We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it's probably time to toss some of those makeup products you've been holding on to. All makeup products have an expiration date and, while it may be hard to hear, their shelf life is much, much shorter than you think. It might be tough throwing away that favorite foundation or that blush you only bring out for special occasions or that eyeshadow palette you've been clinging to since high school, but makeup expiration dates are no joke. Cosmetics can trap bacteria, which means replacing them regularly is necessary to try to avoid skin irritation, breakouts, eye infections, and styes.
According to makeup artist Ashely Rebecca, "Skin irritations such as rashes, bumps, and burning sensations can occur when using expired products. If you use mascara or eyeliner that’s past its expiration date, you can experience swelling, itchiness, or redness. It’s always best to see a dermatologist immediately if you experience any kind of reaction."
But here's a caveat: Unlike the contents of your fridge, the use-by date on your makeup products relies on the first day you use them, not the purchase date. "If you’re ever stuck wondering, all products have a small symbol that look like a jar with a number/letter on the inside, ex: 12M. This means, usually, that a product has a 12-month shelf life upon opening," says celebrity makeup artist Britty Whitfield. "For makeup, I always follow what the time frame is in the symbol. The worst possible thing would be to use an old, oxidized foundation."
So how do you know when to toss that foundation or mascara? Separation or changes in texture along with foul smells are dead giveaways the product has gone bad.
While it's crucial to look out for those telltale signs, it's still helpful to get a general idea of how long each product is meant to last. Keep reading to learn the makeup expiration dates for every kind of cosmetic, from blush to eyeliner and beyond.
Meet the Expert
Elnora Turner / Byrdie
Face
Foundation
Charlotte Tilbury
Airbrush Flawless Longwear Foundation
$49.00
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Shelf Life: Six months to one year
Maintenance Tips: Keep your foundation germ-free for longer by keeping your fingers away from the neck of the bottle. Instead, gently drip the formula onto the back of your hand before you apply. "Products, where you dip your finger to apply on the skin, are more susceptible to bacterial contamination," says Margarita Lolis, MD, of Schweiger Dermatology Group. "Lotions with a pump are generally safer and less likely to be contaminated. Products with less preservatives, such as those made for sensitive, have less preservatives and bacteria are more likely to grow." If you notice your foundation starting to separate, it’s definitely time to toss it.
Liquid Highlight
Benefit
High Beam Liquid Highlighter
$21.00
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Shelf Life: Six months to one year
Maintenance Tips: While not as long-lasting as their powder counterparts, the liquid highlighter can last up to one year. Store in a cool, dry place and opt for a disposable applicator when applicable to maximize its shelf life.
Concealer
Tarte Cosmetics
Shape Tape Concealer
$31.00
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Shelf Life: Six months to one year
Maintenance Tips: Similar to foundation, concealer can last up to a year. Keep the product out of direct sunlight, avoid touching the application with your fingers, and when you notice separation, it's time to toss.
Blush and Powder
MAC Cosmetics
Powder Blush
$29.00
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Shelf Life: Two years
Maintenance Tips: The longest-lasting color cosmetics you’ll ever buy, powder-formula blushes last around two full years. "Ideally, from personal experience, powders can be extended for longer periods of time if you’re actively and regularly cleaning your brushes. Otherwise, you’re putting old makeup, germs, and skin cells into that powder product every time when your tools are dirty," says Whitfield. Always, always keep your brushes clean!
Cream Blush and Multiple Sticks
Clinique
Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm
$29.00
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Shelf Life: 12 to 18 months
Maintenance Tips: Toss cream blush and “multiple” sticks (as in, products you can use on your cheeks and lips) if you notice a change in texture.
Byrdie Tip
Always use clean hands when applying any product to help keep the tubes and pots germ-free.
Lips
Lipstick, Liner, and Gloss
Nars
Lipstick
$26.00
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Shelf Life: One year
Maintenance Tips: It’s time to toss your favorite lip products when you notice a change in their texture—whether that means they dry out or they get goopy. Make your favorite red last longer by keeping it in a cool, dry place (not in your hot car).
Eyes
Brow Pencil and Kohl Eyeliner
Lancôme
Le Crayon Khôl Smoky Eyeliner
$28.00
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Shelf Life: One year
Maintenance Tips: Pencils can last longer than most eye products since they’re constantly being sharpened. Keep your liners away from your steamy bathroom to extend their life.
Mascara
Maybelline
Volum' Express the Falsies Mascara
$9.00
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Shelf Life: Three months
Maintenance Tips: Replacing your mascara regularly is crucial for avoiding eye infections. Switch out every three months (or sooner if you notice the formula getting clumpy or starting to smell funny, signaling it’s gone bad). And, of course, don’t ever share mascara, as it can cause cross contamination.
Liquid Eyeliner
Eyeko
Line and Define Skinny Liquid Eyeliner
$22.00
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Shelf Life: Three to four months
Maintenance Tips: Just like mascara, don’t share your liquid eyeliner—germs are your biggest enemy with this type of beauty product.
Byrdie Tip
The more moisture the product has—or the closer it comes to your eyes—the shorter its life span.
Eye Shadow
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Eyeshadow Single
$12.00
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Shelf Life: Three to six months
Maintenance Tips: While powder shadows can last as long as powder blushes (about two years), they should be replaced more often since they’re used around your eyes.
Gel Eyeliner
Stila Cosmetics
Smudge Pot
$20.00
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Shelf Life: Two months
Maintenance Tips: Unfortunately, a pot of gel eyeliner should only be used for a few months since it easily traps bacteria.
Fragrance
Chanel
No. 5 Eau de Parfum
$135.00
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Shelf Life: Three to five years
Maintenance Tips: Fragrance is the longest-lasting product in your beauty routine—by far! Max out your perfume’s shelf life by keeping your scents out of direct sunlight. (Some brands, like Le Labo, even suggest storing them in the fridge.)
Nail Polish
JINsoon
Nail Lacquer
$18.00
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Shelf Life: One to two years
Maintenance Tips: Heat and direct sunlight will make your polish separate and become discolored faster, so store your lacquers upright in a cool, dry place. There are also tricks to help you extend the life of polish that has gone goopy.
Makeup Sponge
Beautyblender
Original Beautyblender
$20.00
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Shelf Life: One to two months
Maintenance Tips: While this may not be a makeup product per se, it's an integral part of a makeup routine that many don't realize does have an expiration date. Unlike brushes, makeup sponges build up bacteria quickly—even with regular washes and care. (The Beautyblender website recommends daily washes for an ultimate lifecycle of three to six months, but our estimates are more generalized.)
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.