Does makeup expire? Short answer: yes! You might even have expired products in your makeup bag right now. But when makeup expires varies dramatically depending on when it’s opened and how it’s stored.
Unopened cosmetics typically have a shelf life of two to three years. After three years, it’s best to toss it, even if it was never opened.
In general, liquid and cream products expire sooner than powders because they contain little to no moisture. Eye makeup also spoils the quickest, and it also dries out when exposed to oxygen.
As makeup gets older it starts to break down and doesn’t perform as well, and expired makeup can also pose a health risk.
The chart below illustrates the average shelf life of different opened makeup products:
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Most cosmetics are stamped with an expiration date in the form of a PAO symbol—meaning Period After Opening—signaling how many months a product is safe to use after opening. The PAO symbol looks like an open jar with the number of months it’s good for, such as this example:
The PAO is typically marked on a product directly, but sometimes it shows up on the outer packaging, which is usually discarded and forgotten about. For this reason, I recommend writing it somewhere on the makeup itself with a permanent marker, along with the date it was opened to better keep track of when it will expire.
It’s possible to get a longer shelf life from your makeup products depending on how often they are used, cared for, and stored.
Ideally, cosmetics should be stored in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight. I know it’s a convenient location, but makeup should never be stored in the bathroom. The moist, steamy air is a breeding ground for mold and bacteria, thereby shortening makeup’s shelf life.
The more a product is opened and used, the more it is exposed to air and contaminating bacteria. Be sure to tightly close all cosmetics after each use.
Never place items such as brushes, applicators, or mascara wands directly on bathroom counters or sinks. Instead, try to get into the habit of using a fresh paper towel as a liner for your makeup station. Also, always wash your hands before applying makeup, and clean brushes and sponges regularly with soap and hot water.
Over time, all cosmetics break down whether opened or not. It’s counterproductive to stock up on multiple of the same product just to get a good deal as they will all eventually deteriorate—even in original packaging—and be useless.
Makeup also losses its effectiveness as it breaks down over time. The color tone and texture can change, and it won’t sit as smoothly on top of the face, lips, or lashes.
Clean, natural, and organic beauty products have an even shorter shelf life since they have little to no preservatives added. However, enough time also renders cosmetic preservatives less effective, which can lead to bacteria forming and the potential for more serious issues.
Clogged pores, breakouts, or even eye infections such as styes, staph, or conjunctivitis can result from bacteria in old and expired makeup. It’s also important to never share makeup and toss all products used after being sick, especially lip products and mascaras or liners used near the delicate eye area.
Mascara has one of the shortest PAOs since it is used close to the eye and is more susceptible to bacteria as it is exposed to air every time the wand is removed. “Pumping” the wand in and out of the tube to collect more product allows more air to enter, drying the contents faster, so a twisting motion is best for application. It’s best to replace mascara every three months to be safe, but it definitely should not be used for longer than six months.
Liquid or gel eyeliners, like mascaras, are used close to the eye and are therefore prone to spreading bacteria. These liners should also be replaced every three months, or six months max. Pencil liners have a substantially longer life due to regular sharpening and can last up to two years.
Liquid foundations are water-based and therefore susceptible to bacterial contamination. They should be replaced every six months to one year. A sure sign that liquid or cream foundation is past its prime is a noticeable separation in the layers of water and oil or the color being off.
Powder formulas last a bit longer; up to 18 months once opened.
As with foundation, concealers in a powder or stick form lasts up to two years while a liquid formula needs to be replaced after one. A visual cue concealer has gone bad is a change in color.
Pressed and loose face powders, as well as powder blushes, have a longer shelf life due to their dry formulation. They can easily last for two years or more if stored in a dry cool space.
Signs of break-down are a change in texture—such as hardening—or a noticeable difference in application consistency. Cream and liquid blush should be replaced after one year due to the dewy formulation and because they are often applied with fingers.
Eyeshadow is similar to blush, but it has a shorter life span due to its proximity to the eyes. This can cause an increased risk of transferring bacteria, especially when applied using the fingertips.
Cream-based shadows tend to grow bacteria quicker than powders and should be replaced every six months. Powder shadows can last one to two years with proper care.
Most lipsticks are formulated without water (which breeds bacteria) and with wax (which bacteria has a hard time penetrating). As a result, lipstick has a PAO of up to two years. However, toss any lipsticks sooner if the texture or smell changes as oils in these products can go rancid.
Lip gloss contains less wax than lipstick, and since it comes in a tube with a wand (like mascara) exposing it to air, it becomes compromised sooner. Therefore, gloss has a shorter PAO of one year.
In addition to paying attention to the PAOs on your makeup, it is important to regularly inspect your cosmetics for signs of spoilage. A simple look, smell, or touch can be all that’s needed to tell you it’s time to toss.
Changes in smell, color, texture, noticeable separation or drying, and how a product feels and performs are all indications that it has probably expired.
Dry, flakey mascara? Toss it. Clumpy foundation or lip gloss? Toss it. Rock hard powder compact? Toss it.
Bottom line: when in doubt, throw it out!
For questions, concerns, or article ideas, feel free to reach out to our eCosmetics Beauty Editor directly at beauty@ecosmetics.com
