Does MakeUp & Skincare Expire? Info You Want to Know NOW!
We make sure to check expiration dates on food items, but when it comes to makeup & skincare products… how often do you check? Thinking about expiration dates on these products can be totally overwhelming, but I want to help simplify it for you so you know exactly what you’re looking for.
The PAO (Period After Opening) Symbol, seen to the left, can be found on a lot of cosmetics which, if you know to look for it, really makes this a lot easier! Sometimes this can be found on the product itself, but other times, you’ll see it on the box it comes in when you purchase so make sure to check for it before you toss it! Note: M stands for months.
Here’s a few general rules to keep in mind when thinking about your makeup & skincare products:
Liquids cleanser, removers, facial sprays: 6 months
Foundation liquid, creams, gels, moisturizers: 6 months to 1 year
Powders: 2 - 3 years
Mascara: 6 weeks - 3 months
Lipstick: 2 years
Lip Gloss: 6 months - 1 year
Eyeliner/lip liner: 6 months - 1 year
What to look out for?
Liquids, creams: Lumpy texture, separation in ingredients (you can sometimes physically see this), discoloration, change in texture, smell (this is a big one & it’s very obvious.. it’ll usually start to smell like art supplies, old crayons or clay. That’s how you know it’s expired!).
Powder: Discoloration, waxy build up on the surface of the product.
Pencils: Dry, break off when trying to apply or sharpen.
Mascara, liquid liner: Dryness, thick texture, clumpy.
The amount of times you open a product will shorten its shelf life. Pay extra attention to the products you use everyday! Everything that’s opened is exposed to outside elements and bacteria. So make sure to keep jars, pots and bottles tightly sealed after using them!
Be sure to sharpen pencils often, keep lids on tight and never pump your mascara (this is doing nothing but simply pushing air and bacteria into the product, causing it to dry out). Also, be sure to clean your brushes often so dirty brushes don’t contaminate & hurt the lifespan of your products!
“WHEN IN DOUBT…
THROW IT OUT”
I seriously cannot stress this enough. These are products that you use on your face and, if that’s not convincing enough, you use them on highly sensitive areas like your eyes, nose, mouth! Simply being cautious of the lifespan of your products will allow you to prevent infections, reactions, breakouts, etc.
Final tip: Take note of when you purchased your products. If it’s not written on the product itself, Use a label maker or sharpie to write the date so you never have to wonder!
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