Why Old Makeup Is Dangerous for Your Eye and Skin Health (and When to Throw It Out)

This past weekend, I took some time to go through all of my bathroom drawers and cabinets, taking inventory and throwing away a slew of cosmetic and hair products. I kept finding makeup I had long forgotten about — from Urban Decay palettes to dozens of lipsticks in every shade. The question that kept popping into my mind was, “Is this definitely expired?” This question led me down a rabbit hole of researching the shelf life of different makeup products. 

Yes, makeup does expire, and most products expire much faster than I expected — making me realize I’d been using many well past their prime. I’m not alone, though. According to one study, nearly 98% of participants said that they’ve worn makeup past its expiration date. 

It’s hard to throw away your favorite lipstick or an eyeshadow palette that still looks like it’s in great shape, especially considering how expensive some brands are. However, using products past their expiration date comes with health risks, including increased chances of eye and skin irritation, bacterial growth and possible infection. 

To avoid any complications or reactions, it’s important to practice good makeup hygiene. Here’s a breakdown of when different cosmetic products expire and what can happen if you continue using them past that date. 

Read More: 10 Easy Ways You Can Boost Your Eye Health Every Day

When does makeup expire?

There’s a common misconception that makeup is safe to use past its expiration date, but that isn’t always the case. The potential of breakouts, skin reactions and infection is too high to ignore, so it’s important to be mindful of how long your makeup has been open to avoid health hazards.

Powder products and water-based products have different shelf lives. Powders, like blush or bronzer, are safe to use for up to two years if properly stored and free of any moisture. Water-based makeup products, like liquid foundation, are very susceptible to bacterial growth, giving them a shorter shorter shelf life of up to one year. In general, makeup products last about one year from the date of manufacture before expiring, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, there are variations. Below is a breakdown of how long makeup lasts and when to toss it.

Eye makeup

Here’s the typical shelf life for eye makeup and products:

• Mascara: Three months
• Liquid eyeliner: One to three months
• Pencil eyeliner: One to three months
• Powder eyeshadow: Two years
• Cream eyeshadow: One year

Skin makeup

Here’s the usual lifespan for skin cosmetics:

• Liquid foundation: Six months to one year
• Powder and stick concealer: Two years
• Liquid concealer: One year
• Face powder: Two years
• Powder blush: Two Years
• Cream blush: One year 
• Moisturizer: Six months to one year
• Sunscreen: Six months to one year
• Primer: One to two years

Other makeup and cosmetic products

With so many products applied to or near your skin, it’s crucial to know when they should be thrown out.

• Lipstick: One to two years
• Lip gloss: Six months to one year
• Lip liner: Two years
• Nail polish: Opened nail polish can last two years and unopened can last for over five years 

These are just general rules of thumb, as many products can expire faster if not properly stored or if they’re exposed to moisture. It’s best to discard any products that have changed color, dried out, cracked, separated, clumped, thickened or developed a strange odor.

How to find expiration dates on products

Cosmetics are not required to have expiration dates printed on labels in the US. The good news is that many products do anyway. 

To find them, first examine the label and see if you can find an open jar icon — known as the Period After Opening (PAO) symbol — which will have a number printed inside it. This icon determines the shelf life of the product. For instance, if there’s a 12 printed within the jar icon, the product is safe to use for a year after you’ve opened it. If there’s a 24, the makeup is good for up to two years after opening. 

If you don’t see a PAO symbol, you can use the above recommendations to determine how long you can use the product before it expires.

Risks of using expired makeup

Using expired makeup can result in various health issues and adverse reactions, including:

• Skin irritation: Expired makeup may contain rancid ingredients that can trigger skin redness or irritation.
• Breakouts: Bacteria that contaminate makeup, especially water-based products, can swiftly multiply, contributing to skin breakouts and acne.
• Skin infections: Over time, makeup can become a breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms, potentially leading to infections.
• Eye infections: Bacteria from expired makeup or unclean eye makeup brushes can get in the eyes, causing infections.
• Contact dermatitis: Changes in the chemical composition of expired makeup can result in contact dermatitis, producing red, itchy, scaly or swollen patches on the skin.
• Chemical burns: In extremely rare cases, expired makeup may cause chemical burns.

How to practice good makeup hygiene

With good hygiene and habits, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of being exposed to bacteria, infection or adverse skin and eye reactions. Here are some additional tips to keep your eyes and skin healthy when applying makeup and cosmetic products.

• Always throw out old makeup. 
• Clean your makeup brushes every three to seven days. 
• Clean your Beautyblender or makeup sponges at least once a week and replace them every three months. 
• Wash your hands before applying makeup to minimize exposure to bacteria. 
• Properly store your makeup. Cosmetics break down faster when exposed to heat and moisture, so it’s best to store products in a cool, dark and dry location.
• If a product irritates your eyes or skin, stop using it immediately. 
• Don’t use non-eye makeup around your eyes. You might have seen people using lip liner as eyeliner, but this could introduce bacteria from your mouth to your eyes, so it’s best to avoid this practice. 
• Remove makeup and wash your face thoroughly before bed. Sleeping with makeup on can clog pores, cause breakouts and worsen any existing skin conditions. If you don’t cleanse your eyes and eyelids, you could even end up with eyelid dermatitis or a sty, according to Everyday Health.

For more, explore these 10 sunscreen myths to stop believing and whether tretinoin or retinol is best for your skin.