- As soon as makeup and skincare products are opened, they begin to expire due to natural oxidation and the introduction of bacteria.
- Expired makeup and skincare products can cause skin irritation, dryness, allergic reactions, rashes, breakouts, and even serious infections.
- 3 ways to tell if makeup has gone bad are: seeing if the product smells bad or not, looking for changes in color or texture, and checking the packaging for an expiration date.
- Most experts suggest tossing out any (opened) makeup products that haven’t been used in the last 3-6 months. Individual shelf lives vary and depend on the given products, though.
- Contrary to popular belief, old/expired makeup cannot be cleaned back to a truly healthy, sanitized state. Once it’s expired, just throw it away.
- Generally speaking, most opened skincare products last for approx. 10-12 months. If unopened and stored correctly, many can last as long as up to 2 years. Again, though, individual shelf lives vary and depend on the given products.
- You can typically find the expiry date (a.k.a. the “best by” or “use by” date) for makeup and skincare products on the packaging itself – typically either on the bottom, side, or back of the product.
- Tips for helping your makeup and skincare products last include: keeping them away from heat + direct sunlight, storing them in a cool + dry place, cleaning brushes and beauty blenders regularly with soap and warm water, refraining from sharing/swapping products with other people, and throwing away expired products immediately.
- QC Makeup Academy has helped 8,000+ students and grads launch successful careers in the makeup and beauty industry.
- You can become a trained/certified Master International Makeup Professional™ (MIMP™) in as little as 2 months by completing QC Makeup Academy’s self-paced, online Master Makeup Artistry Course.
- You can become a trained/certified International Skincare Consulting Professional™ (ISCP™) in as little as 2 months by completing QC Makeup Academy’s self-paced, online Skincare Course.
Introduction
It’s a brand new year – so now is the perfect time to sort through all of your makeup and skincare products, and get rid of anything that’s old or expired! After all, there are definite expiration dates that you should be aware of… And not paying attention to them can have damaging effects on your skin.
In this article, we’ll reveal when to throw away your makeup and skincare products. This way, you can keep your skin its healthiest!
So, let’s find out when to throw away old makeup and skincare products!
Makeup
What Happens To Makeup As It Gets Old?
Makeup products don’t last forever. In fact, as soon as you open them, they begin to expire. This is due to natural oxidation and the growth of bacteria. And when makeup gets old, it can cause irritation, breakouts, and other unwanted reactions on your skin.
Pro Tip: Here are 6 reasons why your makeup products are likely bathing in bacteria – and what to do about it!
How to Tell When Makeup Products Have Expired
There are a few ways to tell when your makeup products have gone bad. The first is the smell test – if it smells rancid, then it’s probably time to toss it. You can also look for changes in texture or color, as this is another good indication that the product has expired. Finally, you may want to check the packaging for an expiration date.
What Happens When You Use Old/Expired Makeup?
- Irritation;
- Rashes;
- Allergic reactions;
- Breakouts;
- Dryness, etc.
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So, How Often Should You Get Rid Of Your Makeup?
Most experts suggest tossing out any makeup that you haven’t used in the last 3-6 months. Of course, the shelf life may vary, depending on the product. (We’ll delve more specifically into different products momentarily!)
In general, though, whenever you purchase any makeup products, be sure to find and note its expiration date. From there, you can make things easier for yourself by setting reminders or writing yourself little notes to remind you when it’s time to toss out your products.
And as we mentioned earlier, it’s also a good idea to regularly check your makeup products for any changes in smell, color or texture. After all, these can all be signs that it’s time to throw them away!
When to Throw Away Makeup Products
Where to Find the Expiration Date on Makeup Products
Most makeup products should have an expiration date printed somewhere on the packaging or label. If you don’t see anything that explicitly says ‘expiration date’, then it’s a good idea to check for a ‘best by’ or ‘use by’ date. You should be able to find this by looking at either the bottom, side, or back of the product. This will tell you how long the product is good for and when it should be replaced.
It’s also important to keep in mind that your makeup products may expire sooner if they’ve been exposed to extreme temperatures/humidity or simply haven’t been stored/taken care of properly. When in doubt, replace your products as soon as you can to make sure that your skin stays healthy and free from bacteria!
“Can’t I Simply Clean Old Makeup? Do I Really Need to Throw It out?”
The short answer is no – you should not attempt to clean old makeup products. When it comes to eye shadow, eyeliner, and other products that come in a powder form, the bacteria buildup may be too deep into the product and simply can’t be removed.
Liquid makeup products (such as foundation or concealer) tend to expire much faster due to the bacteria that can form from being exposed to air. When it comes to makeup and skincare products, we always recommend replacing them as soon as they become expired or look like they have been used too much.
Bottom line? When in doubt, throw it out! Not only will this help you stay safe and healthy; it’ll also keep you looking fabulous!
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Skincare Products
What Happens to Skincare Products as They Get Old?
Most people don’t realize this, but using expired skincare products can actually be really damaging to your skin. When skincare products get old, the active ingredients start to break down and become ineffective… Meaning that they won’t give you the same benefits as when they were fresh!
Additionally, bacteria can start to form on the surface of the product, which can be really bad for your skin if you don’t clean it off regularly. When this happens, it’s important to throw away the product and invest in a new one.
What Happens When You Use Old/Expired Skincare Products?
- Irritation
- Breakouts
- Dryness
- Allergic reactions
- Redness
- Bacterial infections
What is the Shelf Life of Skincare Products?
In general, most skincare products (once opened) have a shelf life of 10-12 months. If left unopened and stored correctly, many skincare products can last up to two years. That said, the shelf life ultimately varies, depending on the type of product and how you store it.
For example, products that come in a pump or spray bottle often have shorter shelf lives than products that come in a jar or tube. Additionally, storing your skincare products in areas with excessive heat or humidity may – and probably will – cause them to expire sooner than expected.
The best way to keep track of your skincare products’ expiration dates is to check the bottom, side or back of the product for a ‘best by’ or ‘use by’ date. Then, set yourself reminders to replace them as soon as they become expired.
Pro Tip: Here are 10 steps to properly understanding skincare labels and ingredients!
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How to Tell When Skincare Products Have Expired
When it comes to liquids, the product may change in consistency or color – often becoming darker or runnier than usual. For powders and creams, they may become lumpy or discolored. When this happens, they should be immediately thrown away.
Additionally, you may notice a foul odor or a change in the scent of your skincare product when it has expired. This is often an indication that bacteria has started to form on the surface of the product. Again, if this happens, throw it away and invest in a new one.
What Happens if You Get an Infection?
While you may be tempted to just wait it out and hope things clear up on their own, we don’t recommend this. If your skin has become inflamed, red, or irritated after using an expired product, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Depending on the severity of the infection, they may prescribe antibiotics or other treatments to help clear it up. Better to be safe than sorry, right?
After all, in some cases, infections caused by using old makeup and skincare products can be serious! For example, staph infections can lead to long-term skin damage and even scarring. So, it’s important to take the immediate, necessary steps towards healing.
How to Make Your Makeup and Skincare Products Last
- Keep them away from heat and direct sunlight
- Check expiration dates regularly
- Don’t share or swap old products with friends (as this can lead to bacteria and infections)
- Store them in a cool, dry place
- Clean brushes and beauty blenders regularly (with soap and warm water)
- Throw away expired products immediately
