When it comes to our precious cosmetics, many makeup afficionados and self confessed product junkies among us, are just 23 blush palettes away from being cast on TLC’s “Hoarding- Buried Alive”. Even when it is obvious that our massive collections of beloved lipsticks have all but shriveled, and when that electric blue mascara is now officially older than our longest relationship, we still have a tendency to hold onto old makeup. Why? Perhaps it’s our inner Budget Queen, who demands that we squeeze every last drop of product, to get our money’s worth of the beauty benefits we were so freely promised on the label. Maybe we have been so focused on buying into the newest makeup and cosmetic trends that we totally lost track of how many products we actually had, and now, we are the proud owner of 16 gold highlighters in the shade “Baecation”.
It could even be that you got near expired or expired makeup on a hard to miss sale. Or maybe they were a hand me down from your well meaning but cosmetically handicapped cousin who didn’t realize that she was more Mocha and less Cocoa, in that foundation line you both love. Far be it from you to pass up a good chance to stock up on your favourite cosmetics and save money at the same time! However, no matter our reasons, hanging onto old and expired makeup is not good for our health, and can even be dangerous. How?
So unpretty:
Repeated use of old foundation, eyeliners, mascaras and other eye makeup are prime offenders for causing skin and eye infections. This is because harmful dirt, oils and bacteria from our dead skin cells are repeatedly transferred from the old makeup, to our face, back to the product…. and back to our face. Repeat this process a few hundred times, and you have just earned yourself a good ol’ fashioned acne breakout, allergic skin reaction, or conjunctivitis aka ‘pink eye’. At the grosser end of the spectrum; using expired makeup can expose you to Herpes Simplex aka ‘night fever or cold sore, E. Coli bacteria, or even a Staph (short for staphylococcus) infection; which is one of the worst contagious skin infections one can get from contaminated makeup; and that’s not pretty!
Old Makeup Loses it’s Mojo:
In case you have convinced yourself that there are still a few uses left out of your 5 year old “Wet & Wild” makeup collection, please note that makeup that has outlived its expiry date loses its consistency and effectiveness over time. The active ingredients in these products become compromised, and the breakdown of molecules can cause powders to become cakey and ashy; a far cry from the luminous look, that is consistent with a newer product. Lipsticks may also dry out and even harden after the recommended time, and so won’t look as emollient as its original formula. Dated lip balms may also contribute to cracking and peeling of the delicate surface of the lips, while mascaras may become clumpy, flaky and dry. Prescription acne treatment, toners, sunscreens and lotions can lose their level of protection in cases where there is an active ingredient such as an acid, or SPF, In short, expired makeup can cause an otherwise seamless makeup application, to become an epic fail!
So, just how long is too long to store our makeup? Yaquema Sewell Store Manager/ Beauty Advisor of EC Makeup Bar (Shop 20-21 Little Premier Plaza) has a few recommendations:
• Whenever you purchase a cosmetic product, always check for the expiration date. Also examine the product carefully to ensure that the safety seal is still intact, and that it has not been previously opened.
• Pro Tip: On the back of each cosmetic product, there is the emblem of a small jar, that will have a number (usually 3, 6 or 12). This number, stands for the time span within which the product is still good for use, and applies from the moment the seal on the product is opened. So, for example, a product that has the jar with the number 9 on it, is only good for use within 9 months of its being opened.
• Counterfeit products do a number on our skin and even our health, as some may have skin irritants or cancer- causing agents. As such, Ms. Sewell, urges caution when purchasing makeup as she emphatically advises that we should “only buy makeup from reputable cosmetic providers”. If that product emblem looks sketchy, or is selling way below market price…and seems too good to be true, it probably is. • When it doubt, throw it out!