Makeup can be hard to do, especially when you paid a pretty penny for it. If makeup products still look good and smell fine, it’s tempting to keep it and use it for just a little longer, but don’t do it. Below is an explanation as to why makeup doesn’t get better with age and when you need to toss them out:

DO MAKEUP PRODUCTS HAVE EXPIRY DATES? MAKEUP: WHEN SHOULD I TOSS THEM OUT? MakeUp

Yes, it does. If you don’t know when to toss out your makeup, here are a few factors that it depends on:

When you opened it: Unopened and well-formulated makeup remains stable for years at room temperature. Once you open makeup products, ingredients start to oxidize or degrade because they’re exposed to the air.

Where you store it: Heat and humidity promotes growth of mold and yeast. So it is recommended to not store makeup in your bathroom, where there’s moisture, steam and heat. Pick a cool, dry place instead.

Packaging and application: Makeup products such as a stick concealer, that touches your skin repeatedly will get mucky faster than a product in an airtight package such as a pump foundation. When you pump something out of the bottle, you’re not contaminating it every time you use it, but when you touch your makeup, with your skin and then the makeup again, you’re adding bacteria to the product.

DON’T RELY ON EXPIRATION DATES AND DON’T SHARE YOUR MAKEUP PRODUCTS:

Makeup expiration dates refer to an unopened product. Once you open it, the clock starts ticking. Makeup products contain preservatives, but they don’t have the capacity to fight all the germs once they start being used. It is also highly recommended not to share your makeup products, no matter what the situation maybe. Sharing makeup products can cause the spread of bacteria, infections and other diseases

SHELF LIFE FOR MAKEUP PRODUCTS:

1. Mascara is in close contact with your eyes, and the tube is moist and dark inside which is a prime environment for bacteria and fungus. It is recommended to throw it out even if the texture or smells of the product changes or you have had an eye infection like a stye or pinkeye. Finally, avoid pumping your mascara wand in and out of the tube of mascara, and don’t add water or anything else to the mascara.

2. Eyeliner pencil isn’t quite as prone to bacteria and germs as mascara, but because it’s touching your eye area, you need to be careful with it. You can use dry eyeliner pencils until they run out by sharpening them regularly to remove the layers that touched your eyes. Liquid eyeliners are to be thrown after six months.

3. Liquid foundation if in a pump will last much longer than an ordinary bottle top. A pump foundation keeps the contents from touching anything. If you use a liquid in a regular bottle, don’t put the beauty blender or your finger right on the opening. Instead, pour it on to your applicator. When you do so, make sure that your applicators, such as your brushes and beauty blenders are cleaned after every use, as that may also be a cause of infectious diseases.

4. Cream-based makeup products are similar to liquid products and are more likely to spoil within 6 months.

5. Powder-based makeup products can be kept for up to two years if they are maintained. Due to their low water content, they are less likely to grow mold and bacteria. While using powder products it is important to keep your beauty blenders and brushes clean as well.

6. Lipstick and lip balm are cream-based and hence can be used up to six months tops. Our lipsticks hold back the bacteria from our lips resulting in quick contamination of the product.

Makeup products are recommended to be changed every 6 months to avoid any kind of infection or acne. Your face deserves fresh makeup. It can be tempting to hold onto that perfect concealer that’s been discontinued but it’s not worth it. JD Institute’s Courses on Makeup Artistry help makeup enthusiasts to understand the importance of every product used on your skin and how they are to be maintained after every use.