Our vegetables and spices start to wilt up and become dry when they aren’t edible. One whiff of the milk can tell us it is not okay to drink it, a layer of oil at the lid of the sealed container indicates that the prepared meal shouldn’t be consumed. We get to know what food has rotten and what has to be thrown out by taking a quick glance at the food but what if we talk about makeup, a common question arises in our head: how do we get to know that our makeup and medicines have expired? or that they shouldn’t be used anymore? We never understand when our old foundations have to be superseded. The use of expired makeup is very dangerous for the skin as it can cause a lot of skin problems and that is the reason we have designed the ultimate guide on how you can identify it.
Dr.Debra Jaliman, an assistant professor and board-certified dermatologist at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai throws light on the expiry of makeup by saying that “ The major issue with cosmetics is that they can decay”. She further elaborates by stating relevant examples on how she has seen burns and skin infections causing the skin to break out.
A board certified dermatologist based in Beverly Hills California Dr. Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, FAAD elucidated three main signs to look for when checking your makeup. 1) If there is a slight discoloration in the product 2) If the texture and smell has changed from before 3) If it starts to seperate it should not be used!
Another way to check expiry is also to look at the product’s expiration date after it has been opened.
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Foundation
Imagine if your favorite shade of foundation runs out of stock or is discontinued. In that case you might use it less and continue using the same bottle for years just for the perfect shade, risking your skin as it can cause severe break down since there is a very high possibility that the foundation may separate over time. “Keep in mind that foundations are liquid based and liquids tend to expire the fastest causing a bad smell and seperation of mixture” says Stell. The usage of expired foundation can additionally cause the skin to oxidize i.e turn orange.
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Sunscreen
Although sunscreen is not counted in makeup but still it has to be mentioned since this is a part of your everyday routine and cannot be left. When you’re used to applying a thin layer of sunscreen it is evident that your SPF tube will last longer but the question is how long? If the SPF has been in a warm temperature for a long period of time is half used it's better to discard it within six months and buy a new one! Why? Well that's because the longer the SPF is exposed to heat once opened the faster the vehicle ingredients break and as a result it is not that effective. Apart from that if stored in a cool place it can be used for a maximum of two to three years.
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Eyeshadow
Women tend to have a variety of eyeshadow palettes for different occasions. The trick to keep them safe is to keep the eye brushes clean, says Dr. Shainhouse. If the eyeshades resemble chalk they should not be used, says Dr. Seedi. It’s a good choice to not keep them for long as well since the eyes are sensitive and are prone to eye infection.
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Lipsticks
Wearing lipstick for some women is like magic, it boosts their confidence and it is a product that is part of every girl’s everyday minimal look. Lipsticks can last upto 365 days. A tip to prevent lipsticks from getting expired is to slice a thin layer from the top in order to refresh it. Dr. Shainnhouse suggests buying a new lipstick every 6 to 12 months since lipsticks make direct contact with the mouth increasing the risk of bacteria. The change of color and consistency tells that it has gone bad and to the bin it goes.
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Mascarra
Three to six months only! Yes, you heard it right. Even though mascara is something that you can’t live without the risk that comes with it is greater than one can imagine. Breana hume a licensed esthetician and makeup artist expert at Blue Water Spa quotes “one can get eye infections like pink eye, conjunctivitis or even styes because the tubes can hold bacteria in them. The eyes are in contact with body fluids and We often double-dip mascara. If the mascara becomes thick , clumpy and does not give that va va voom it once did, then you better know where it is going.
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Water based cosmetics
These include serums, hyaluronic acids, tints, primers that are water based. These include skincare products that are recommended mostly by dermatologists as we age. These few drops do wonders to your skin. While they may not go bad that easily with time they can loose their vital ingredients like vitamin c that we pay for. Always look at the product when poured on hand to see if the ingredients haven’t separated. Other than that they have the tendency to last longer until 1 year.
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Powder Blush and crème blushes
This has to be every girl’s favourite product making them look younger, brighter and even more beautiful. Shelf life: they can last a few years if there are no cracks in the blush whereas when we talk about crème blushes they can last if taken proper care i.e closed properly and stored in a cool and dry place. If the blush becomes sticky and changes its texture then it should be dumped as soon as possible. Make sure to wash your brushes regularly.
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False lashes
We know how false lashes gained popularity when Huda Beauty introduced them. Since then false lashes whether on heavy glam makeup or a minimalistic look have been used a lot. They can be used for four to five years but remember once you feel that they’re not looking good and are not comfortable when wearing as compared to when you previously wore them it’s good to throw them. Make sure to wash them after every use so as to get rid of any makeup residues.
We hope that this blog has answered all the questions and now you will easily be able to identify your cosmetics. Make sure to take care of your makeup by following the precautions discussed above. Here’s to experimenting all new makeup tricks and making yourself look more presentable, prettier.
