Once you open a cosmetic product, it’s subject to air and bacteria that degrade the ingredients. Like food, cosmetics expire. And old cosmetics are not only ineffective, but can actually cause skin and eye problems. If you haven’t gone through your cosmetics in a while, it’s time to do some serious spring cleaning to make sure your makeup is as safe as possible.

Start by getting rid of anything you know to be over a year old. (If you feel that certain, it’s probably a lot older than that!) Most cosmetics are safe up to about 6 months after opening, 12 if they’ve been stored in a dark, cool place and applied with clean tools (not fingers). Truly natural cosmetics may have shorter expiration dates because they lack harsh chemical preservatives. Be especially careful with mascara or liquid eyeliner. Since they’re applied very close to the eye, they should be replaced every 3-6 months. Conjunctivitis just isn’t worth it. Don’t forget to recycle the containers!

Now go through the rest of your cosmetics and get rid of anything that has changed in smell, texture, or color since you opened it. These changes indicate that your moisturizer or eye cream has officially gone over to the dark side.

What’s left should be relatively new. Label these products with the approximate date or month that you opened them, if you can remember. Getting into the habit of labeling your cosmetics will make identifying expired products much easier.

If you’re not in the habit of cleaning your brushes regularly, now is a great time to give your tools a through scrub in warm, soapy water. Make sure they are totally dry before putting them away. Dirty brushes can spread bacteria around your face and the cosmetics they come in contact with, so they really should be cleaned at least every week or two. Also be sure to scrub the drawer, case, or shelf your brushes and cosmetics are stored in.

Finally, check your remaining cosmetics for toxic ingredients at the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. Since the cosmetics industry is not regulated, suspected carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and irritants are extremely common among name brand and generic products alike. (Check out this BeautyStaffs article on cosmetics safety.) Get educated, then get rid of anything you’re no longer comfortable using.

Your shelves might be looking a little bare now. That means it’s time to pick up new and safer cosmetics. But if you threw a lot of cosmetics away just now, do keep in mind that there’s only so much you can go through in six months and limit your shopping accordingly.

Go back to Makeup Studios Home

Go to Beauty Care Specialists Home