We often talk about drug expiration dates, but what about all those expired cosmetics that are sitting in your makeup kit right now? They need to be thrown out, too! Your next spring cleaning session would be a great time to sort out and refresh all of your beauty products. Here's a practical guide to help you figure out what you can keep and what you should throw away.
Did you know? According to a U.S. study conducted in 2015, nearly 89% of women admitted to holding on to old beauty products "just in case" and fewer than one in five women discard their mascara after the recommended three months of use. And yet, more than 80% of women know that their makeup products have an expiration date. Apparently, many of us need to be more careful!
Hanging onto expired cosmetics can be harmful for your skin, exposing it to more germs and bacteria and increasing your risk of skin irritation and eye infections. In other words, using expired beauty products may give you exactly the opposite of what you're looking for! That's why it's important to throw away cosmetics that have outlived their shelf lives.
Knowing the average shelf life of each type of cosmetic will give you a better idea of the product's condition and help you determine if it's still good. Here's a summary of the average lifespan of the products in your makeup kit. Be sure to check these items regularly and don't hesitate to replace them if necessary.
Liquid foundation has a maximum shelf life of approximately nine months. Powder foundations, on the other hand, can last two to three years, because their low water content makes it more difficult for bacteria to grow. That said, powder foundations should be replaced before they expire if they are cracked, dried out, or become more difficult to apply.
Can't remember how long you've been using the same foundation? That probably means it's time to replace it. Do you suffer from acne? If so, it's best to replace your foundation every six months.
Replace mascara every three months. In fact, this is one of the products in your makeup bag that should be replaced most frequently. If used for too long, mascara can cause eye infections, so keep an eye on it (no pun intended)! In other words, you need to toss that tube of waterproof mascara you wore to the beach two summers ago!
Of course, if the smell or appearance of your mascara ever changes, it's best to replace it immediately, even if the three-month limit hasn't been reached yet.
Lipstick lifespans vary depending on their type, but they usually last about two years. After that, the water in lipstick becomes a veritable petri dish. In contrast, lip gloss tends to last about a year. The liquid format causes bacteria to grow more easily than lipstick, thus increasing the risk of contamination.
Do you enjoy creating new shades by layering multiple lipsticks? Be sure to spritz a little makeup sanitizer to keep germs at bay.
Liquid liner should be replaced every three months for the same reasons as mascara. As for lip, eye, and brow pencils, they have a shelf life quite similar to that of lipstick—about two years. You can help them last as long as possible by sharpening them often and cleaning your sharpener regularly.
If you're still using last year's liquid liner to create cat eyes, treat yourself to a new one as soon as possible.
Again, the lifespan of your blush will depend on the type you use. Powder blush generally has the same shelf life as powder foundation, i.e., two to three years. However, cream blush should be replaced much more frequently—every six months or so.
Are you wearing a different shade of cream blush to achieve a more summery complexion? Don't forget to throw out the shade you used last winter! Do the same thing every six months.
|
Product |
Expiry date |
|
Mascara |
About 3 months |
|
Liquid liners |
About 3 months |
|
Day and night creams |
Between 6 and 9 months |
|
Makeup removers |
Between 6 and 9 months |
|
Exfoliating products |
Between 6 and 9 months |
|
Face masks |
Between 6 and 9 months |
|
Foundation (liquid) |
About 9 months |
|
Body creams and lotions |
About 12 months |
|
Lipstick (stick format) |
About 24 months |
|
Blush (powder) |
Between 24 and 36 months |
|
Eyeshadow (powder) |
Between 24 and 36 months |
|
Pencils (lips, eyes, and eyebrows) |
Between 24 and 36 months |
All products with a sun protection factor (SPF) have an expiration date, which is indicated on the packaging.
Other cosmetic products have a pictogram of an open jar and a number followed by the letter "M" ("month”) on them. This symbol tells you how long you can keep your beauty products for. For example, "6M" indicates that the product can be stored for approximately six months after opening.
While these useful indicators can give you a good idea of how long your cosmetics should last, they're mainly just guidelines. In fact, storing products incorrectly may shorten their shelf lives, so checking the package is not enough. You should also pay attention to the following:
To help keep track of your makeup, consider writing the date you started using the product on the package. That way, you'll always know when you opened it and it will be easier to estimate its expiration date.
In addition to cosmetics, your makeup bag probably contains used sponges, brushes, and other accessories. Obviously, worn-out accessories should be thrown away along with any expired beauty products. Other accessories may still be usable, but should be cleaned on a regular basis to ensure they remain effective and help prevent infection. Therefore, it's important to establish (and maintain) a cleaning routine for your beauty tools.
Remember that the more frequently you wash your makeup tools and accessories, the less time it takes to maintain them!
No matter what type of makeup brushes you use, be sure to clean them thoroughly with soap and water, and disinfect them with an alcohol-based spray after each use.
A weekly deep clean is also recommended. Check out this quick and easy procedure:
Proper care of makeup sponges helps prevent the spread of bacteria, mould, mildew, and pimples.
For flawless results, try the following procedure:
Tweezers also require frequent maintenance to stop the growth of bacteria. Remember to disinfect your tweezers before and after each use.
Have you thrown away all your expired beauty products? Excellent! The last step when it comes to reorganizing your makeup bag is taking inventory of your beauty products and determine which ones you're missing. Keep these essentials in mind!
There are four main types of daily-use foundation. Choose the one that suits your needs.
Before buying new mascara, ask yourself what effect you'd like to achieve. Doing so will help you identify the best product for your beauty arsenal.
Do you prefer a mascara that . . .
Once you've identified your goal, it's time to choose a colour. Are you going for classic black or something more colourful? You can always ask one of our cosmetics specialists to help guide you.
Choose an eyeshadow based on your skin tone and eye colour as well as the texture you're after.
Choose eyeliners carefully before adding them to your beauty supplies. Consider your options:
When it comes to getting rid of hair between and around your eyebrows, this is a must-have tool. Again, there are several types:
Ask our in-store cosmetics specialists for advice on the best products to include in your makeup kit.
You may change the store at any time.
