It’s no secret that that makeup and beauty products lose quality over time but did you know that these products expire? It’s true, and most people hang on to their beauty products much longer than they should. Here’s what you need to know about product expiration, and how often you should repurchase these products.

Beauty products expire?

Yes! I’m sure that most people (myself included) have products in their makeup bag that are well beyond their expiration date. We shouldn’t treat these dates as a suggestion just because they are often missing from the packaging. It is worth noting that when looking at expiration dates, the date that you actually opened the product should be taken into account.

Why is it important to pay attention to expiration dates?

When beauty products expire, the quality of the product becomes much lower. You will find your makeup coming off much more quickly, flaking, peeling and/or losing some of its pigment. It is also unhealthy to use expired products on your skin. According to Jessica Wu, MD: “Most beauty products are designed to stay fresh and stable only for a limited period of time. After that, they start to break down, so your cream might not work as well, your makeup may streak or change color, or — worst case scenario — you could develop a terrible infection.” If you want to avoid these potential problems, keep reading to find out when each type of product expires:

Foundation: 6 months to 2 years

How long your foundation will last for depends on a couple of factors. An unopened bottle of foundation can last a couple of years, but once opened, the formula is at risk of spoiling. These water based formulas will also break down faster if kept in a hot and humid environment, such as a bathroom. Watch your foundation bottles for signs of discoloration or dried product. Using expired foundation can cause skin irritation and breakouts.

Mascara: 3-6 months

Mascara expires faster than a lot of other beauty products. The tube and brush get exposed to a lot of air, especially when you pull the brush out multiple times for one application. This causes a lot of bacteria to grow in a short period of time. You will be able to tell that it is time to throw out your mascara if it becomes dry, flaky or starts to irritate your eyes. Ignoring these signs can lead to infections like pink eye.

Eyeshadow: 1-2 years

Generally speaking, powder based formulas will last longer than cream. Powder based formulas will flake much more easily, while cream ones will become extremely dried out. To extend the life of your eyeshadow, always apply with a clean hand or brush. Expired eyeshadows can bring on redness and irritation to the eye as well as infections, much like with expired mascara.

Lipstick: 2 years

Lipstick and lip gloss products expire more quickly if exposed to an excess of air. (Close the tube completely)! That said, you will easily be able to tell when these products are past their expiration date. If they become dry or too sticky, it’s time to toss them. Don’t hold on to these products. Applying old lipstick can lead to skin irritation and bacterial infections.

 Nail Polish: 2 years

Nail polish can last quite a long time if stored properly in a cool dry place. However, nail polish that is expired will start to dry inside the bottle. Layers of different components of the formula usually become visible. You’ll also notice that if you use a polish after its expiration date, that the formula might have taken on a strange texture or chip more easily. Toss the product when you see these signs to get a better manicure and avoid infections.

Wrapping up

There’s no need to set fire to all of the makeup in your vanity drawer after reading this article. Be sure to mark your beauty products at the time you open them, with a permanent marker. This way, you don’t have to guess which products have been around too long. Knowledge is power, and now you know when your beauty products expire and what causes the products to become hazardous and lose quality. The good news? You get to shop more frequently, meaning you can try out new products, formulas, and colors. Ready to get your hands on some new nail polish shades from 786 Cosmetics? Click here.