Photo Courtesy of Yves Saint Laurent
Whether we’re talking about hair products, skincare, or makeup, beauty products are our all-time favorite companions. Most of the time, we search for the expiry date on the bottle or on the package but we don’t find any info that answers the question “is this expired?” And we’ll be the first to admit that this makes us feel anxious and afraid of what the “expired” product can do to our skin if it’s no longer good for use. But don’t worry, as we will help you figure out when you should get rid of a beauty product and buy yourself a new one!
Just like everything else we use in life, skincare products, toiletries and makeup don’t last forever. Once opened, their exposure to air, light and bacteria can deteriorate them. Sometimes, expired items just lose their effectiveness – a perfume for example could lose its scent a little bit or an anti-dandruff shampoo no longer keeps your mane flake-free. Other times, they can result in irritation or other problems, like when you use an expired sunscreen and expose yourself to the sun all day long.
To avoid such results, you should first trust your eyes and nose, as when the texture or the smell of a product begins to change, the latter should be tossed in the garbage. Now, take a look at our little guide below:
1 – Products such as moisturizers, skin creams, eye creams andsunscreen last from 6 to 9 months. Ones that come in a pump can last for 1 year because they are less likely to introduce bacteria, unlike the ones that come in jars.
2 – Sunscreen often indicates that it expires in 1 year and should be stored away from the sun to prevent the formula from becoming unstable.
3 – Anti-aging and anti-acne creams can last up to 1 year. If they contain Benzoyl peroxide, they have a shelf life of three months when opened, while when containing antioxidants, such as retinol, glycolic acid and vitamin C, they break down more quickly.
4 – Shampoos, conditioners and other hair styling products last 1 to 2 years when opened, as water and air that get into the bottles could break down the formulas.
5 – Perfume and cologne last up to 2 years when stored away from the sunlight and humidity.
6 – Mascara and liquid eyeliner last up to 3 months. If they dry out, they could cause eye infection and you surely don’t want that!
7 – Liquid foundation and concealer last from 6 months to 1 year.
8 –Powder-based cosmetics such as eyeshadows and powder foundation last from 2 to 3 years.
9 – Lipsticks and glosses last from 2 to 3 years.
10 – Eye and lip pencils last from 3 to 5 years. Just make sure you sharpen them before use to preserve them.
11 – Nail polish usually lasts from 1 to 2 years and you can easily tell that by their texture.
Tip: tokeep track of all these dates, stick labels with your purchase or opening date on the products so you know when it’s time to toss them!
Mirella Haddad
