Let’s be honest…women are hoarders! Maybe not in totality, but when it comes to beauty products, yes, yes we are. We want them all and we will never throw away something we love!

But did you know that beauty products expire? Yes, I know…heartbreaking! They have recently (in the past couple years) started putting the suggested use dates on make-up. You may see a little open jar symbol with a number in it. Like this…

From a bottle of lotion. Yes, even open lotion expires!

 It’s called a Period After Opening date, or PAO. And it means exactly what it sounds like. This product is guaranteed by the manufacturer for 12 months after opening. After that, you should toss it.

But it’s lotion. Why toss a perfectly good bottle? Why would it expire anyway?  Well, I will tell you why.

Beauty products are made with all kinds of oils, vitamins, chemical beautifiers, blah blah blah…and preservatives. These preservatives allow the oils, vitamins, and other delicate compounds to have a longer shelf life.

So once the preservatives reach their expiry date, they loose their efficaciousness and the other compounds in the product begin to breakdown and are not as effective as when they are fresh. Are you thinking “big deal. I can still use it”?

Bottle of hair shine serum

Well ponder this: preservatives provide other benefits as well. Such as preventing the growth of mold, bacteria, and other microorganisms! Yuck!

So that tube of your favorite mascara that is well past it’s prime could be a basin of staphylococcus that you are putting right on your eye! The foundation that you’ve had for 2 years could be full of bacteria that you are just slathering on your face! Breakout anyone?

Now are you curious how long these products last and when you should throw them out? Here are some guidelines.

First, if it has a PAO, or an expiration date, then go by that. You would need to know when you opened the product, so it would be smart to write the mo/yy on the bottle with a sharpie. Or write it on little round stickers and stick that to the product.

If your product doesn’t have an expiry date or PAO, then here are some common “use by” rules.

1. Anything that is “preservative-free” is going to go quickly * 3-6 months.
2. Mascara * 3 months. Throw it away when it gets dry, and never add water to dry mascara
3. Cream, liquid, and stick foundations, concealer * 6-12 months. If it separates, toss it.
4. Lip sticks, lip gloss, eye and lip pencils * 2 years. If your lipstick is dry, or your gloss is gooey, then it’s time to toss it! (don’t forget to regularly clean your pencil sharpener with alcohol!)
5. Liquid eye liners * 3 months. Cream eye shadows and cream blush * 6 months
6. Powders (including eye shadow, pressed powder foundation, blushes, mineral make-up, etc) * 2 years. Powder has less water content, so can last longer. Application brushes, however, should be cleaned regularly in hot soapy water or brush cleaner and allowed to dry completely. And sponges should be replaced regularly. 
7. Nail polish (yep, this too!) * 1-2 years. If is gooey or stringy, then it’s time to toss. 
8. Face creams, acne creams, and other products for anti-aging * 6 months, 12 months if it’s in a pump bottle
9. Face lotions and sunscreens * 12 months
10. Hand and body lotions * 2 years. If the color or scent changes then it’s time to toss. 
11. Hair products (including shampoo, conditioner, leave-in, styling products. Excluding hairspray) * 12 months. Hairspray can last 2-3 years. If the scent changes, or your notice it’s not holding as well, then it’s time to replace it!
12. Perfume * 2-10 years. A change in scent will tell you it’s time to go. 
13. Shower gel/body soap, *12 months. If you use a loofah, it should be replaced ever 3 months. 
14. Facial/body scrub * 2 years. Face Mask * 12 months. Face wash * 12 months

How to get the best from your beauty products!