Whether it’s aggressively twirling a mascara wand in an empty tube or applying so much pressure to get the last drop of BB cream out that your fingers hurt – we’re all looking for maximum results from our makeup. It costs money, after all.
However, we put these products into our faces — a part of us that’s not remarkably indifferent. The products you use every day can significantly impact your skin. But how old is too old? Most makeup has a three-year shelf life but no expiration date on the cream or moisturizer. The lifespan of these products is typically one year. That doesn’t mean you should use every type of skincare product or makeup for its entire shelf life.
All cosmetic products, regardless of their active ingredients, will eventually degrade. The reality is that there are real health consequences to holding onto makeup for too long- especially when it comes in contact with our skin. You may not know the bacteria and mold in your makeup, but it could grow more substantially if you’re not careful.
The microbes hidden in your makeup can lead to:
- Skin irritation
- Eye infections and styes
- Acne breakout and pimples
- Rashes and skin infections
If you want to make sure your makeup stays put, each drawer’s product must be carefully considered. Skin experts recommend asking yourself these questions before using any new items:
Six questions to ask yourself.
Is it a liquid?
Liquid makeup is probably the largest offender for unintentionally acting as a petri dish for microbes. It includes liquid eyeliner, mascara, foundation, eye creams and moisturizers. Liquid makeup is more challenging to handle than powder because the way it applies and stores can lead you into trouble. Bacteria and mold thrive in liquids, as they have no container for airflow; it makes them much easier targets for contamination compared with powders which require an even distribution.
The mascara wand is like an eyelash extension tool. It touches your lashes and returns to its container for reuse as you apply the product. The bacteria that live on your eyelashes can now be found in the mascara liquid, where they have been given a safe space to grow and multiply.
Our recommendation: Replace liquid makeup products every three to six months.
Do you apply it around your eyes?
The best way to prevent unwanted attention is by playing it safe with your makeup. It would help if you were especially careful around the eyes.
“It’s a good idea to be cautious when using products like eye shadow because there are specific types of mold that can live even in powdery items.” If you have an eye shadow contaminated with mold, it might be possible for the spores to pass between your eyelids. Throw out any old eye makeup and start fresh with a new set! You don’t want an infection in your eyes, do you?
Our recommendation is to replace eye makeup (even powdered types) every three to six months.
Does it pass the smell test?
The first and foremost thing you should do when deciding whether or not your makeup is still good and fresh would be to sniff it. Makeup products often don’t have a noticeable smell. When they do, the scents are typically more neutral and gentle than bad-smelling chemicals, which can sometimes be found in skincare products.
When you sniff your makeup, and it smells different, weird, or just off, there is a chance that bacteria or mold has grown in the product.
Our recommendation: Immediately toss and replace any makeup that smells weird.
Has the consistency or color changed?
Liquid makeup can change consistency, which indicates that it may be harboring bacteria or mold. If the product goes from having a reasonably smooth liquid texture to something thicker, goopier and more complex, then it’s time for an upgrade. The color of a makeup product may change, which could indicate that something is wrong.
It is vital to monitor the quality of your makeup and skincare products because color changes can indicate oxidation. Oxidation often affects how well the product functions, so if you notice that any foundations or moisturizers become darker than usual, they should get replaced immediately. The color change in your antiaging skincare products may indicate that the active ingredient has lost its effectiveness.
Our recommendation- If you find your liquid makeup has become goopy, toss it. The color changes might indicate that the product is reducing its effectiveness- so be sure to order a new one.
Are your makeup brushes, sponges and blenders clean?
One of the keys to maintaining healthy skin is regularly cleaning your makeup brushes. It helps wash away residual product and oil, which would have otherwise clogged up pores leading to breakouts. Cleaning your makeup brushes can help prevent infections too. Potential microbe growth is not just limited to bacteria and mold! These microscopic organisms can also reside on your makeup tools, so you should be careful when using them.
To avoid spreading infections, we recommend cleaning your brushes and sponges regularly. You should also ensure that they’re not being shared with anyone else.
Here is a list of 5 simple steps for washing your makeup brushes:
- To keep your brush clean, rinse the bristles with warm water. You do not need to wash the handle.
- With a small drop of gentle shampoo in the palm, work up some lather while swishing around your brush.
- Rinse the brush thoroughly with water
- When it’s time to clean your brush, squeeze the water out of it and wipe it on a piece of clean paper towel.
- Please leave it air dry on a paper towel to clean the brush.
Our recommendation: Clean your makeup brushes and sponges every ten days.
Does it have an SPF?
One of the most common skincare products to expire is sunscreen, and you should always check for an expiration date on your bottle before using it. The FDA states that sunscreen without an expiration date expires three years after purchase.
The expiration date on your sunscreen is an important reminder to check the packaging and replace it if necessary. UV rays can damage even rave reviews, so don’t take chances with expired protection.
The thinner the product, like cream or moisturizer with SPF, it’s time for you to make an educated decision about how much coverage and protection from sun exposure is enough. Follow these guidelines to ensure that your moisturizer is safe for use. If it has SPF in the ingredients, don’t apply if expired or otherwise not effective – throw it out and get a new one.
One of the best ways to keep your skin hydrated is with a rich moisturizer. If you don’t plan to use it again, expired products can be stored and used for dry patches.
Throw away any expired sunscreen and consider tossing your old moisturizer with SPF.
When in doubt, throw it out.
If you have doubts, don’t use them.
It’s always best practice to doubt your judgment and instincts when it comes down to something as essential and risky (and sometimes life-threatening) as makeup.
If you’re not sure if your skin makeup has been used longer than six months and can’t quite remember the last time, it may be best to err on caution.
The easiest way to know how old your makeup is and want to track the usage, write it on the lid or tube the first time you use it. You can use this as an easy way to keep track of how long you’ve been using your products so that the next time there’s a question or concern about one; it will be clear which product has been running in circles with no end date.
You should also be informed about replacing products if you have sensitive skin or allergies, as your body’s natural oils can become irritated quickly. You can’t get rid of old unused makeup. But there are a few things you should do to keep your skin healthy and protect it from irritation or infection is; using clean brushes with fresh makeup because dirt can lead to bacteria buildup. Replace anything old, smells weird or expired. Your skin and face will thank you!
