Did You Know Your Cosmetics
Have a Shelf Life?
Using cosmetics safely and knowing their shelf life is just part of being natural living women. Do you have a favorite lipstick that is over 5 years old? Are you trying to use the last little bit of eyeshadow that you bought, how many years ago? Did you answer yes? Well, your cosmetics were not meant to last forever. Most of them are designed to last no more than 3 years. I know we don't like waste. We don't want to throw something away that we barely used, hey, we might use it again, even if we didn't really like it the first time we tried it. I know I'm guilty. These Natural Beauty Tips will inform you how long you can safely keep your cosmetics. Remember companies are not required to put the shelf life of their products on the label. Here is what the experts recommend. They are not only based on safety but on how long your cosmetics even remain effective. After a while colors change and application may not be as smooth. Keep in mind that no matter when you bought your cosmetics if they smell bad get rid of them. Improper storage can ruin them. Remember, cool and dark.
Foundation Powder and Pressed Powder - 12 months Concealer - 12 months Blush - 6 months Eye Shadow - 12 to 14 months Eyeliner Mascara - 3 months Lipstick - 2 to 3 years Nail Color - 1 year
Most of these recommendations for shelf life make sense. I can understand the importance of not using old mascara, eyeshadow, eyeliner or even concealer. It is way too easy to get an irritated or infected eye from old, bacteria laden eye makeup.Foundations, well, they just don't work as well after too long a time. And they can be easily contaminated by germs in the air and on our fingers. I like that many companies are switching to squeeze tubes. Powder foundations and pressed powder present their own problems. If you are using a sponge for application. Think abut all the times you touch up your makeup during the day. Was your skin clean? Had you been out in city pollution? Were you a little sweaty and you wanted a quick touch up. Out comes the makeup sponge. If it's looking nasty, clean it if you can or replace it. They are not meant to be kept very long anyway. Look at my other
natural beauty tips
for how to clean your makeup brushes if you use those to apply powders of any kind.
More TipsProducts we use on our lips should be used with more care. It's easy to have a lipstick more than 3 years especially if you own quite a few of them. So it is tempting to keep them longer than recommended but I would keep in mind the following things: Lipsticks with SPF factor may lose their effectiveness after 3 years. I wouldn't use lipstick if I had an occasional cold sore or other type of infection, if I did that is probably one lipstick I would throw away.If a lipstick melted and reset I would throw it away.
I feel the same about the shelf life of nail polish. I couldn't seem to find any safety problems. The problems come from improper storage. Too much heat can cause it too separate and really not come together right anymore and not putting the cap on tightly can cause it to dry out. It's too hard to apply anyway when it starts to dry out so out it would go. Blush is also one product I would use with care and could probably extend the recommended shelf life. Have you ever been able to use enough blush in 6 months to want to toss it. I haven't and I really haven't noticed a measurable problem with color change. If you've been using natural beauty products you are already doing the best thing for your skin. Just remember, all products especially natural ones have a shelf life and it is important to find out what they are.
Natural Beauty Tip
One way to keep track of the shelf life of your cosmetics are to mark them when you buy them. I have found one of those paint pens handy. I can mark the date on the container very easily and it won't wear off.
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