If you’re like most people, the bathroom clutter cup runneth over. And as a card-carrying beauty maven, that clutter likely includes lots (and lots) of makeup — most of which are likely beyond their shelf life.
Have you ever reached for your favorite tube of lipstick and when you opened it, it smelled all kinds of gross? That’s the first clue it’s time to put that product out of its misery. Just like milk, makeup has an expiration date, although it’s much longer than your average dairy product.
“You should throw away your makeup if it expires, but if you use it a little bit past its expiration, you may be fine health-wise but notice it doesn’t perform to its best.”
Healthline.com
Some cosmetic products, and even non-cosmetics, use a Period After Opening (PAO) symbol on the package or somewhere on the product itself. The PAO is a printed icon, like a 12M or 18M, to show how many months you have between the day you open the product and the day it expires. This is your makeup’s shelf life. The expiration clock starts ticking as soon as it’s opened.
And without knowing it, you may even speed up your products’ shelf life by keeping it in the worst possible place — your bathroom. Heat and humidity are like kryptonite to your superhero beauty stash, and if you live in the South, they might do a nose-dive even sooner. I purchased the QUBI Mini Fridge to help my products last their full shelf life, and so far, so good.
According to Healthline, unopened cosmetics are safe for two to three years when stored properly. They advise us to throw away all products — opened or not — after three years. An exception to the rule is organic, vegan and natural cosmetic products that lack preservatives and will expire even quicker.
Despite how long cosmetics are supposed to last, remember, if a product has a hint of discoloration, a strange odor or has changed consistencies, throw it away. Without getting into the nitty-gritty of the science behind those changes, let’s just say you don’t want it on your body.
A Guide for When to Toss Your Makeup
Note: It’s important not to use any eye makeup past its expiration date.
Blush
Typically, you’re using a brush to apply powder blushes. This helps it last for up to 24 months, provided you’re keeping the brushes clean. You should throw creamy blushes out after a year since you are most likely using your finger for application.
Concealer
Concealer is every beauty maven’s No. 1 product because it helps camouflage uneven skin tones and blemishes. But if your concealer has expired, it can do the opposite and cause all kinds of breakouts. Liquid-y concealers expire quicker — within 12 months – than their powder and stick counterparts, which can last up to two years. But after that, it’s time to toss it.
Eyeliner
Just like mascara, eyeliners are used near your eyes, so it’s a breeding ground for scary eye irritations. Don’t keep it around longer than three months. Pencil versions last longer since sharpening gets rid of the gunk that causes bacteria to grow, but they should still be tossed out after three months, too.
Eye Shadow
Be mindful when you buy a color palette that comes with 36 amazing shades. Powder shadows have a shelf life of roughly six to nine months since they’re in constant contact with your eyes. The shelf life of your creamy shadows is less. However, you can extend it by washing your hands before applying it to your eyes.
Liquid Foundation
Since this type of liquid makeup is water-based, bacteria flock to it, which means using it past its prime can cause major breakouts. A telltale sign that your foundation has expired is when the liquid begins to “separate,” meaning the color is no longer evenly dispersed. Most liquid products should last anywhere from 12 to 18 months.
Lip Gloss
Lip glosses have a relatively shorter shelf life than lipsticks — 12 to 18 months. After a year, there’s a much bigger chance of bacteria developing even though they usually aren’t water-based products.
Lipstick
The good news about lipsticks is they stay in relatively good shape for about 18 to 24 months — which, as you can see, is like an eternity in the makeup world. But if you use it while you’re sick (because that won’t stop you from looking your best, of course), you’ll need to ditch it.
Mascara
Mascara has a shorter shelf life than most other beauty products, and because you use it on your oh-so-easy-to-irritate eyes, it’s super important to throw it away in due time. Why? Because bacteria can easily transfer between your eyes and the tube. So after three to six months, toss it and pick up a new one. Or, if it gets clumpy and stiff sooner than that, throw it away.
Nail Polish
As the Golden Child of makeup, unlike your other cosmetics, bacteria can’t grow inside nail polish, which means it is safe to use for much longer. Keep enjoying your favorite shade until it gets thick or separates to where it doesn’t mix back up when you shake it. If it becomes gooey, try adding a drop or two of Seche Restore, which can keep your favorite shade in rotation a little while longer.
Perfume
With the longest shelf life of any beauty product, fragrances and perfumes go the extra mile, staying fragrant for as long as five years.
Powder Makeup
Like blush, powder products, including highlighters and contouring makeup, are more resilient than some other cosmetics and will typically last anywhere from 18 to 24 months. To maximize their longevity to the fullest, keep your makeup brushes clean. I use an electric brush cleaner that’s seriously like a day at the spa for my makeup brushes.
Skin Care Products
Unlike cosmetics, skin care products almost always have an expiration date marked somewhere on them. Healthline says, “Anything in a jar or that comes with a dropper, like a serum, is frequently exposed to air and bacteria on hands and should be thrown away after about 9 months.” Skincare products that have a pump can last for up to a year. If you’re using a skin care product less frequently, consider storing it in mini travel bottles.
Sunscreen
Although experts recommend using sunscreen before the expiration date, the FDA requires that all sunscreens remain at their full strength for three years. To keep sunscreen at optimal performance during that time, store it in a cool, dark place.
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