Blog: Shelf life of cosmetics: how long does makeup last?
How long does makeup last?
Do you have a drawer full of makeup at home? You might have had half of it for years. But did you know that makeup has a limited shelf life? And how do you check if yours is still good? Read on!
Is your makeup still good?
No matter how much you love your mascara, lipstick, or foundation, you can't use and store your makeup indefinitely. The quality of the products gradually deteriorates, eventually making them unsafe to use. If you do use makeup that's past its expiration date, it can cause skin problems. You especially need to be careful with eye products: the bacteria and microbes in outdated cosmetics can easily cause infections. You don't want that!
Check the expiration date of cosmetics
Luckily, every makeup product has an expiration date. It's the symbol on the jar with the lid open—you've probably seen it before. Inside the jar is a number followed by the letter "M." The "M" stands for "Month," and the number before it indicates the number of months the product is good for after opening. For example, if it says "12M," you can use the product for 12 months from the moment you open it.
The average shelf life of makeup depends on the product's composition, packaging, and storage. Dry products (such as eyeshadow and blush) last longer than liquid ones. Liquid products contain water, which is a faster breeding ground for bacteria. Therefore, you should carefully monitor the shelf life of foundation, mascara, and liquid lipstick.
Storing makeup: pay attention to the temperature!
Want to enjoy your favorite makeup for as long as possible? Then pay close attention to the temperature at which you store your cosmetics. This also determines their shelf life. Avoid low temperatures (so not in the refrigerator) and don't store your cosmetics in a warm room or in a sunny spot. Ideally, your cosmetics should be kept between 15 and 21 degrees Celsius. This way, the shelf life will remain as indicated on the packaging and your makeup will be comfortable to use.
What is the shelf life of makeup after opening?
- Foundation – 12 months
- Concealer – 12 months
- Powders: face powders, blush, eye shadow – 12 months
- Mascara – 3 to 6 months
- Eyeliner – 36 months
- Eyebrow gel – 24 months
- Liquid lipstick – 12 months
How do you know if a cosmetic product has expired?
Smell it! If the product smells bad or musty, it's best to throw it away. If liquid products start to granulate or clump, or if you use something that causes irritation, redness, or a burning sensation, it's also time to say goodbye and replace the product.
Makeup durability: check it out!
Go through your makeup collection thoroughly and throw out anything you never use or that's very old. Do this every spring and fall to ensure you're not using expired products.
Useful tips to extend the life of your makeup
- Write the opening date on the product in a marker, so you can easily check which makeup needs replacing.
- Close the cap of the product tightly after use.
- Throw away your lipstick if you've had a cold sore.
- If you have had an eye infection, throw away any eye makeup products you used just before or during the infection.
- Use clean makeup brushes and sponges. Skin flakes, makeup residue, and sebum trapped in the bristles of the brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. By using dirty makeup brushes and sponges on your face, you spread these bacteria across your skin. This can cause pimples, blemishes, and skin irritation.
- Buy products that are in airtight containers. A jar can harbor bacteria more quickly. Furthermore, contact with air will cause oxidation, which will quickly diminish the product's effectiveness and spoil it sooner.
- Don't lend your makeup products to others.
- Mascara lasts longer if you remove the wand from the bottle without pumping. Otherwise, air gets in. This causes your mascara to dry out, clump, and not last as long.
- Don't refrigerate your cosmetics. The texture can thicken or separate. This reduces their effectiveness, and in the worst case, renders your product unusable.
- Don't leave your cosmetics in the sun or in a hot car. Makeup loses its shelf life very quickly, and makeup pencils will melt.