A great way to keep yourself entertained while there is load shedding & time to clean out before the new year!
Raise your hand if you've had a tube of definitely expired mascara knocking around in your makeup bag for over a year now. Or how about a lipstick you've been swiping on for a decade? Unless you routinely set aside time to clean out your cosmetics stash, it's all too easy to keep makeup, toiletries, grooming tools, and medications long after their expiration dates. We're all guilty of it—but it's time to make a change and it's one thing to add to your things to do whilst load-shedding.
I've put together four tell-tale signs that it’s time to replace your old makeup and skincare.
1. It’s past the expiration date.
The most immediate sign is, of course, if you’ve passed the recommended timeline stamped on the side of your product. It usually appears in the form of a number and the letter M which stands for months inside the shape of a jar.
Known as the Period-After-Opening, the PAO symbol indicates roughly how long you can safely use an item once it’s been opened.
These “best by” timelines vary by product type, but all cosmetics will inevitably reach their limit. Sunscreens and fragrances typically last the longest, sometimes even up to three years. Eyeshadow palettes have an equally long shelf life but should be discarded after two to three years.
When it comes to skin creams, primers, and foundations, as an expert I would say they’re generally good for about a year, but mascaras should be replaced every three months. These timelines can be affected by a number of things, however, including how the product was stored, its ingredients—for example, do they have preservatives or are they all-natural?—and/or how quickly they may rack up bacteria, based on where they’re used or how they’re applied. Makeup brushes in particular are notorious havens for bacteria; a recent study found that they’re dirtier than most average toilet seats, despite being quite easy to clean.
If you’re stressing over how to keep track of it all, I would suggest it’s because I'm a type A personality and clinically OCD create a spreadsheet, including when each item was bought and opened, and when it should (ideally) be replaced. For me having a lot of products makes it hard to tell which ones are about to expire, so having a little list to check every once in a while, will make it easier.
2. The consistency has changed.
If your product starts to dry out or seems watered down, becomes sticky or chalky, or if the different ingredients start to visibly separate, those are all sure-fire signs that it’s time to replace it.
3. It’s discoloured.
Much like the subtle changes you look for in a fruit or vegetable that’s going bad, any signs of discoloration or changes in smell or texture are signs that your products need to be replaced
While this probably seems obvious for something where the color is imperative, like your eyeshadow or eyeliner, it could be more difficult to pick up on with certain skincare products, like a moisturizer or priming serum. You may not even take notice of it if that particular item dispenses a small amount out of a pump, or if you’re scooping a substance into your hands and then rubbing it right into your face.
4. It smells funny.
A fragrant product may naturally start to lose some of its potency as it ages, but if something scentless starts to smell—or worse, if a scented product gives off a funky odor instead of its usual aroma—it’s better to be safe than sorry. chuck it.
What are the biggest factors in a skin-care product's longevity?
Water-based products, including liquids, creams, and lotions, are more prone to spoilage from bacterial growth if the preservative system isn't strong enough or if the product is constantly coming into contact with the user, like putting your finger in a jar, This doesn't mean oil-based products are off the hook; he says they can oxidize over time, causing color and odor changes that are unrelated to bacteria.
The right packaging can help a product last longer. Still, one simple thing may play a bigger role in expiration than anything else: The clock really starts ticking once the package has been opened, because it begins to oxidize.
Do some skin-care ingredients go bad sooner than others?
Fans of products made with mostly natural ingredients like myself may find themselves purchasing replacement products more often. Natural oils and butter can oxidize and develop changes in odor and appearance pretty quickly if not formulated with an effective antioxidant.
Most products have preservatives in them to keep them fresher longer, but even preservatives lose their effectiveness over time.
How can you tell if a skin-care product has expired without a clearly-stated expiration date?
Not all skin-care products clearly state an expiration date. In fact, it's only required when a batch code that identifies the manufacturing date of the product is not printed on the packaging
Most products are stability-tested to ensure that they will last for two to three years unopened on the shelf. Subtle changes in color, texture, or scent are big giveaways that your product might be expired, and if you notice any discoloration or separation, it's time to throw it away
Is it ever safe to use skin-care products that are past a stated expiration date?
In general, it's best to discard products that are past their expiration date. An expiration date is an educated estimate, however, so there's always a possibility that your product may keep on keeping on beyond the date on the packaging. Some products may actually last longer and will still be effective for longer than that.
Ingredients break down over time and chemicals could become altered, so those with particularly sensitive skin might develop a mild rash simply due to the change in chemical composition. And there's one kind of product that you should never, ever risk using past its prime: Sunscreen absolutely expires and should never be used past its expiration date.
Are there any skin-care products that can be used indefinitely?
Specific ingredients can vary, but in general, once an ingredient is added to a product, it will degrade over time anywhere from one to three years. There are exceptions to that, however, such as silicones, powders, and synthetic fragrances that can last for 10 years or longer.
One product you can feel free to keep around is Vaseline or any petroleum jelly. For everything else, if you're unsure how old something is, the general rule is to toss anything that has separated, clumped, thickened, or thinned.
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