We’ve all got that one lipstick we love, that’s perhaps getting a little dry around the edges but is *such* a pretty colour. Or that blusher that suits our skin tone so well but stopped looking quite so great after you had to collect the broken pieces from the bottom of your handbag and squash them back in your compact. Old makeup is old, is what we’re trying to say.
But the dangers of old makeup don’t stop at a dried out lip or a less-than-blendable blusher. Hanging on to makeup that’s past its sell-by date can mean bad, bad things for your skin and your health.
Take a Powder
No matter how many times you wash your makeup brushes, reusing old powder products such as foundation or blusher makes them a breeding ground for nasty bacteria. In one recent study, out of several different makeup products, blusher was found to contain the most bacteria including several nasty strains responsible for causing acne and other skin irritations. This is one product that definitely needs replacing as soon as it hits its sell-by date.
Shelf-life: 6-12 months
Eye Sore
Your eyes are prone to all sorts of infections, so it’s pretty scary to find out that mascaras were the second most bacteria-filled product in the test. Any products that you use on your eyes are capable of giving you infections so make sure to replace them when necessary and never, ever share! If you’re particularly susceptible to eye infections, you can always use disposable mascara brushes to keep bacteria-free.
Shelf-life: 1-3 months
Bad Taste
We brush our teeth every day but use the same lipglosses and lipsticks for months on end. Our mouths contain lots of bacteria – whether that’s from eating, kissing or any other activities – and all this bacteria can be transferred into the lip products we use daily. If you want to avoid tummy bugs and gum-damaging nasties, don’t keep hold of lip products any longer than their expiry date.
Shelf-life: 6-12 months
So there you have it, the perfect excuse to stock up on a whole load of new makeup for the new year. You. Are. Welcome.
