The products you use daily unfortunately won’t last forever. Many makeup products and skincare products have shorter shelf lives than you would expect. Using expired makeup and skincare products on your face can cause irritation, infections, or rashes. Here are some products that you should keep an eye out for and what to look for when they expire.
Most products have a small icon that includes a number of how long the product lasts. If the icon has a 6, then its shelf life is 6 months, and a 12 means a full year. The Skin Institute uses clean and nonexpired products in our client services and teaches all estheticians about the importance of learning about expired makeup.
Mascara
The lifespan and healthy usage time of mascara are around 3 to 6 months. Putting the mascara wand close to your eye means that expired makeup around your eye could lead to pretty serious eye infections.
Some indicators to look for if you are unsure about how long you have had the tube are the smell and texture of the mascara. If it has separated and become clumpy, it is best to throw it out. To be on the side of caution, change your mascara with the seasons, which are around 3-month intervals.
Sunscreen
Using expired sunscreen may be just as ineffective as not wearing any at all. Sunscreen is required by the FDA to last at full strength for 3 years, If you can’t remember when the container was purchased, you can check for separation or if the sunscreen has spoiled. Rather than chance skin damage, buying a fresh bottle can protect you from the sun’s harmful rays.
Storing your sunscreen in a cooler place and ensuring that the cap is on or sealed can help prevent leaks and oil separation. The long shelf life of sunscreen makes it easy to never run out.
Eyeshadow
Using past the expiration date on any eye product can be dangerous. Sensitive places like your lash line and eyelids can be more susceptible to bacteria and infections. Eyeshadow has an expiration date between 24-36 months after you purchase them.
Vitamin C Serum
Serums of all kinds (retinol, AHA, etc.) should only be used for one year exactly in order for them to work effectively for your skin. Vitamin C serum often only lasts for around 6 months though. One way to tell if your serums are expired is the changing color or weird smell. Factors like temperature, light, and humidity can cause skin care products to expire faster so if you want to keep your skincare products for longer, store them in the fridge.
Moisturizer
Moisturizer is one of those products that can last longer when unopened. If your moisturizer bottle is unopened, it can last two to three years. Opened moisturizer can last up to one year. If you feel like your moisturizer is not giving you the results you want, it may be best to trade it out for a new one.
Unopened Vs. Used
Some makeup and skincare products last longer if they are unopened, but not all of them are safe. Sunscreen and moisturizers can last longer when they are unused. When properly stored and sealed, makeup that is unopened should last for two to three years. Creamier products that contain oils can start to separate or turn sooner than others. Expired makeup and skincare are a waste of money if it does not give you the results you want.
Learn More With The Skin Institute
Here at The Skin Institute, we teach a variety of esthetician skills, and our students learn about the ins and outs of skin. Using expired makeup and skin care products can be harmful to your skin, so we work hard to educate our clients and students on how to handle these products.
Located in St. George, The Skin Institute teaches esthetician and master aesthetics courses for those who love working with people and skin. Our school has an in-house medical director and master’s esthetician. Students can learn botox injections, laser treatments, and fillers from Dr. Patel and learn to wax, facial techniques, body treatments, and professional makeup from Mary Ronnow, our founder. If you are looking to gain your esthetician license, look no further than The Skin Institute.
