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Allow me to set the scene: you buy a haul of new makeup right before quarantine begins and a year later it’s still sitting in your bag with nowhere to wear it to. Sound familiar? It may be an inconvenient truth, but just like food, your makeup products do actually have an expiration date. And while it can feel like a waste to throw out makeup you’ve hardly had the chance to make a dent in, your skin and eyes could actually suffer from wearing expired products. We asked a dermatologist to explain the shelf life of your favorite beauty products, and exactly what could happen to your face when you continue to use old makeup. Here’s what he had to say.
After you purchase a new beauty product, the clock begins for you to finish it before it expires, after which point it may become subject to contamination. However, there is no hard and fast rule for expired products, according to dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner. He explains that once a product hits its expiration date, you could still continue to use it, so long as you’re aware that the formula may be now altered. However, he warns, “Generally speaking, I say no matter what the date, if the product does not look, smell, or feel like it did when you bought it, you should toss it."
Using expired makeup on your face may expose your skin to a potentially contaminated formula which, naturally, could provide some uncomfortable side effects. Zeichner notes, “In some cases, makeup could be contaminated with microorganisms if the preservatives lose their effectiveness. This could translate to skin infections if it is applied to open or raw skin. In other cases, if there is a change in the formulation or consistency of the product, theoretically it may cause skin irritation or even acne breakouts.”
The expiration dates of your products may not be listed directly on the packaging, but according to Zeichner, “Most experts suggest that mascara should be replaced every 3 months, lipsticks should be replaced after years. Powders like blush, bronzer, or eyeshadow typically should be replaced every 2 years or so. Primers and foundation typically last around 2 years.” The good news is, any products you bought at the beginning of the pandemic, aside from mascara, are still well away from expiring.
Using expired makeup may not completely destroy your skin, but it does have the potential to introduce it to a contaminated formula which may cause breakouts or other unpleasant reactions. While it may be a frustrating expense, in order to get the most out of your beauty routine it’s important to replace your products once they reach their expiration date to preserve your skin and achieve high-quality looks without fear of irritation. Think about it this way: if you’re willing to invest in clothing pieces to build a wardrobe you love, why wouldn’t you invest in everyday products that directly impact the quality of your skin?
