When to throw out your makeup? How long should you keep it for before it’s too old?

I received an email from a long-time reader just recently, asking me if I’d ever talked about the shelf-life of cosmetics, in particular, dry (powder) cosmetics. She had an eyeshadow palette that didn’t seem to work anymore and was wondering if it might have outlived its shelf life and should be tossed.

It was an interesting question, because I realised that I’d never really talked about the life-span of makeup before this, or how long you should keep your makeup before throwing it away. The primary reason is that, once I do, I’ll come across as sounding like a right hypocrite! 😛

But in the interest of discussion, I thought I’d tell you what the general shelf-life of makeup is, and then you can tell me if you stick to it, or if you wing it, the way I do 😉

In general, these days, the shelf-life of each item are indicated on the box and on the case of the item itself. If you look at the box or turn the case over, you will see an image like that of an open tin, and a number specified within.

What this symbol indicates, is how fresh the item remains after opening. The number within indicates the months it will remain fresh. E.g. In the Nars tinted moisturiser, it indicates that the product will remain fresh for 18 months after you first open it, while in the Urban Decay Naked foundation, it’s 6 months.

Do note that this is not an indication of its expiry date. That is a separate date that isn’t usually indicated on makeup items, but will be on skincare packaging. All this symbol tells you is how long you can expect the item to remain fresh, or at least in a store-fresh condition once you start using it.

While I pay a little more attention to this, when it comes to skincare items, I’m a lot more lax when it comes to makeup. Yes, I live a little dangerously, hence I’m a hypocrite! 😛

Freshness of Liquid and Cream cosmetics

For liquid and cream cosmetics, the nature of the product usually means a shorter freshness period. This usually covers items like foundations, eyeshadows, lipstick, concealer, lipgloss etc. Anything that comes in an emollient texture. The general rule is between 6-18 months of opening, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendation.

The primary reason is because these mediums can be more prone to bacterial growth, especially if they come into contact with our skin or the air a lot. While logically, these products contain a lot of preservatives to keep them fresh, they will not last you your whole life as it will eventually break down and sometimes separate.

A product that comes in a pump dispenser will usually remain fresher longer than one in a tub. So, a liquid foundation in a pump bottle should remain fresher longer than say, one in a dropper bottle that is more exposed to the elements. A product that comes into contact with your skin often e.g. mascara or lipgloss will degenerate more quickly. This is especially so, because the wands are replaced into the product once you’ve used it on your eyes or lips, and that allows for transfer of bacteria into the tube. Did you just shudder? 😛

Freshness of powder cosmetics

This usually covers products like powder foundation, loose powder, eyeshadows, blushes etc. Anything that comes in a powder formula. The general rule is 2-3 years from opening.

Technically, powder formula tends to be regarded as being more inert and a poor breeding ground for bacteria, as bacteria breeds best in a wet/liquid environment. However, this will of course depend on how you store your makeup. Store it in a damp area, and naturally, there will be some sort of damp transfer, which can lead to powder makeup growing mouldy. I’ve never experienced it myself, but I had a friend tell me it happened to her makeup.

Stored properly, the theory is that powder makeup can last practically forever. However, the quality of the pigment and intensity and formula may degenerate over time, which will be why a product that was lovely and soft and strongly pigmented when you first buy it, may lose its lustre after a few years. Some formula start out lovely and soft, but over the years, harden and become less impressive. If you use your fingers, then oils from your finger can transfer to the powder, and cause the surface to harden.

How can you tell when you should throw away your cosmetics

Well, you can either keep to the general rule, as recommended by the manufacturer, or play it by ear, as I do 😛 I’ll give you a general idea of how I gauge the freshness of my makeup below. Note: I run my own risk – if you’re not a risk-taker, please play it by the book!

If you recognise some of the older items in this picture, why I might even have met you on the Makeupalley boards back in my pre-blogging days! 😉 

Mascara/Eyeliner

With things like mascara or eyeliner, err on the side of caution. Although the general rule is 3 months, do note that some brands actually specify that you can use it up to 6 months before tossing it out. When I was using mascara, I’d go by the 6 month rule because my mascara seemed fine – it didn’t dry out, it was still smooth and it didn’t infect my eyes. Higher end mascara seemed to last longer for me. The minute it starts drying out, I toss it. Ditto eyeliner. I love the Maybelline Hypersharp eyeliners, but they dry out incredibly quickly! So, it sometimes doesn’t even last 3 months. I’m a little more careful when it comes to my eyes.

