How to Determine the Shelf-Life of Cosmetics | Jean Madeline

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Jean Madeline

Do you love makeup? Do you find yourself constantly making room for the dozens of eye shadows you’ve accumulated? Before using, be careful—your beloved beauty products may have passed their expiration date! Below are some tips on how to determine whether to replace your favorite cosmetics:

• Foundation & Concealer: Both can last approximately 12 months. Try to use a makeup brush instead of your hands or a sponge. Using your hands spreads bacteria from the day on your face, and the natural oils in your hands will break down the composition of the concealer, rendering it less effective.
• Powder: One of the most long-lasting cosmetics, powder can last up to two years. It can be hard to tell when powder expires, but look out for unexpected breakouts and skin irritation- expired powder causes bacteria growth over time.
• Pencil Eyeliner: Pencil eyeliner can last up to three years! As long as you maintain your eyeliner by sharpening it regularly and make sure to clean your sharpener, you’re safe!
• Eye shadow: Eye shadow usually lasts for about three years. Old eye shadow will crack into pieces and can develop bacteria if kept in the back of your vanity for too long.
• Lipstick: It depends on the type of lipstick – some last only one year, while others last up to four. When in doubt, smell the tube. While it may seem strange, lipstick will smell foul when it has expired. If you want to be proactive, store them in the refrigerator to lengthen their shelf life.
• Mascara: Mascara has the shortest shelf-life, lasting just three to four months. To stretch the life of your mascara and avoid premature drying, avoid taking the wand in and out more than three or four times during application.
• Nail Polish: Nail polish can be tricky. While it doesn’t have an actual expiration date, it can become goopy and messy if it sits too long. Don’t worry about bacteria- your nail polish is safe as long as you keep the bottle tightly closed.

BONUS TIP #1: Write the date you started using your beauty product on the bottom of its packaging, that way you won’t have to memorize it.

BONUS TIP #2: Have a nail polish that’s already goopy? Use a tiny amount of polish thinner (available at most beauty supply stores) and voila! Your old nail polish is as good as new.

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