Here’s a reality check: cosmetics can go bad. That might mean they lose color or the moisture that helps them apply smoothly, but they can also become contaminated and lead to infections, particularly around the eyes.
Do you really need to trash an entire, scarcely used makeup bag if most items look practically untouched? We’ve got advice on how to handle old cosmetics.
Because makeup can harbor bacteria, many products have a fairly brief useful life — especially creams and anything applied to your eyes or lips. We learned how to eke more life out of aging makeup — and which items you should definitely toss immediately.
The expiration clock on cosmetics starts when you first open a product, so unopened items can still be considered good unless you notice texture separation or an off odor. Even unopened items shouldn’t be kept indefinitely; preservatives degrade over time and most unopened cosmetics shouldn’t be stored longer than three years, says Toby Dash, a blogger at Five Star Skin Care.
“To get the most out of your cosmetics, wash your hands before applying, clean your brushes regularly and don’t share products,” Dash advises.
Makeup Comes With an Expiration
Not every cosmetic ages the same. Some will perform well for years, while others start to deteriorate in as little as three months. Use it or lose it?
Look at the back of your makeup container and you might see a tiny jar icon with a slightly open lid and a number followed by an m, like 6m or 3m. Nearby there’s often a circular arrow. That indicates the product is considered safe for 6 months or 3 months after opening. For pencils and smaller items, that info might be printed on the box they came in — so don’t toss the packaging too soon. If you’re very organized, jot the date you opened the product on the container with a permanent marker.
If that’s too much fuss, our straightforward makeup shelf-life rundown will help you maximize what you use every day.
Eyeshadow
Shelf life: 3 to 6 months
How to handle old products: Because eyeshadow is applied near the eye, extra caution is needed. Bacterial growth can cause issues like conjunctivitis. You can shave off the top layer and spritz the remainder with 70 percent alcohol to sanitize it, suggests Felicia Graham of Felicia Graham Beauty in New York. If a pressed eyeshadow is cracked, grind it up and transfer the powder into a small jar to use as a loose shadow — loose formulations typically last longer than pressed ones, which is essentially what eyeshadow is.
Mascara
Shelf life: 3 months
How to handle old products: Ensure the cap is screwed on tightly to minimize air exposure, Graham says; this helps keep mascara from drying out too fast. Still, you should adhere to the short expiration window for mascara since it can easily transmit eye infections. If you notice clumping or an unusual odor, dispose of it at once.
Foundation and Concealer
Shelf life: Liquid foundation lasts about a year
How to handle old products: Add a few drops of a nourishing oil (like vitamin C oil or rosehip oil) to revive slightly dried foundation, Graham recommends. “It will also give you a lovely, dewy finish,” she says. Avoid dipping your fingers into the bottle mouth to prevent introducing bacteria; pump or dispense onto the back of your hand instead. Store foundation away from direct sunlight and humidity (so not in the bathroom) in a cool, dry spot. When buying a replacement, choose a product with a pump — it’s harder to contaminate and helps extend the product’s usable life.
Lipstick / Lip Gloss
Shelf life: 1 year
How to handle old products: Lipstick and gloss can sometimes be kept slightly beyond a year, but if they smell off or the texture changes (becomes dry or clumpy), they’ve gone bad, Graham advises. Keep these items somewhere cool that isn’t your bathroom.
Gel Eyeliner
Shelf life: 2 months
How to handle old products: Gel liners easily trap bacteria, hence their short lifespan. You can refresh them by sanitizing with 70 percent alcohol and mixing in a makeup extender like duraline, a liquid designed to loosen and prolong the product. Diluting it this way makes application smoother, Graham says.
Makeup Pencils
Shelf life: 1 year
How to handle old products: Because you can sharpen pencils to remove contaminated surfaces, they have a relatively long shelf life. Store them in a cool, dry place to prevent premature deterioration.
Powdered Blush
Shelf life: 2 years
How to handle old products: Powder blushes tend to last the longest since they don’t touch your eyes or mouth. Keep them viable even longer by washing your brushes weekly (soap and warm water) so you don’t transfer bacteria or residual makeup back into the pan.
Perfume
Shelf life: 10 years
How to handle old products: If only all our products had perfume’s longevity. You can further preserve a fragrance by keeping it out of sunlight; UV exposure can alter the liquid’s chemistry and change the scent. Store the bottle in a dark, dry place away from the bathroom. Keep the original box when possible, since it’s designed to protect the fragrance. Some debate whether perfumes belong in the fridge, but many experts caution against extreme temperature changes because high-end scents can be sensitive to them.
Danielle Braff is a contributor to Savinly.
