Do makeup products expire?
We all have that one foundation or mascara knocking around our makeup bags that we seem to have had for years. All very well and good, but the chances of them being out of date are pretty high. Yep, makeup has a use-by date! Here is a run-down of the dates that products expire by.
Foundation- 6-12 months
It’s a tricky one with foundation, what I mean by this is that if you are anything like me, you probably have several foundations. I get darker as the year gets warmer so change up my foundation accordingly, which generally means I have foundations for much longer than a year… (gulp) But to save myself from applying the expired product on my face, I have a good examination of the collection as the seasons change. Here are a few things to look out for when checking your foundation.
Has the colour of the product changed?
Has it been in direct sunlight for a considerate amount of time?
Has it developed a funny or bad odour?
Are there any signs of mould?
If there is a ‘no’ for all these then you are safe to use the product for a couple of months past its use-by date, at your discretion of course.
Concealers- 6-12 months
You’ll find that concealers have a similar date to a foundation. The only difference would be that with some concealers, particularly the ones with a doe-foot applicator. Seeing as some concealers are used to cover any blemishes and spots, it’s of no surprise that the applicator can pick up some bacteria along the way. With the transfer of said bacteria from your face back into the tube usually results in the product becoming contaminated and can then expire quicker.
To avoid this from happening, apply some of the product on the back of a clean hand and use a clean brush to cover the area or blemish.
Lipstick- 2 year
Lipstick is one product that seems to age the best out of the bunch. Having said that, it is still a good idea to store your lipsticks in the good spot, that is away from direct sunlight and heat. Yes, lipstick may have the longest shelf life, but comes in regular contact with your mouth, and let’s face it, mouths are germ-ridden no matter how often you floss.
Cleaning your lipstick off after every application would be the best at keeping it hygienic, but understandably, not everyone has that time!
To keep your lippies looking and working their best, give them a quick spritz with a little alcohol to keep them hygienic every month, remembering to keep an eye out for any discolouration, change in colour and smell as this would mean it was time to toss them.
Mascara 3-6 months
The thing with mascara is that it is the one product that can spread infection the quickest. With the wand contaminating the product in the tube, creating a hive of bacteria. This is most certainly, why you will see professional makeup artists using separate, disposable mascara wands for each eye. Sticking to the expiration date to mascara I would personally consider the most important. To ensure you get the full 6 months out of your mascaras, try your best not to pump the wand into the tube. It’s a habit many of us have, but in doing this you are pushing air into the case and drying out the mascara quicker!
Powder-based products (blusher, eye shadows etc) 1-2 years
You’ll find that powder formula last longer than cream or liquid products. To be honest they are pretty low maintenance out of all the makeup products out there. Store them in a drawer or on your vanity will be a good starting spot. If the formula changes in any way, begins to smell or consistency changes then it’s time for it to go.
If you have particularly oily skin, you may find that powder products, such as blush can develop a hard film on the top, altering the colour. Avoid this by dabbing your makeup brushes off on some tissue to remove any oil residue making its way from your cheeks the product.
Cream formulas (cream blushers etc) – 1 year
Much like foundations, you need to make sure you have stored these products away from sunlight and stop them from over-heating to prevent the formula, colour, texture from changing or developing any unsettling odour. Cream blushers apply better using your fingers, which leads to you spread germs. Always wash your hands before using a cream-based product, or give it a spray of alcohol once a week to keep germs at bay!
Natural products 3-6 months
I understand I have given a rough idea of the life expectancy of natural products, but they are very difficult to store for longer than 6 months, especially when extra care isn’t taken with them! Natural products mean you have not got any preservatives in them like other cosmetics. The best place to keep these products are in the fridge, but be warned, even storing them there won’t stop them ‘going off’ sooner. If you are wanting to try natural products, it’s best to get them in smaller sizes so you have the change to use up all the product before it expires.
So, there you have it, a little guide to the expiration dates on makeup products, I can hear you all running off grabbing your makeup bags and having a clear-out as we speak! If you have any trouble trying to figure out if a product, that seems to be looking good, smelling good and applying well is close to it best before date, another tip is to check out the back of the packaging, you will see a symbol of a little jar with the lid coming off and a number in the middle. This tells you the number of months you have to use the product once it’s open before it expires.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
