How do you know when it’s time to throw away your cosmetics?

“Do not leave your loved ones” is a phrase taken from a famous poem that turns out to apply not only to people, but also to cosmetics. Many people cannot give up their favorite eye shadow, lipstick or cream for years. But expired cosmetics not only lose their properties, but also increase the likelihood of an allergic reaction, acne or irritation. That’s why the numbers on the packaging are something you need to watch particularly carefully. We tell you what the shelf life of skin care and decorative cosmetics is.

skin care cosmetics

Shelf life: look at the packaging

Any cream, serum or mask has two expiration dates – before and after opening.

— Expiration date after opening It can often be found both on the packaging and on the product itself. It is depicted as the symbol of a jar with an open lid and a number (the number of the month). For example 6M, 12M or 18M. The number in front of the letter M indicates how many months the product can be used after opening.

— Shelf life before opening It is usually shown after the words “Expiration date…”, “Expiration date…” or EXP (abbreviation for expiration date).

In other words, the actual shelf life of the product should be counted from the moment it is opened, not from the date of production. Time passes faster than you think, so the best way to avoid missing the expiration date is to get into the habit of recording the date you start using the product (the easiest way to do this is to write it down).

concealer

Shelf life: 6-12 months after opening

The most suitable environment for bacteria to grow is a liquid environment. And the foundations are most often created on a water basis, so they cannot be stored forever. Before opening the packaging, the foundation can be used for about two years, but once opened, the shelf life is halved (or even tripled).

Another indicator that it is time to retire the foundation is that the oil rises to the surface and separates from the rest, or the consistency becomes less dense than before.

Solid powder, blush and shadows

Shelf life: 1-2 years

Compressed dry products are really long lasting. But even at some point it comes time to abandon their duties. It is believed that the shelf life of such products can be up to two years after opening. However, it often decreases due to improper storage or use. The main enemy of compact powder or blush is fat particles secreted by the sebaceous glands and the residues of cosmetics previously applied to the skin. Therefore, to extend its lifespan, do not apply the product immediately after foundation, allow it to be absorbed. By the way, if you rarely wash the brushes with which you apply cosmetics, their shelf life will automatically shorten.

It is quite difficult to detect whether blush, powder and shadows are spoiled. However, if you see that its top layer has slightly changed color (darkened) or become smoother or oilier, this is a sure sign that the product needs to be replaced.

Cream blush or highlighter

Shelf life: 6 months

Cream textures have a shorter shelf life than their crumbly counterparts. Moreover, the lifespan of products that you regularly interact with with your fingers becomes shorter. Bacteria accumulate there faster, so such products need to be changed at least every six months.

Mascara

Shelf life: 3-6 months

Eyes are one of the most sensitive areas, so you need to monitor the shelf life of mascara especially carefully. If you use the product every day, it should be thrown away after three months. If your mascara is not your daily companion, you can keep the product for six months. A dark, moist environment is a haven for bacteria, so don’t hesitate to throw your mascara in the trash if you think something is wrong. By the way, eyeliner belongs to the same category, so you should not keep it for more than six months.

Lip and eye pencils

Shelf life: 1-2 years

Eye and lip pencils have a solid texture so they last longer than any cream or liquid product. Shelf life after use usually ranges from 18 to 24 months. These numbers are written on the small, open jar that we mentioned at the beginning of this topic, so pay attention to them.

Lipstick

Shelf life: 1-2 years

Turns out lip products don’t last forever. You can find out the expiration date of lipstick, gloss and tint by examining their packaging. It usually indicates the number of months it can provide service after it is put into use. So trust them.

A few more life tips

We have previously told you which expiration dates you should pay attention to on cosmetics. But there are other, less obvious signs that the product is no longer suitable for use. You should throw away cosmetics, despite all the rules, in the following cases:

– changed the smell. The first sign of an expired product is this. Therefore, if you notice that the cream starts to smell different than before, you need to be careful;

– changed color. Over time, cosmetics oxidize and change their original color. If it has changed substantially, it is time for the agent to relinquish his position;

— changed the texture. If the product thickens, becomes too liquid, separates into layers, or has sediment, it should be discarded;

— after application the skin turns red and a reaction occurs that was not there before. This could be another sign that the product has gone bad.