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Although it may seem like a harmless way to cut corners in your budget, overextending your beauty products’ shelf life can have costly consequences like bacterial or fungal infection, cautions Austin dermatologist and organic makeup store owner Renee Snyder, M.D. Protect yourself using the guidelines Snyder offers for average shelf life limits, and trust your senses to guide you when necessary. Watch out for a changes in texture, scent or color. Rancid smell? All separated? When in doubt, toss it out! There's never been a better excuse to get to the beauty counter for a fresh look when the seasons change.
Lip Color
Lipsticks are mixtures of waxes, oils and pigments. They typically carry a maximum shelf life of two years. Lipsticks may last for years, but you shouldn't use them for more than one, says Dr. Snyder. That top-dollar tube of Chanel is no exception -- your favorite lip shade may still look good, but the quality and safety of the product decreases with time no matter how much it costs.
Eye Color
Every time you pump your mascara wand, you whoosh a puff of germ-filled air into the tube. Even if your brand is formulated with antibacterial agents, you should replace any mascara every three months. Buy yourself a bulk four-pack at the beginning of the year and mark a quarterly reminder on your calendar. This simple trick will save you a bout with pseudomonas aeruginosa, a corneal infection provoked by tainted mascara that causes permanent vision damage. Pencils and eyeshadow should be replaced after six months.
Concealers and Foundation
Foundation expiration dates vary by formulation and surprisingly, packaging. Liquid foundations are best used in three to six months, while cream foundations maintain their quality for four to six months. Foundation packaged in a wide-mouth jar can be exposed to more airborne bacteria and may need to be replaced sooner. When capped and stored properly, a concealer can last up to one year.
Identifying Expiration Dates
Many cosmetics products are labeled with a PAO symbol (a small icon that looks like a jar), says Deborah Hicks, senior director of product development for Arbonne cosmetics. The manufacturer prints a PAO (period after opening) figure, which indicates the approximate number of months the product shelf life will extend after opening. For example, a product with a PAO of 3M opened in October should be tossed before you ring in the new year.
Proper Handling
According to celebrity makeup artist turned healthy beauty expert Todra Payne, using a little extra caution in the use of your cosmetics can help you get more mileage out of your products. Wash your hands, but never put them directly in the product’s jar -- get pump dispenser lids when possible, or use a brush, cotton swab or spatula to remove the product. Get into a weekly routine of cleaning your nondisposable applicators. Leave the mixing to the pros, and never add any of your own ingredients to your cosmetics -- not even water.
Natural and Organic Cosmetic Considerations
Stacya Silverman, celebrity makeup artist and the co-creator of Beauty Alert! -- adhesive labels and an iPhone app that help users manage cosmetic expiration dates -- says many natural products that lack preservatives may require refrigeration. Payne says expiration dates can vary by product. The natural brands she features on her site tend to have a slightly shorter life span than chemical-laden counterparts; mineral foundations and shadows typically offer a shelf life two to three times longer than something that is water-based.
