Why You Need to Toss Old Care Products
Not only are all of those past-their-prime grooming products taking up valuable space in your medicine cabinet or makeup bag; using old tools and makeup could actually result in dangerous skin and eye irritations. In fact, a recent UK study found that 90 percent of beauty products—particularly sponge makeup blenders—are riddled with potentially “deadly superbugs,” including E.coli and Staphylococci. Exposure to these unwelcome bacteria (which thrive in damp environments—aka makeup sponges and lipstick tubes) can lead to things like skin infection and blood poisoning, at worst. And when you think about what these things are touching—going from your fingers, to your face/mouth/eyes/pimples, and back to the product again—it’s easy to see why it’s dangerous to keep them for so long.
How to Find the Expiration Date
All this is to say, you need to know exactly what to throw out, and when. To be fair, it’s hard to tell what a product’s expiration date is, because it’s not quite as clear as it is for food products, which are typically stamped with a “sell by” or “best by” date. To make matters more confusing, some products simply don’t suggest any expiration date. So to figure out what can stay and what needs go, here’s a comprehensive breakdown of every toiletry and makeup expiration date. You’ll never use germ-ridden makeup sponges, brow wands, eye cream, or sunscreen ever again. (Promise?) (Psst—for more life-changing cleaning and organizing tips, check out our book, The Real Simple Method to Organizing Every Room.)
Makeup Expiration Dates You Need to Know
Here’s the shelf-life of every cream, powder, and pencil you own, so you know when it’s time to treat yourself to some new stuff.
Concealer: one yearCream blush: one yearEyeliner: three monthsEyeliner pencil: two yearsEyeshadow: one yearFoundation: one yearLip balm: one to five yearsLip gloss: one yearLipstick: two yearsLiquid eyeliner: three monthsMascara: three monthsNail polish: one yearPowder blush: two years
How Often You Should Toss and Replace All Toiletries
Don’t forget to sort through your toiletries, too. Do you even remember how long you’ve had that bottle of shampoo? Probably not. This checklist will help give your bathroom cabinets a fresh start.
Bar soap: 18 months to three yearsBath oil: one yearBody bleaches and depilatories: six monthsBody lotion: two yearsBody wash: three yearsDeodorant: one to two yearsDisposable razors: every five to seven shavesEye cream: one yearFace cream: two yearsHair brush: one yearHair gel: two to three yearsHair spray: two to three yearsLoofah: six monthsMakeup sponge: one monthMedications: check the labelMouthwash: three years from the manufacture dateNail polish remover: indefinitelyPerfume: one to two yearsShampoo and conditioner: two to three yearsShaving cream: two yearsSunscreen: three yearsToothbrush: three monthsTooth-whitening strips: 13 months
Even before your makeup expires, you can avoid exposure to makeup-borne germs and grime by cleaning your favorite applicators, like dirty makeup brushes, between every few uses (once or twice a week should do the trick).
