How Do I Know When to Throw Makeup Away Because it's Too Old?
By Matt Geer
In many ways, makeup can be thought of like food in terms of how to determine when a beauty product is ready to be tossed away. Many products have fatty ingredients that can inhabit bacteria and go sour in as few as a couple months. It is also possible for expired beauty products to change color and develop a sour smell.
Beauty Products Expiration Dates
Aside from an expiration date, these are the best physical signs that your make up is ready to be tossed in the trash. Listed below are some guidelines to follow in case there is no expiration date or obvious reason.
- Powders and Concealers: Most of these products do not contain any water so they can last a couple years.
- Cleaners and Moisturizers: 6 months
- Multiple Sticks or 3 in 1 Products: Due to the variety of uses that these products have, it is best to throw them away after 6 months. These products come in contact with your eyes and mouth and can pass germs back and forth.
Pencils: These can last several years granted they do not get wet. It is also a good idea to sharpen the pencil before each use. - Mascara: 6 months
- Foundation: This can last up to a year provided you do not put your fingers in it. Your fingers will carry germs from other parts of your body to your foundation and then you will apply it to your face.
It is very important to stick to these guidelines as you can make yourself very sick using old makeup. Whenever you use something on your face whether it is your eyes, mouth, or cheeks you are transferring many germs and oils. Many products today are ideal candidates for germs to just manifest. If you use old makeup it is very possible to get infections such as pink eye or unsightly skin blemishes. Although some of these products are expensive and you would hate to throw them out, you are much better off doing so then possibly paying for a medical expense.