And this expiration date is there for a reason.
We immediately throw away a carton of milk if it is well past its expiration date, but when it comes to make-up it is often a different story. However, mascaras, lipsticks and other cosmetic products also have an expiration date. We’ll tell you all about it.
Shame to throw away
We all have a lip gloss or powder at home that we haven’t used in years. Yet we often think it is a shame to throw it away, especially if it is completely unused and you have paid a hefty price for it. Maybe you also think that there is no harm in using old makeup. However, there are certainly risks involved.
Expiration date
In case you didn’t know yet: cosmetic products have an expiration date. This varies per item: for example, a lipstick can last much longer than a mascara. You can see how long your makeup will last on the packaging. On this you will always find a symbol of an opened jar with a number and the letter M behind it. The M stands for the number of months. If it says 6M, you can assume that the product in question has a shelf life of six months.
This is the average shelf life of each makeup product:
- Powders – 15 months
- Creams – 15 months
- Foundation & Concealer – 15 months
- Lip gloss – 15 months
- Mascara – 5 months
- Liquid Eyeliner – 5 months
- Lipstick – 21 months
Risks
There is of course a reason for the expiration date on make-up. There are no really dramatic consequences if you use make-up that has expired, but it can lead to irritations. For example, you can get pimples, but inflammation and infections are also possible. Your eyes in particular are very sensitive to bacteria. Using old eye makeup puts you at a higher risk of developing an eye infection.
Recognition points
Sometimes you no longer remember when you purchased a certain cosmetic product and the expiration date is no longer visible. There are also several points by which you can recognize a product that is no longer good. This can cause it to have a strange smell or become grainy. Even when the color has changed you can often conclude that it is no longer good.
Source: NSMBL | Image: Pexels
