How long should makeup last?
Dermatologist Sherry Ingraham said all products including: powders, moisturizers and sunscreen are made to last three years unopened. Once you open them, the potency starts to decline and bacteria begins to grow
Her suggestion: "Write the date you open the product the day you open it and a year later I would go ahead and toss it because it's probably not as effective either,"
Dr Ingraham said products that come in jars are more susceptible to contamination.
"You're putting your hand in the pot, your hand to your face, you need to be a little bit more cautious. It could last up to a year, but if the product starts to smell or separate in anyway, toss it out."
Mascara has an even shorter lifespan: three to six months.
"Because it is open to the environment, you're touching your eye, you're putting it back into the tube. It's just a well of bacteria, so if you notice anything smelling or if it clumps at all, it's time to go," said Ingraham.
Pressed eyeshadow can last a year or more as long as you don't wet it, but toss it out immediately if you get an eye infection.
"It's just not worth it. (The bacteria) can literally stay in those products and you can reinfect yourself."
Clean your brushes every two weeks to remove bacteria that can spread infections or cause acne.
"Every two weeks take a little shampoo, wash it and lay them flat to dry," she said.
Cleansers and removers are fine to clean them with too, as long as you remember to use them!
For natural or organic products, the lifespan is half the time, so six months for foundations and powders and no more than three for eye makeup. She said that's because organic products don't have the preservatives to kill bacteria. Also, where you store expensive face creams might be compromising the integrity of the product.
"Think about the active ingredients in products, especially vitamins. Vitamin C, antioxidants, those need to be kept in a cool, dry place, not in a hot, warm bathroom. You might even want to put some of these products in your refrigerator," Dr. Ingraham advised. "You really want to cherish and take care of those nice beauty products so they can take care of you."
