A common misconception is expired makeup is safe to use, but this isn't always the case. Risks are associated with using expired makeup including, clogged pores and bacterial growth. It's important to be mindful of how long your makeup has been in storage so you can avoid these potential health hazards.
Your skin may react to product ingredients if they have reached their expiration date. This could lead to redness or irritation. If bacteria get into an open container or onto a brush, they can multiply rapidly and cause breakouts or other infections.
Mold is another common issue with old cosmetics because moisture builds up inside containers over time, leading to mold growth. This mold growth can trigger breakouts or other irritations.
Another risk of using expired makeup is a change in the color of the product over time. This is particularly relevant for foundation products. The longer the foundation is kept after purchase, it can oxidize. This oxidation can change the color. If you notice your favorite beige color foundation taking on a slightly more orange color, it may be expired.
Using your sense of smell also is a way to tell if your makeup is expired. This method works well with foundation and mascara. If the product has an odd smell, or a different smell than when you first bought it, throw it out.
If your foundation starts to separate into layers, or your mascara wand gets dry, you may want to reconsider using these products. Do not add water to your mascara to increase the moisture, as this can escalate the bacteria-producing capabilities.
In general, makeup typically lasts one year from the manufactured date before expiring.
Minimizing the spread of bacteria in makeup starts with using clean applicator brushes. The brushes used to apply your makeup should be washed every seven to 10 days to avoid bacteria growth.
Following guidelines for expiration of makeup products is the first step in protecting yourself against any potential health risk from your cosmetics.
Amanda Logan is a nurse practitioner in Family Medicine in Waseca, Minnesota.
Makeup artist Pati Dubroff will toss her mascara even sooner if she notices one thing in particular: "It will also have a distinct gasoline-like smell once it's gone bad." If you develop any negative symptoms, immediately throw out any of your eye makeup that may have been contaminated. If your eyes are still irritated a day or two later, see an eye doctor.
With the exception of powder formulas, foundations are water-based, which means bacteria love them. Unopened, foundation can last for a couple of years, but once the seal is broken, Hammer says, it's best to replace it after six to 12 months. Keep foundations out of moist environments (such as your bathroom) and away from heat, as high temperatures encourage the growth of the bugs and can speed up the spoiling — true for beauty products in general.
An off smell or a change in color tells you the formula is finished — applying it could cause irritation or breakouts. Another sign of a liquid or creamy foundation (or concealer or blush) being past its prime: separation. "Separation can be seen as an oil layer forming on top, color not distributed correctly throughout the product, or a water layer forming on the bottom," says Koestline. "Separation can make the preservative system less effective and therefore make the product prone to contamination."
This is meant to cover blemishes, not cause them — which is what can happen if you use a concealer that's too old. "You'll know it's gone bad because the color will start to shift," cosmetic chemist Ni'Kita Wilson has told Allure. The closer to liquid form a concealer is, the sooner it should be tossed; concealers in powder and stick form can last for up to two years, while liquids should be replaced after one.
Powders, both pressed and loose, are the Energizer Bunny of makeup. They keep going... and going — for up to two years. Still, as Wilson has told Allure, "some powders contain small amounts of water from botanical extracts, so there's the risk of it growing bacteria if you leave it lying around your bathroom." Look on the ingredients panel for long Latin names — these are often botanicals, and their common names (such as oat extract, chamomile, aloe, bamboo, and green tea extracts) are typically listed in parentheses.
The same rules that apply to face powder apply to powder blush. Cream blush, however, should be replaced after a year, "since the formula environment is generally one where bacteria can thrive and application of this product form is usually done with the fingertips," says Teschendorf.