Shelf Life of Makeup Products

Stop for a moment and ask yourself about your beauty habits? 

Have you been following them correctly? 

How long have you washed your makeup brushes?

We all know how difficult it is to throw our favorite makeup products by abiding by the makeup expiration dates. But, do you why it is of that much importance?

Expired makeup products become a breeding ground for bacteria, causing unnecessary trouble to your skin. 

I too have thrown my lip balm's right away, I have kept them for 3 years and in spite of knowing about this expiry thing, I still used them and the result is these small bumps around my lip line. 

If you do the same, please stop doing that and buy a new lip balm. 

Read on to know more about the expiry of your favorite lipstick, mascara, eyeshadow, etc.

Those pesky pimples you have without any cause, the irritation in your eyes that happened a few days back, that lip infection, all of it can be because of your beauty habits.

Read Do Our Makeup Products Have a Shelf Life? to know more.

Here, the PAO(Period After Opening) plays an important role. 

The PAO defines the time when to throw the product after opening it. 

For example, if a product has a PAO of 12 months then you should throw that product from the starting period of using it until 12 months completed.

The PAO symbol is presented as this open jar symbol

Now, how do we know which product is going to expire when? 

We have tons of products like mascara, foundation, kajal, lipstick, eyeliner, primer, makeup setting spray, eyeshadow 😫 , and much more. 

It is very difficult to keep an eye on every makeup product expiry date or PAO.

How to store makeup products?

There are certain rules that you should follow while storing your beauty products:

• Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
• Handle the products with clean hands.
• Do not share your products.
• Clean them every once in a while.
• The products with applicators are to be cleaned and stored properly. 
• Keep the containers with wide mouths tightly screwed.
• Travel Tip - Travel with your cosmetic in hand baggage to avoid exposing them to unwanted conditions like humidity, extreme temperature.
• Use the spatula or dropper provided with the product, they are designed to stop the product from being contaminated.
• Look for products with pump dispensers while buying them.

Let us have a look at the shelf life of various products:

1. Foundation or Concealer: 6 months to 1 year

Tip- 

1. Store your foundation in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. 
2. Do not place the fingers directly, squeeze it out on the back of your hand and then apply. 

Never try to put the foundation back in the bottle.

When to Toss- When the foundation starts to separate into layers or its color has lightened, toss it away.

2. Blush, Compact: 2 years

Tip- Use a wet wipe and gently clean the surface of the powder to remove dirt and bacteria.

When to Toss- When you see a greasy layer forming or forming on the product's top.

3. Lipstick: 2 years

Tip- 

1. Keep your lipstick in appropriate conditions, never store it in your car. 
2. Never apply the tester shade on your lips directly.

When to Toss- When you see a change in the state of the product, be it drying or grumpy.

4. Lip Liner: 2 years

Lipliners usually have 2 years of shelf life as they are sharpened regularly thus removing the outer layer.

5. Liquid Lip Gloss: Less than 1 year

Tip- 

1. If the lip gloss is in a jar, try to wash your hand every time before using it.
2. If it comes in the form of liquid lipstick then take care of it as you do for mascara. Read point 1 for that.

When to Toss- When you notice a change in color or texture or smell.

6. Liquid Lipstick: 6 months to 1 year

Depending on how have you used them.

Tip- Keep the cap tightly closed.

When to Toss- When you see a change in texture, smell, or consistency.

7. Mascara: 3 months

Tip- 

1. Stop sharing mascara, it can cause cross-contamination. Switch your mascara every 6 months.
2. 
   

When to Toss- As soon, you notice the formula getting clumpy or has some weird smell, toss it out!

8. Eyeshadow: 6 months to 2 years

Powder eyeshadows can stay as long as 2 years whereas cream eyeshadows tend to last for 3 to 6 months. 

Tip- Use a wet wipe and gently clean the surface of the powder to remove dirt and bacteria(for powder eyeshadow).

When to Toss- When you see a greasy layer forming or forming on the product's top (for powder eyeshadow).

9. Eyebrow Pencil or Kajal: 1 year

Tip- Keep them away from humid places, especially the bathroom.

When to Toss- When a greasy film covers the tip, time to throw it out.

10. Liquid Eyeliner: 3 to 4 months

Tip- Do not share your eyeliner with anyone.

When to Toss- When it dries out, throw it out!

11. Gel eyeliner: 2 months

Gel Eyeliners come in a pot that retains more bacteria, hence it is good to throw it out!

12. Nail Polish: 2 years

Tip- Heat and exposure to sunlight make your nail polish separate into layers, decreasing its shelf life. Keep in a cool and dry place.

When to Toss- When it starts to separate into layers or the smell has gone foul.

13. Perfume: 9-10 years

Tip- Nicely stored perfumes last as long as 10 years. So, keep them in a dry and cool place, away from direct sunlight.

When to Toss- When its smell starts to change or color has lightened.

14. Micellar Water: 6 months

Micellar Water contains water as its first ingredient, and water encourages the growth of bacteria, so it's good if you use it real quick or buy a smaller bottle.

Some Bonus Tips and Tricks

• Always buy small-size makeup products.
• See and think whether you really need to buy that product.
• Invest in makeup products about which you are confident enough.
• Do not experiment with your makeup products.
• When a makeup product has expired- TOSS IT OUT.
• DO NOT SHARE YOUR MAKEUP.

If you like the post, please like and share it with your makeup addict friends and tell them how to avoid expired makeup products. Tell me a story if you have ever dealt with expired makeup products. 

Thanks a lot for reading. Hope to see you soon!