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Cosmetics aren't required to carry
an expiration date. However, they can still go bad. At best, they won't work as
well; at worst, they may irritate skin or cause an eye infection. Lotions,
creams, gels and other water-based cosmetics are more likely than powders to
attract moisture-loving bacteria. But the clock starts ticking the moment any
makeup product is opened and exposed to air and light. To make yours last
longer, keep caps tightly sealed, and store containers away from heat and
sunlight. To be safe, follow the "toss by" tips below.
|
Product... |
Should last for... |
It's bad when... |
| Mascara |
3 months. Adding water or
pumping the wand into the tube can introduce microbes that
make mascara spoil faster and irritate eyes |
Develops clumpy consistency;
brush doesn't evenly transfer mascara onto lashes |
| Lipstick |
1-2 years |
Oils in formula turn rancid;
color fades; oil droplets form; once-shiny lipstick looks dull
or matte |
| Foundation - Bottle |
3-6 months. Widemouthed jars
can expose more product to air, making it break down more
rapidly |
Ingredients begin to settle or
separate; texture thins or thickens; odor seems off
|
| Foundation - Pressed Powder |
1+ years |
Glaze forms on top; odor seems
off |
| Foundation - Loose Powder |
1+ years |
Odor seems off |
| Powder, Eye Shadow, and Blush |
1+ years |
Glaze forms on top; powder
cracks or crumbles |
| Eye & Lip Pencils |
1+ years. Sharpen eye pencils
at least once a week to prevent bacteria from being
transferred to your eye area |
Product dries or crumbles |
If you have any questions or
comments about this topic, please contact me by
e-mail.
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