When Does Your Makeup Expire?

Beauty may last forever, but makeup has an expiration date. So, if you have a long-held lipstick rolling around at the bottom of your bag, it might be time to throw it away.

Dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD, explains why makeup doesn’t get better with age and how to tell whether it’s gone bad.

How to tell if makeup has expired

Most makeup has an expiration date located on the back or bottom of the item. Look for a small icon that looks like an open can with a number inside it. If it says “24m,” it’s good for two years (24 months) after opening it. If it says “6m,” you should throw it away after using it for six months.

But not every cosmetic has an expiration date. So, you’ll want to keep an eye out for changes in smell, texture, color and performance that indicate that it’s time to throw it out. (More on that later.)

It’s also important to store makeup correctly. Think about it like food or other perishable items: Over time, the ingredients start to break down, making it less effective and, in this case, increasing your risk of irritated skin.

“Unopened, well-formulated makeup is stable for years at room temperature,” says Dr. Khetarpal. “When you open it, ingredients start to oxidize or degrade because they’re exposed to the air.”

Signs you should throw it away

An expiration date is telling. But if there isn’t one, pay close attention to any changes in your makeup, including how it affects your skin.

• Smell: If it smells like chemicals or the odor becomes unpleasant or sour, the item should be replaced.
• Texture: Changes in consistency — like clumping powders, dry or gritty eyeliner, or separating liquid in a foundation or cream — are all signs your makeup has gone bad.
• Performance: If your mascara is flaking or your blush isn’t blending the way it should, it may have lost its effectiveness and should be thrown away.
• Color: Makeup oxidizes over time, meaning oxygen causes it to change color. So, if your foundation starts to look faded, darker or orangey, it may have expired.
• Skin reactions: If you’re having an unexpected increase in breakouts, infections or allergic reactions, it may be a sign that you’re using expired makeup.

Typical lifespan of makeup

Dry makeup products (like eyeliner pencils and powder foundation) tend to last longer than “wet” products (like concealer, liquid eyeliner and some types of eyeshadow). That’s because the moisture in wet products helps bacteria and mold grow faster.

If you notice changes in your makeup or the way your skin reacts to it, throw it out. But in general, Dr. Khetarpal recommends these guidelines for how long you should keep makeup:

• Blush: Six months for cream blush; one to two years for powdered blush
• Concealer: Six months for the liquid variety; one to two years for powdered
• Eye shadow: Six months to one year for liquid types; one to two years for powdered
• Eyeliner: Six months for liquid liner; one to two years for pencil liners
• Foundation: Six months for liquid foundation; one to two years for powdered
• Lipstick, lip gloss and lip balm: Six months
• Mascara: Six months
• Makeup with SPF: Six months

Some makeup should be swapped out sooner if you’re dealing with a health issue that could affect them.

“Our lips have a lot of bacteria on them, so lip products get contaminated quickly,” adds Dr. Khetarpal. “If you get a cold sore, stop using these products and start fresh. You should do the same for mascara and other eye products if you have an infection like pink eye.”

Risks of using expired makeup

Bacteria and mold can grow in your makeup at alarming rates, especially when heat and humidity are involved. One study found that 90% of used makeup products contain an abundance of bacteria, including E. coli.

“When you pump something out of a bottle, like certain types of foundation, you’re not contaminating it every time you use it,” clarifies Dr. Khetarpal. “But when you touch your makeup, then your skin, then the makeup again, you’re adding bacteria to the product.”

Makeup brushes can hold onto bacteria, too. And if there’s bacteria built up in these products, you may experience:

• Acne breakouts
• Contact dermatitis
• Skin irritation and rashes
• Bacterial or fungal infections
• Eye infections

“Clean brushes or sponges at least weekly because they’re touching your powder and skin every time you use them,” advises Dr. Khetarpal. “Weekly washing minimizes the bacteria that build up. So, use shampoo to wash them and allow them to air-dry completely.”

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but you don’t want to end up with a lingering eye infection. As long as you’re using makeup, pay attention to the expiration date and any potential changes to the way it looks or feels. It’s always safer to toss it than to risk it!