Ditch It!
Spring Cleaning Your Makeup for Health’s Sake
Out with the old, in with the new.
Along with the season comes the spring cleaning of your makeup bag, because makeup can go “bad.” In time, some cosmetics and their containers may grow bacteria which may cause serious infections, especially in the eyes. The risk of infection increases if you share makeup with others, so never share your makeup.
Beauty and health experts recommend the following expiration dates for cosmetics; but if your products start to smell rancid, separate, or stop working as it should, ditch them right away, even if it’s before the expiration date.
2-3 Months
- Mascara
- Face peels and masks
- Nail file
- Acne pads
- Loofah
6 Months to 1 Year
- Liquid eyeliner
- Concealer
- Liquid foundation
- Acne creams and washes
- Eye cream
- Face wash
- Serum
1 to 1-1/2 Years
- Lip gloss
- Cream eyeshadow
- Face cream (jar)
- Sunscreen
- Shower gel
- Bar soap
- Eyebrow gel
2 Years
- Lip and eye pencils
- Lipstick
- Nail polish
- Powder eyeshadow and blush
- Powder foundation
- Body lotion (jar)
- Scrubs (jar)
3 Years
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Body lotion (pump)
- Perfume
- Hairspray
