsh ingredients that can compromise your natural protective barrier, allowing pathogens to enter your skin. And regular makeup wear, especially without proper cleansing, may result in side effects that impact your skin's overall health.
Shampoo and conditioner can both expire, and when they do, you should avoid using them. Expired shampoo and conditioner can be harmful to your health, and they also may no longer be effective. Once open, most shampoo and conditioner lasts between six months and a year, but unopened bottles can last longer.
Immediately dispose of it if you develop conjunctivitis (pink eye), a stye or other eye infection, so that you don't re-infect your eye or spread the infection from one eye to another. Liquid concealer or foundation should be thrown out after a year.
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. For example, expired mascara will start to dry out and the formula won't apply properly.
“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.
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.
Liquid Foundation: after 6 months to 1 year. Cream Makeup: after 6 months to 1 year. Lipstick: after 1 year. Powder Makeup: after 2 years.
Expired makeup will have a rancid, sometimes chemical smell that signals the breakdown of the chemical integrity of the product. Lipstick and mascara are especially vulnerable to deterioration as they are where bacteria is most likely to accumulate.
What's the risk of using expired or contaminated makeup? Older makeup products are more likely to trigger skin irritation or acne-like breakouts. They can also contain bacteria and oils that can clog pores, encourage acne, or lead to infection.
The preservatives in makeup break down over time, making it easier for bacteria to grow. Once the dermatologically approved formula of makeup changes, that poses serious risks for allergic reactions and severe eye infections from makeup.