Just can’t bring yourself to throw out that old expensive tube of lipstick or a pricey bottle of mascara you bought over a year ago? A recent survey may make you think again.
The survey found that one in five women were “makeup hoarders” who kept their makeup well past their expiration date. This puts them at risk of various diseases which vary in severity from urine infections to meningitis.
The survey, which involved 5,000 U.K.-based mums, found that 20% of the women surveyed still kept some makeup they purchased more than five years ago. They also admitted that they usually kept cleansers for a year even if it expires in six months.
Image source: iStock
25% of the surveyed mums revealed that they kept their mascara for a year even though it should only be kept for three months.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug administration, mascara should be replaced after three months to avoid the accumulation of bacteria. Mascara is prone to become a breeding ground for bacteria because water or saliva is often used to moisten it.
A breeding ground for bacteria…
A recent study by the London Metropolitan University studied five beauty products from popular brands. These samples were near or past their expiration dates. All tested positive for the bacteria which causes meningitis, also known as Enterococcus faecalis.
But this lethal bacteria wasn’t the only thing they found. They also detected traces of bacteria on the expired makeup which could cause gastroenteritis, wound infections, acne, skin conditions, and urinary infections.
Image source: iStock
Though the Food and Drug Administration in the U.S. does not require expiration dates on cosmetics, they confirm that eye products have a shorter shelf life compared to other cosmetics.
Organic or all-natural cosmetics may also have an earlier expiration date.
Makeup that has been subjected to high temperatures may expire well before their due date.
Being selfish could be a good thing…
Sharing makeup also increases the risk of contamination so it’s best to use a fresh cotton applicator when trying on or sharing makeup.
It’s also very important to properly clean and maintain your makeup brushes – there are a tonne of tutorials on YouTube that teach you how to take proper care of your brushes and products!
If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them with us!
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