Regardless of the date, your beauty and makeup supplies shouldn’t be used indefinitely solely based on that date. Dirt, germs and bacteria can thrive in opened products, breaking down their formulas and transferring to your skin. What should be tossed? We’ve got the lowdown on the optimal time-frame to use your beauty basics!

Mascara – 2 to 3 Months
Using mascara past its expiration date can cause severe eye infections. Toss that tube after two to three months. If you notice strange clumping or odors, toss it sooner. Mascara expires faster than many beauty products because air is constantly pushed inside the tube during every use. Bacteria grows quickly, so get rid of any old mascara immediately.

Natural Beauty Products – Up to 6 Months
Any beauty product that's listed as "all natural" should be discarded after six months, once opened as they are formulated without preservatives, these items tend to break down and spoil faster. Remember, even "all natural" can wreak havoc on your skin if used past the expiration date.

Foundation/Concealer – 6 to 12 Months
The expiration date for these products depends on how it is applied. For concealer or foundation wands, the date is usually between three and six months. Twist-tubes and bottles last far longer because, potentially, they're less exposed to bacteria. Keep an eye out for any changes in color or scent, and toss at the first sign of change.

Tip: Apply your foundation and concealer with sponges and/or brushes to limit the spread of germs and make them last longer.

Lipstick – 1 Year
You have up to one year to use up your favorite lipsticks and lip-glosses. However, if you've used a lipstick while sick, toss it immediately. If you carry your favorite lip products in your purse, clean the cap area regularly to remove debris and dirt and help your lippie last longer.

Nail Polish – 1 Year
Nail polish seems like it would last forever, but usually within one year, the polish starts to separate and no longer mixes well. It'll also start to smell slightly off. If you want your polish to look great, get rid of the old.

Eye/Lip Pencils – 12 to 18 Months
As long as you sharpen your pencils regularly, they'll last up to 18 months. If you notice the pencil tip changing color, discard it immediately.

Lotion – Up to 2 Years
Face and body lotions should never be used past two years. Odds are, you'll need to toss them sooner unless in an airless pump due to their possible exposure to bacteria. The moment the consistency or smell begins to change, it's time to say goodbye to the lotion.

Pressed or Loose Powders – Up to 2 Years
Powder products tend to last the longest of your beauty products. From pressed facial powders to powder based eye shadows, you can keep using your favorites for up to two years. However, clean your brushes and other applicators at least once a week to prevent the spread of bacteria.

As a rule of thumb, if your beauty products suddenly have a strange odor or change color or consistency, toss it! If you carefully store and clean you beauty products, you should be able stretch a few extra months out of them. To keep your arsenal up to date, make a plan to sort your supplies twice a year, trashing any questionable products.

By Jen Mathews
DERMAdoctor Staff Writer

This content is sponsored by DERMAdoctor. The author receives compensation for its creation. All content is the legal copyright of DERMAdoctor, Inc, and it may not be used, reprinted, or published without written consent.


The information provided is for entertainment purposes only and is not intended to provide medical, legal or other professional advice.