Just How Old Is Your Makeup? Use This Chart to See if It's Time to Toss It! by Cheryl Leahy

Women's Health
7 years ago

Just How Old Is Your Makeup? Use This Chart to See if It's Time to Toss It!

Confession time. I recently found some eyes hadow from my high school in my makeup collection. Since I am in my 30s, this would almost qualify as vintage. I chucked it, and proceeded to sort through the rest of my makeup. How long does makeup last, though? 

I did a little research and came up with general guidelines (see image below) to go by since the FDA doesn't require cosmetic manufacturers to include an expiration date on their products. The issue with old makeup is it can harbor bacteria, which can lead to eye or skin infections. So err on the side of safety and swap out your cosmetics!

Donna John
I know what I'm doing today! Thanks, Cheryl Leahy !
Renee
I am so guilty of keeping makeup a lot longer than I should! No more though! Thanks for sharing!
Rachel W. Lewter
I just tossed everything. It's really expensive to replace everything again. Poison Ivy contamination in your makeup is horrible.

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