Despite its long shelf life, makeup will eventually expire. The danger is, with our need to be frugal, we often neglect to note when we should toss it out.
Reality star and mum-of-three Kourtney Kardashian teamed up with Beauty Banter editor Sarah Howard to share her experience with getting rid of her favourite beauty products.
In a video shared with her website’s subscribers, Kourtney went through her lipsticks and lip glosses with the help of Sarah.
“There’s mould on this!” Sarah exclaimed upon finding a tube of lipstick that Kourtney says she bought even before her 8-year-old son Mason was born.
This isn’t advisable because lipsticks should only be kept for about two years. While, lip glosses expire in less that time.
photo: Pexels
Though the expiration dates on makeup aren’t easily noticeable, Sarah points out that the number inside the open lid found in many products indicates the number of months the product can be used after opening.
“We got rid of so much makeup that I’ve had for years, and it felt so good,” Kourtney wrote in a blog post.
Dr. Hadley King, a New York-based dermatologist shared the dangers of keeping makeup past its expiration date with Women’s Health.
“All of the molecules in these products can break down into something else, and you can have a reaction to it,” says King. Adding that this could lead to inflammation and contact dermatitis, which causes blisters, bumps, rashes, and redness. Expired makeup is also prone to harbouring bacteria, which can cause pink eye and acne.
Next page: Signs it’s time to throw your makeup out
Using makeup that’s past its expiration date isn’t just unhygienic, it may potentially be dangerous.
It doesn’t matter if you wash your face religiously, bacteria from your skin will naturally make its way into your cosmetics. This means that you may be reapplying bacteria without realising it.
So, how can you determine if it’s time to toss out your favourite beauty products?
Mascara and Liquid Eyeliner
Of all cosmetics, mascara has the shortest lifespan. It dries out easily and should be replaced regularly since it’s applied very close to your eyes.
Even if it still looks and smells fine, it’s safer to replace mascara and liquid eyeliner every three to four months.
Another way to tell when it’s time to throw it out is if it has a strong alcohol scent.
Lipstick
Lipstick can last up to two years. But if it smells waxy, looks and feels dry, or has changed in texture, it’s time to say goodbye.
photo: Pexels
Liquid Foundation
An important thing to remember when shopping for liquid foundation is going for packages with small openings. This is because the less it comes into contact with your fingers, the better. If you go for bottles with wide mouths, you will be prone to touching the inside of the bottle, which possibly spreads bacteria and shortens your makeup’s lifespan.
Generally, liquid foundation can last for up to two years. But if the smell and colour changes or if the formula separates, it means it’s time to buy a new bottle.
Blush, Eye shadow and other face powders
Another important thing to remember is to clean your brushes well. Wash them using a gentle shampoo and then lay them out to flat dry.
Blushes and eye shadows usually last for up to two years. But, if the powder turns flaky or dry (or starts to smell strange), it’s time to toss it out.
Another telltale sign is if a greyish film forms over it.
Pencil eyeliner and lip liner
What’s great about eye pencils is that they can be sharpened and refreshed regularly. They can also last for up to three years.
Be careful to note, though, that if the texture or scent changes or if you see a white dot on the end that doesn’t fade when you sharpen it, then it’s time to get a new one.
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