The first question to ask ourselves is: why should we throw away our beauty products? Well, simply because if you don’t, they will quickly become a nest of bacteria. By repeatedly using them, through soaking your fingers in your jar of cream, for example, you’re spreading germs on them! Over time, the texture of your favorite cosmetics changes, the formulas are less and less effective, and can even cause allergic reactions such as pimples, redness or infections. That’s why it’s so important to keep your products only for a limited period of time.
To find out when is the perfect time to throw away your favorite skincare product or your special appointment lipstick, you can sometimes simply read the expiration date on the product’s label. Indeed, since 2005, the optimal period of use has always been indicated by means of a symbol representing an open jar of cream accompanied by a number, which in turn is followed by the letter M (standing for “month”). For example, if it is marked on your skincare product “12M”, this means that you can use it for 12 months after you have opened it. Of course, this date is only an approximation since the shelf life of your products also depends on how you use them and where you store them.
To get a clearer picture, you can rely on the following recommendations:
Be aware that self-care products have the shortest shelf life. We keep them for 6 to 9 months and we prefer packagings with an airless system that avoids the propagation of bacteria. As for make-up, mascara and liquid eyeliner can be kept for a maximum of 6 months. As the eye is a particularly sensitive area, no risk is to be taken.
The compact foundation and the concealer should be thrown away after one year to avoid having pimples all over the face. On the other hand, if you have a liquid foundation in a bottle, you can keep it up to 18 months. Eyeshadow, lipstick, sun powder or blush should be renewed every 2 years on average. The same applies to nail polish and perfume, which, thanks to the alcohol in their composition, do not expire too quickly. Haircare products such as shampoos and masks can be used in your bathtub and remain effective for up to three years.
In general, if you want to keep your cosmetics for the longest possible time, don’t forget to store them in a dry place away from heat and sunlight. Also, make sure you wash your hands carefully before each use. If the texture, color or smell of a skincare or make-up product has changed, throw it away, even if it has only been opened for a few minutes.