How to Know when Makeup Has Expired

Co-authored by Janet Miranda

Last Updated: April 22, 2021

In our excitement to try the latest and greatest products, some of our cosmetics get tossed aside until we dig them up later and wonder if they're still safe to use. The Federal Drug Administration does not require expiration dates for makeup, which can make it even more unclear if you should toss or keep your makeup. However, over time, the molecules in makeup break down and can transform into different chemicals that could damage your skin. Knowing when your makeup expires will prevent unintentional damage and keep your skin healthy and glowing. There are some general guidelines for storing, keeping, and tossing makeup that are fairly easy to remember and implement.^{[1]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Storing Makeup Properly

1
Store makeup in a cool, dry place. Makeup should be stored in an interior closet, such as a linen closet, away from an outside wall. This is because exposure to warmth and sun can dry out the products. Too much warmth can also cause the natural oils to separate from the rest of the product, leading the makeup to expire.
2
Avoid storing makeup in the bathroom. Although storing your makeup in the bathroom can be convenient, it is not necessarily the best idea. The bathroom has high levels of airborne bacteria that can contaminate your makeup and beauty products. The high exposure to bacteria can cause makeup products to expire sooner than they ordinarily would.^{[2]
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- Store makeup in your closet or a linen closet outside of the bathroom to keep it cool and dry.
- You can store makeup in a dresser, set of drawers, or chest as an alternative.
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3
Clean makeup brushes regularly. An important aspect preserving makeup is keeping your makeup brushes clean. This will prevent bacteria from spreading and cross-contaminating your other products.
- Wet the bristles of your brush.
- Gently rub in brush cleaner or shampoo. Brush cleaners can be purchased at Sephora, Ulta, or drugstores in your area.
- Rinse the brush.
- Squeeze the excess water from the bristles of the brush.
- Set the brush aside on a towel to air dry. It is important to let the brush dry on its side so that the water doesn’t get into the glue and loosen the bristles at the base of the handle.
- Brushes used for concealer and foundation should be cleaned at least once a week.^{[3]
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- Clean brushes that are used for eye makeup at least twice a month.
- All other brushes can be washed once a month.
4
Pour out instead of dipping in. When using liquid makeup, pour a small amount of makeup, as much as you intend to use, onto a makeup mixing palette. This will keep the bacteria out of the makeup bottle.
- Set the mixing palette on a flat surface.
- Pour a small amount of the desired product onto the surface of the palette, taking care not to set it too close to the edge.
- Dip your makeup brush into the product and apply it to your face (or wherever you are using the makeup).

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Knowing Makeup Shelf Life

1
Learn the shelf life of face makeup. Generally speaking, liquid foundation and concealers last for six months and the powder versions can last for two years. This is because bacteria cannot grow where there is no water, and powder makeup does not generally contain water.^{[4]
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2
Understand expiration dates for eye makeup. Similar to foundations, liquid and powder products have different expiration dates with powder makeup generally lasting much longer than liquids. Since these products come into contact with your eyes, which can be sensitive and vulnerable to bacteria, they should not be used past their expiration dates.
- Mascara should be tossed after three months, due to it being an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. The tube is a dark, moist environment, which can foster the growth of harmful bacteria.^{[5]
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- Liquid and gel eyeliners should be thrown out after three months.
- Cream eyeshadows should be used for no longer than six months.
- Pencil eyeliner and powder eye shadows can be tossed after two years.
3
Know when to toss lipstick. Lipstick and gloss can last for two years and lip liners can last even longer than that, since sharpening them removes the old surface.^{[6]
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- Liquid lipstick expires after six months, due to the close contact with the mouth.
4
Record expiration dates. When you purchase makeup, use a permanent marker to write the date that you purchased the makeup on the outside of the packaging. You can also use a notebook to write down the purchase date or use a spreadsheet to record purchase history. This will help you keep track of what you purchased and when, preventing you from accidentally using expired makeup.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Tossing Expired Makeup

1
Toss makeup that has changed texture. It is often apparent when makeup has expired, as it often dries out and/or becomes clumpy. When this happens, the makeup will not apply as smoothly. Be sure to dispose of makeup that changes texture, as it can affect the quality of your skin due to the breakdown of the chemicals and the bacteria that grows.

EXPERT TIP

Daniel Vann
Licensed Aesthetician
Daniel Vann is the Creative Director for Daredevil Cosmetics, a makeup studio in the Seattle Area. He has been working in the cosmetics industry for over 15 years and is currently a licensed aesthetician and makeup educator.

Daniel Vann
Licensed Aesthetician

Throw out your makeup when it changes, even if it's before the expiration date. Makeup artist Daniel Vann says: "When your makeup expires, you're going to notice that it doesn't work the same. It might break apart or change colors, or you may notice it doesn't stay on as long. Any of those are indications that you need to replace that item, regardless of the expiration date."
2
Do not keep makeup that has changed color. If you have noticed a change of color in your makeup, dispose of that particular item. Over time, the product can break down and separate, causing it to change color. When this happens, it is not likely that it will apply smoothly anyway, so you should be inclined to get rid of it.
3
Throw out makeup that has an odd smell. Any makeup that has an odd smell should be an immediate red flag. An unusual smell generally indicates that the chemical composition of the product has changed and that it has expired.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Janet Miranda
Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 11 February 2021.}
- Periodically sniff your makeup to ensure that it does not have an unusual smell. If it does, toss it immediately.

Expert Q&A

Question

How long does it take for foundation to expire?

Janet Miranda
Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist
Janet Miranda is a Professional Hair Stylist, Makeup Artist, and the Founder of Be.NYLA. With over 15 years of experience, Janet specializes in makeup and hair for advertising, commercial, editorial, runway, special events, television, and videos. She was trained at Vidal Sassoon Academy and with top hair and makeup artists including MAC Cosmetics and Redken. Janet has worked five seasons of New York Fashion Week and one season on Project Runway. She continues to add brands to her growing client list including Armani Exchange, Neutrogena, and Pantene. Janet’s work has been featured on CBS, Brides Magazine, 100 Layer Cake, Style Me Pretty, Green Wedding Shoes, Ireland Image Brides Magazine, and Elle Japan.

Janet Miranda

Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Liquid foundation has a shelf life for up to 2 years, while powder can last around 3 years.
Question

Does makeup go out of date?

Janet Miranda
Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist
Janet Miranda is a Professional Hair Stylist, Makeup Artist, and the Founder of Be.NYLA. With over 15 years of experience, Janet specializes in makeup and hair for advertising, commercial, editorial, runway, special events, television, and videos. She was trained at Vidal Sassoon Academy and with top hair and makeup artists including MAC Cosmetics and Redken. Janet has worked five seasons of New York Fashion Week and one season on Project Runway. She continues to add brands to her growing client list including Armani Exchange, Neutrogena, and Pantene. Janet’s work has been featured on CBS, Brides Magazine, 100 Layer Cake, Style Me Pretty, Green Wedding Shoes, Ireland Image Brides Magazine, and Elle Japan.

Janet Miranda

Professional Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Makeup can expire, so check if its smell has changed from when you first used it.
Question

Can I keep using it if it has no such problems?

Community Answer

It would not be ideal, as it could possibly cause unwanted breakouts, redness, swelling and infections.

Warnings

Do not share makeup or use makeup that belongs to someone else. This can spread germs and disease.

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Toss any makeup that was used during an eye infection.

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