As consumers, we’ve become vigilant about peaking at the expiration date before purchasing food and beverages. But, what about that stuff we put all over our bodies and faces everyday? The truth is, cosmetics go bad too and when using products that are past their prime, we are putting ourselves at risk of contracting skin and eye infections...eek!
Read on to find out more, and then enter the #SheSpeaksMakeup Giveaway to win a $25 gift card to Sephora - so you can start replacing all your expired goods.
Tricks & Trucco reports about some of the worst items to hold onto for too long and what effects using old makeup can have on your delicate skin. For one, using expired mascara is known to cause eye infections. And since Racked reports that mascara only has a shelf life of about 2 - 4 months, we’re probably all guilty of putting ourselves at risk.
We know you love your foundation, but for the love of your skin, make sure you’re not keeping it for longer than 6 - 24 months. More specifically, Racked says you can hold onto cream foundations and concealers for 12 - 24 months and liquid foundations for 6 - 12 months. Older foundations tend to have their ingredients separate and the preservatives stop working as well, which can lead to germ growth and skin issues.
Unless you want to put yourself at a higher risk of rashes, tossing your lipstick or glosses anywhere from 6 to 24 months after purchase is also recommended. And old powder blushes kept longer than 18 - 24 months have been known to transfer nasty skin infections like impetigo.
Luckily, there's help for those of us who are elbow deep in questionable cosmetics. Websites like CheckCosmetic allow users to type in the batch code of their specific product and get answers like when the makeup was made and how long of a shelf life it has. Or try the app Beauty Keeper, which stores your makeup expiration dates and will remind you when it’s time to replace certain products that are about to go bad.
*One lucky commenter or Tweeter will be chosen at random to receive a $25 gift card to Sephora. Giveaway is open through October 14th, 2018 to U.S. residents at least 18 years of age. Entrants must be a member of SheSpeaks. If you are not a member, click here to join. Winner will be notified by email.
Update: Thanks to all who entered! Congrats to our winner, SheSpeaks member jennyoliver1.
I have a few foundations that I've had for years and years and years. I don't use them often but I'm not willing to throw them out because they were expensive and I like them.
My CoverGirl face powder
eyeliner
I really love makeup but if I won I would give the gift card to my grandma because she loves makeup and always has and she is sick and I'm afraid we may lose her this year. So I'd gift it to her to help with a girls day out! 💕 I love her so much.
Blush, I use it so sparingly that it seems to last forever and ever
The cosmetics I just can't let go are eyeshadows! They seem to be okay after awhile, but with sensitive eyes, I should probably be more vigilant and careful.
Because I have the Sephora app, I can track my purchase history and know I still have eyeshadow from one of my first Sephora runs in 2014. I also have some lipsticks that my mother gave me because she didn't care for the color. Who knows how old those are.
Mascara!
I've had makeup that's lasted forever even though they need to be thrown out! I have a blush from the late 80's early 90's. It's a maybelliene blush- don't think they make it anymore. I don't use it, just keep it around because it's one of the first things I've ever purschased. A product that I still use that should be thrown out would be from at least three or four years ago.
Mascara...I use it so little it's hard to get rid of it. Even if it's been over a year since opening.
I love my NARS lip pencils. I have so many colors!
You don't want to know, I still have stuff from the early 2000's...I don't use it but also don't toss it. Just a couple things, no idea why I'm hanging on them!
I bought the cutest eye shadow palette from Too Faced, in the shape of a peanut butter sandwich. It is sitting on my cosmetics shelf - so cute to look at, but I do not wear the colors. I know I should toss it, but I just can't!!!
I always keep mascara longer-it's horrible! I sometimes just forget bc it still works.
I honestly never think about my makeup as I use it very rarely. No clue how old any of it is but I bet a lot!