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.
Well, I thought I couldn't let any of it go, however, I literally JUST tossed out all of my makeup because a friend scolded me about it. All of my makeup was 6+ years old. I couldn't understand why I kept getting cold sores or infections in my eyes, DUH! So yeah, tossing everything was the best thing for me!
tweeted @gjprasad
Mascara! without it I look sleepy!
i love my highlighting pen. does wonders.
Lipstick I never use
I have an ancient old lipstick that still works well for me - I havent gotten rid of it, because - even with all the shades out there - why can we never find the exact one we love?
I have a hard time parting with mascara especially when I love the shape of the brush
I have such a hard time letting go of any of my make up :/
nars lip stain!
lipstick , too many of them , all kind of colors
Lipsticks and eye shadows!
Seriously, I don't buy into all of this. I have never had issues. I will toss the eye stuff out, though.
I have a really old lip gloss that you can't get anymore, so I just use it super sparingly and try to make it last for as long as I can.
Basic lip balm from Burt's Bees
I still have my favorite lipstick that I had in high school, and I'm 46! (I don't use it though, just for color reference.) I always keep my cosmetics for years, never had a problem. You can only get an infection by using somebody's else stuff, not your own, because bacteria don't just magically appear in a closed container, they come from somebody.