When Does Makeup Go Bad? How Long Should You Keep Your Cosmetics?

Constantly, I see all sorts of posts from manufacturers who want to tell us how long to keep our makeup. If you look at your favorite lotions and potions, you'll probably see a little picture like this:

This means you're supposed to ditch this item 12 months after you open it. Doesn't matter how many times you used it, but, magically, exactly 12 MONTHS after you open this item, you're supposed to throw it out.

Okay. I understand why manufacturers do this - if you're thinking along more benign trains of thought, then you're thinking that manufacturers want you to use the freshest products, with the most potent active ingredients. I mean, using old crap on your face can give you infections and acne and you might sprout a second head...and...and...

Let's be real here for a moment: if you're strictly adhering to these 'expiry date' rules, the one group who benefits are the cosmetics companies. You'll constantly be replacing your stuff. Something to keep in mind, however, are the items that have an actual expiration date, like this one:

Generally, when there's an actual date, it's because of the active ingredients in the product. The active ingredients start to degrade as soon as it's bottled, and for optimum results, it should be used before the expiration date. Nothing bad will happen to you if you use an expired product - it just might not be as effective as a fresh item.

The question still remains: How do you REALLY know how long to keep your makeup? Here are my thoughts on the subject:

• Items in 'pencil' form - indefinitely. If you want fresh product, just sharpen the pencil. (Examples: Eye liners, lip liners, lip crayons, chubby eye pencils, some concealers)
• Powder based items - indefinitely. If you use a sponge, or puff, you might want to wash the applicators frequently. Want fresh product? Scrape the top layer off (Examples: eye shadow, blush, face powders)
• Mascara: The cosmetics industry recommends that you toss your mascara every 3 months. That is something I can agree with, but it also goes back to how often you use your mascara. If you use it constantly, then you might consider tossing it sooner than 3 months. Heck, I recommend that you keep your mascara until it starts to clump, or get dry. For the love of all that is holy, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT SPIT IN, OR ADD WATER TO YOUR MASCARA. Introducing bacteria into your mascara is never a good idea, and adding fluid to the tube is asking for an eye infection.
• Liquid/Cream based items:  Generally, these last 6 months to a year. If these items change color, consistency or odor, then dump them - even if it's sooner than 1 year. Conversely, one could argue that even if it's past the one year mark, and it's still looking fresh, and smelling good - feel free to use that item until it gets nasty. (Examples: some eye shadows, some foundations/concealers, some blushes/highlighters, lipsticks, lip glosses, lip balms, etc.)

What it boils down to is this: Use your cosmetics for as long as you feel comfortable - but if it changes color, or texture or starts to smell strange, I would recommend that you stop using it ASAP.