It is a tough call to throw away your favorite lipstick, blush, or mascara. But using makeup past its expiration date is not something you want to try. Why? Because you risk irritation, infection, and breakouts. Remember, cosmetics trap bacteria, so it is necessary to replace them regularly. How long does makeup last? When to throw them away?
We have the answer for you. While it is tempting to use every drop of the expensive skin care product you bought years ago, we do not recommend it. Remember, makeup does have an expiration date. And its lifespan is shorter than you think.
Now, the exact time it takes for your makeup to expire depends on the specific cosmetic, brand, how it is stored, and whether it is sealed or not. Eventually, each makeup product will expire. Usually, that happens within 2 years of purchase.
How Long Does Makeup Last Unopened?
Here is a thing to remember. The makeup expiration dates you see on the packaging are a guideline for after the product has been opened. It is hard to find the exact date when it was sealed.
Generally, if stored in a cool and dry place, most unopened and sealed makeup products should last for 2 to 3 years.
But here is the secret. Creamier products contain oil or butters can turn earlier because oil can go rancid.
So, do unopened skin care products expire? Yes, they have a shelf life, but once it is open, it has the potential to be exposed to bacteria.
Is The Expiration Date A Suggestion?
You will notice a Period After Opening symbol, or PAO symbol printed on the makeup. It is an open jar with a number and an M. It indicates how many months you have between the day you open it, and the day it expires.
It is the makeup’s shelf life. You may be fine using it a day or a week after its expiration, but nothing longer. Products like lip liner and eyeliner pencils may last longer because they can be sharpened.
What Happens To The Makeup After Its Expiration Date?
Now you might be wondering, why shouldn’t you use your makeup after its expiration? Well, what happens to the makeup is it becomes dry and crumbly. So, from a practical standpoint, it makes no sense to use it. Some might tell you to use saliva or water to moisten it, but that is an entry point for bacteria.
Using expired makeup products can risk skin irritation and eye infection.
Also, color pigments may not look as vibrant. Powders seem packed down. They are hard to use, so why try them?
It is important not to use it past its expiration date, as it can be harmful to your delicate skin area.
How Can You Tell It Is Expired?
So, how long does makeup last? How to tell it is expired? Well, besides the obvious looking at the PAO symbol, there are clear signs you can look for.
If it doesn’t have a Period After Opening symbol, it may have been on the original package, but it has been discarded. So, here are some tips to know if it expired:
- Smell the makeup, if anything smells off, throw it away
- Look if the color has changed. For example, concealer products can oxidize and turn a bit orange
- Pay attention to the texture. If it has changed, throw away the product
- Do a patch test. See how the product feels on your skin. If it is different, throw it away
Makeup Products To Pay Attention To
Now let’s talk about some makeup products and their specific expiration date.
Mascara
Now, this is the makeup product you have to pay special attention to. Because we take out the brush, apply it, and then put it back in the tube, it can collect bacteria along the way.
And lingering bacteria can cause itchiness and redness. Sometimes, even conjunctivitis. You should throw away the mascara the moment you notice a distinct gasoline-like smell. It is a sign it has gone bad. Or you develop any negative symptoms after usage.
Generally speaking, mascara lasts between 3 and 6 months after opening up.
Liquid Eyeliner
The same thing we said about mascara, applies to liquid eyeliner as well. Germs are your biggest enemy in the delicate eye area. Do not risk it with this beauty product.
The makeup product has a similar shelf life to mascara, from 3 to 6 months.
Foundation
Most foundation products are water-based. This means bacteria love them. Now, there are powder formulas.
Here is the general rule. Powder products can last between 12 and 18 months. Yet, a water formula is something different. If you have a water formula foundation, replace it after 6 to 12 months.
Also, always keep the foundation out of moist environments and away from heat. Both environments can encourage the growth of the bugs and speed up the spoiling.
If you notice an off smell or change in color, it means the formula is finished.
Concealer
The purpose of a concealer is to cover blemishes, not cause them. The latter can happen if you use it after its expiration date. You will know it has gone bad because the color will start to shift.
And here is another trick. The closer to the liquid form your concealer is, the sooner you will have to throw it away. Same as foundation, powder formulas last longer, up to two years. Liquid concealer should be replaced after one year.
Face Powder
These are the energizer bunny of the makeup world. Face powders keep going and going, for almost two years.
The only risk is that some of them contain small amounts of water from botanical extracts. Look at the label, most botanicals are written in Latin. They are commonly listed in parentheses.
Blush
You should replace this makeup product after one year. If you want to prolong its life, clean it regularly and store it in a dark, dry place. This will prevent bacterial growth.
If you are applying blush over products like face cream and foundation, be careful. Moisture can come in the form of residue from these products.
Eye Shadow
Eye shadow is another beauty product we apply in the eye-sensitive area. We do not want eye-irritating products, right?
To prevent your eyes from getting red or itchy, make sure to replace eye shadow every 6 to 9 months. Yes, these products are similar in foundation to other powder products. But they are constantly in contact with a mucous membrane. That presents a higher risk of transferring bacteria to the product and then back to the eye.
Nail Polish
It is unlikely for nail polish to go bad because of microbial contamination. Yet, even lacquer will dry out and become thick and clumpy. At this point, there is no use for it. Yes, it is not bad, but why use something that is not useful?
Lipstick And Lip Gloss
Your lip products last a bit longer than other makeup products. For example, your favorite lipstick can go anywhere between 18 and 24 months. And the lip gloss has a PAO date of 12 to 18 months.
Natural Makeup And Skincare
Here is something not many in the beauty world will tell you. Yes, natural makeup products and natural skin care products are amazing. But they have a shorter lifespan. They are formulated without preservatives, and that gives them a shorter period before expiration.
Be careful. Always try to use your natural products as fast as possible.
