Do the Expiration Dates Really Matter?
As we slowly get acquainted with the year of 2022, it’s also a great time to check whether that lotion you have been using for months and months hasn’t expired…well…perhaps a year ago!
How certain should we be before tossing our beauty and skincare products? Maybe you would consider eating olives from a jar that certainly says its days are over, yet it has spent all its time in the refrigerator and it looks and smells ok. Or maybe you would never! But what about your eyelash serum? Or mascara?
As to our makeup products, liquid and cream products will expire faster than their fellow powder-based friends such as highlighter or eyeshadow.
Water-based products (mascara, lip-glosses etc.) are more likely to promote bacteria growth.
Why bother?
A report by researchers at Aston University in the United Kingdom, published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Applied Microbiology, found that an overwhelming majority of cosmetics are contaminated with E. coli, staphylococcus and other risky germs, which can infect your skin and eyes.
In extreme cases, these infections could spread to the blood and cause a life-threatening infection. More commonly, lingering bacteria can cause acne or irritation.
And knowing how sensitive our skin and eye area is after a certain age, it actually gets even more important to follow the expiration date suggestions as we age.
They usually hide under a symbol that looks somewhat like this:
It means that the product is safe to use for X months after opening.
How often should I change my mascara?
Short answer is – every 3 months or so. As mascara is something that we use on our lashes, being so near to the eye, it’s extremely important it isn’t full of bacteria that can cause irritation or any infections.
It also tends to dry out and become clumpy after a certain time of frequently using it, so it’s no good either way!
Of course, for some of our customers VolumeCare+ mascara lasts longer and keeps its perfect formula, yet sometimes it’s a question of hygiene. You don’t use your toothbrush for a year even if it looks ok, do you? I hope not, haha!
We absolutely understand the struggle of buying mascara so frequently and also when it isn’t that on the cheaper side.
We have tried to make your life a bit easier and joyful by adding a subscription option for our products.
It means that you can create an order (e.g. buying VolumeCare+ mascara) and by choosing the auto-renewal subscription option – decide whether you want a new mascara every month, two, three or four months.
AND! It costs 15% less than buying it as a one-time purchase. Win-win if you ask me…
Eyeliner:
As mentioned previously, this will depend on the consistency of your product. Liquid eyeliner will be perfect for around 3 months after opening, yet an eye liner pencil could be your companion for even as long as 2 years! It also varies from company to company, so check the label or shoot them an email!
Foundation & Concealer:
Again, something that we put directly all over our face, which means that hygienic precautions are of highest importance.
For a regular foundation about a year should be enough until you run out of it or have to toss the tube. As for concealers, it’s the same!
For longer shelf time and better hygiene, clean your brushes and sponges regularly!
Eyeshadow & Lipstick:
A regular lip balm can serve from a year to even 5, if you even have it by that time, I’d lose mine in a week. Lipstick could work for a period of 2 years, lip gloss – a year or so. And same with your eyeshadow palette – about a year and then you can decide yourself.
It’s also important to try judging by yourself. Perhaps a product should last 6 months after opening, but it starts to smell weird or change consistency or colour after the 4th month. Welcome your critical thinking and you should be good to go!
Blush & Powder:
Cream blush (which I personally find the best for mature skin) should be good for about a year, whereas powder blush or anything powder could work for as long as 2-3 years.
Lotions & Creams:
Sealed and unopened moisturizer bottles should be good for three years. If, however, you notice changes in your moisturizer's smell or texture before the two- or three-year mark, toss it.
Using lotion past its expiration date isn't likely to cause any harm... The active ingredients in your lotion won't do their job and can leave you with less hydration and other intended benefits, but nothing major should happen, although we do not recommend proof-testing it.
I have many toiletries in my bathroom, I now need to know everything!
These are the commonly set ground rules as to how long our bathroom tubes and tools should last (maximum) in case we haven’t finished them before the set mark. To begin with, check the label of your product, manufacturers should know this better than a blog for mature women.
Here are the estimates:
- Makeup sponge: 1 month
- Mouthwash: 3 years from manufacture date
- Perfume: 1 to 2 years
- Sunscreen: 3 years
- Shaving cream: 2 years
- Shampoo and Conditioner: 2 to 3 years
- Toothbrush: 3 months
- Tooth-whitening strips: 13 months
- Eyelash Serum: 2 years unopened, 4 to 6 months once opened.
All in all, it is a bit of a tricky one. We would still recommend sticking to reading the labels and following the instructions written there. It is still considered our health, so being mindful never hurt nobody.
Stay safe, ladies!
Kate
