Spring Clean Your Makeup Bag This Weekend
While you’re spring cleaning your living space and switching your closet over to your summer wardrobe, don’t forget to spring clean your makeup bag.
Makeup has expiry dates.
Yes, your expensive cosmetics do have an expiry date. It’s a good idea to include your makeup bag as a part of your Spring Cleaning routine for your health.
When you purchase cosmetics, check for an expiry date right away. If it is only on the packaging, write the date on the container with a Sharpie or silver pen.
The FDA doesn’t require cosmetic companies to provide an expiry date so if you can’t find one, write the date you purchased it on the container.
How to know if your cosmetics are old.
- past the expiry date – even if it looks great
- a rancid odor
- chemical separation
- makeup has changed color
- develops a film
- watery top layer
- clumping or other changes in texture
- crusty flaking on lid
Once air hits the opened makeup, it starts to oxidize and degrade. Cosmetics can become contaminated with yeast or bacterial growth from use.
Store cosmetics in a cool, dry place, and your makeup will last longer. (This rules out the bathroom!)
If you’ve had an eye infection, sty or skin irritation it’s time to toss all of your makeup and make a clean, fresh start.
A few dates to help you spring clean your makeup bag.
Mascara should be replaced every 2-3 months. Once it is open, oxygen affects it, and it begins to collect bacteria.
Liquid or pencil eyeliners should be replaced every 3 months. Pencils should be sharpened before each use to clean them.
Foundation should be replaced every 6 – 12 months. Unopened, your foundation can last 2 years.
Replace your lip gloss or lipstick after 1 year. Dispose of them if they are dry & brittle – and don’t ever share.
Replace liquid concealers in 1 year, and powders & sticks in 2 years. Watch for color change.
Powder blush has a shelf life of 2-3 years. Cream blush should be replaced after 1 year. Watch for clumping or breaking.
Pressed powder can last for 2 years and loose powder for up to 3 years. Needs to be stored in a cool, dry place.
And don’t forget to check the makeup in your purse!
If your purse is like mine, there are forgotten cosmetics on the bottom that have been there for a while!
Check the expiry dates and condition. They get a lot of abuse shaking around in there!
Hope this encourages you to take a moment and clean your makeup bag. It’s a great excuse to try something new!
Clean Your Makeup Brushes Too!
8 Steps to cleaning your makeup brushes so they don’t contain bacteria for breakouts or quit blending properly.