Lipstick/Lipgloss

With products like lipstick or lipgloss, I use the visual and nasal test. It’s not scientific of course, but as I don’t share my makeup, I have less to worry about. If the lipgloss looks weird, or goopy or separated or smells off, I bin it. Lipgloss can be tricky sometimes, because you apply it to your lips and then replace the wand into the tube, and I’ve had quite a few smell weird after a while. So, I’m always a little wary about using old lipgloss. I may keep them, but I don’t necessarily use them. Lipstick can sometimes get mouldy, or it can turn rancid, or the colour can change. If it looks weird or smells weird, I toss it. That said, I have some that are fairly old, but are still fine. I’m not sure what that says about the formula!

Cream eyeshadow

With cream eyeshadow, I find that the problem doesn’t lie so much in them turning bad, it’s in them drying out and shrinking. So, as much as I do enjoy using cream eyeshadow (Shiseido makes really good ones that I enjoy using) I have stopped because of this problem. I do find that Shiseido’s doesn’t dry or shrink as quickly, so if there’s one brand I’d buy it’s that. Benefit was one of the worst culprits. With cream eyeshadow sticks, I don’t have this problem with shrinkage, and they seem to last longer.

Concealer

I do tend to use up concealer, so even if it takes me a little longer than the recommended time, I don’t usually face a problem. Also, I’m not much of a concealer hoarder, having already found my HG, so I just stick to it. But a similar rule to lipgloss will apply – if it smells or looks weird, bin it. I used to really like a concealer by Shu Uemura (now discontinued, but the sponge tip really smelled funky after a while – ew!)

Liquid Foundation

Ok, I confess to owning and using foundation that are probably way past their freshness date. But they still look fine and smell and work fine, and don’t break me out so I still use it. I do cull occasionally, when I need the space, throwing out old formula, or those I rarely use, but I’m otherwise not very particular. I guess I should be, but I’m not. That’s why I still own the now discontinued Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation (the new one is different and too dark for me) 😛

Powder foundation

I don’t use a lot of powder foundation anymore, as I find them far too drying for my skin. They seem to suck the moisture out of it. So, whatever I have is really too old to use by now. But when I was using it, I’d discard if the texture of the powder changes. If you use a sponge, then you may find that the transfer of oils from your skin to the powder can change the texture. If it looks weird, bin it.

Loose powder, finishing powder (Meteorites)

The only time I’d bin it will be if the powder smells weird (happened to me once) or absorbs the humidity in the air and becomes heavy and cakey. Otherwise, I erm… don’t bin them LOL! I have pretty old Meteorites that I still use. No problems *touchwood* 😛

Powder eyeshadow, blush

The only time I’ve binned a a powder eyeshadow or blush is if it crumbles or hardens to the point that it’s just too much hassle to use. Otherwise, I just hold on to them, and use them. Yes, I own and use makeup from many years ago. Some stay usable longer than others. Some, like Chanel Joues Contraste baked blushes deteriorate in quality over time, as they harden and lose their pigment. Pressed makeup has less of an issue, I find, but they will harden over the years, and lose their lustre and intensity of colour. Usually, I toss them if I just know I won’t use them anymore, and they’re too old to give anyone else.

Work within your comfort zone

I’m not saying that you should do what I do, because there is every possibility that a makeup product that is too old, powder texture or not, may cause you to experience problems e.g. eye infections, lip infections etc. I’m just telling you what I do i.e. live dangerously, and what you SHOULD do, i.e. don’t 😛

So, that’s me and my rule of thumb when it comes to when I should throw out my makeup. The moral of the story here, is not to have a very large collection. I know, it’s a little counter-productive my saying this, since I blog about new makeup so often, but it’s a fact. The more you have, the less likely you’ll use them all, and the more likely that products will expire or go off, before you finish them. Yet, realistically speaking, there aren’t many of us who can safely, hand on heart, say that we’ve finished an eyeshadow or blush recently. I have finished a blush, but that was 10 years ago – never hit pan since LOL! 😀

So, I understand the minimalist movement that’s gaining popularity, but that’s a story for another day, that I promise I’ll get to 🙂

Do you abide by the general rules to toss out your makeup? Do you even toss out your makeup?

I’m sure most of you will throw out mascara and maybe lipgloss or lipsticks. Maybe you even finish them before they go bad! But what about powder makeup – eyeshadow or blush – do you finish them, or do you even toss them out? Share your thoughts with me 😀

Paris B