Beauty Products & Expiration Dates: What’s in your Makeup Bag?
How you treat your skin matters, as well as the products you use. You may not need to visit a dermatologist to figure it out. If you prefer natural products, over the counter products, or prescribed agendas it makes no difference. There are a lot of makeup products available in stores and online. It’s no secret, a lot of beauty trends are worth trying. Taking on a new look or mastering a sleek technique never gets old. So, it’s easy to get sucked in to every new trending beauty hack that’s viral these days. Whatever your preference, there are plenty of options. It’s okay to try new things, however, every real beauty knows the best beauty routines recommend doing what works best to meet the needs of your natural beautiful skin.
To often many of us (including myself) has been busy and absent minded about something so simple such as product expiration dates. While it may not be at the top of your list of things to do today, when you get a moment take time to familiarize yourself with what’s going on in your makeup bag. It may be time to do a little housekeeping. This is a basic overview of a few common reminders that can often be forgotten or overlooked when it comes to the shelf life of your favorite go to skin care products.
Depending on the type of product and how it's stored, the shelf life of makeup varies quite a bit. Here's a quick breakdown of average expiration timelines once opened:
Mascara & liquid eyeliner: 3–6 months
Foundation & concealer: 12–18 months
Lipstick & lip gloss: 12–24 months
Powder products (blush, bronzer, eyeshadow): 18–24 months
Cream products (blush, highlighter): 12–18 months
Pencil liners (lip or eye): up to 2 years if sharpened regularly
Makeup sponges: 1–3 months, depending on use and cleaning habits
Take your time and don’t get frustrated if some of the product labels are not straight forward to decode and understand. A little research goes a long way. Here’s a hint: search product name + product expiration date. People will tell you beauty is more than skin deep. But it does start with the skin. First impressions are important so although looks aren’t everything, we can’t ignore that how we treat our skin matters. Work on maintaining your skins health and elasticity. Cleansing your skin daily, sometimes isnt enough. Hydration is a great tool and can be achieved in multiple ways. Eating healthy can also work to help you detox your skin. Here’s a great tip to remember, unopened makeup can last up to 2–3 years if stored in a cool, dry place, but natural or preservative-free products may expire sooner. A good rule of thumb: if it smells off, changes texture, or separates, it’s time to let it go.
