- Niwrka P
How To Know Your Skincare and Makeup Are Going Bad.-
By: Niwrka P. - Skincare Professional | Licensed Esthetician & Makeup Artist.-
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Be honest, how long have you been using your favorite lipstick? What about that mascara? How long has it been hiding in your makeup back?
You may think it's no big deal, you only use it a couple of times a week, and it's not like it’s food. But here's the thing; beauty products do go bad!
Despite containing preservatives, bacteria and fungi start growing over time and wreak havoc on your makeup and skincare.
And when these products take a turn for the worst, the last thing you want to do is use them on your precious skin.
Have you noticed new breakouts even though you are following your go-to skincare routine? One of the products in your lineup may be past its date.
And it's not just acne breakouts; bad products can cause eye and lip infections, dry patches, and even discoloration.
No one wants to deal with that! Read on to learn how to spot those signs that your makeup and skincare are going bad.
It's Past Its Shelf Life
Let's face it, many of us don't pay attention to those tiny expiry numbers at the back of skincare and makeup packages.
They appear as a number with the letter M (that stands for months) inside the image of an open jar, known as the Period-After-Opening (PAO) symbol.
The PAO symbol gives a rough idea about how long your beauty products are meant to last. If it says "24M,” the product should be good for 24 months.
Every beauty product has a different timeline, but generally, they follow the following:
3 months for mascaras, pencil eyeliner, and liquid eyeliner
6-12 months for lip gloss, cream blush, and cream eyeshadow
1 year for foundation, concealer, powder blush, powder eyeshadow, pencil, and lipstick
12-18 months for serums, eye cream, face cream, sunscreen, and fragrances
But remember, products can still go bad before their time if they are not stored in a cool, dry place. Now I know it's not easy to keep track of all these numbers, so make sure to test your products from time to time.
It Doesn't Smell Good
An easy way to check the state of your beauty products is by smelling them. Bacteria and fungi growth change the scent of the products.
Like mascara that has gone bad has a noticeable gasoline-like smell. If you can smell any stale or sour aroma from your products, that's a bad sign, and that product needs to be tossed.
But this isn’t a golden rule! Be mindful of skin care products that contain active or fermented ingredients because these additives give the product an unpleasant smell.
Like lactic acid, which smells gross, like sour sweat, but that’s its signature aroma! So be sure to cross-check the expiry dates on the product before you get rid of them.
The Color Has Changed
Does your foundation shade look different? What about your moisturizer? Is it looking a little greener than usual? Makeup and skincare oxidize, and when it does, the color changes.
Now, not all color change is bad. Most foundations and concealers change a little as they are exposed to air. Even skincare products with specific ingredients can shift hues. But if your products have changed color inside their bottle, things aren't looking good.
These are the changes you should look out for:
Yellowish or greenish hues in light-colored products like lotions and serums
Greyish hues in darker products like black mascara
White spots in pencil liners that don’t go away after sharpening
If you can see changes like this, it is a surefire sign that bacteria and fungi have started growing, and those products are no longer safe to use. Toss it out!
The Texture Feels Different
Liquid products should be free flowing, cream products should be buttery, and powder products should be dry and dusty.
When there is any growth in these products, they change consistency:
Liquid products become drier and lumpier
Cream products become looser and oilier
Powder products become chalky and clump together
These changes in texture also change the way products apply. You will notice your eyeshadows are not applying evenly, your mascara is clumping on your lashes, and your lipstick is streaky. Even skincare products like serums and moisturizers can feel stickier.
Here’s a rule of thumb, if the texture is the opposite of what it should be, something is amiss, and it is better to say goodbye.
There is Separation
Separation is prevalent in all-natural beauty products. If you see your liquid products splitting apart first, give them a good shake before you throw them out, especially if it isn't past their expiry date. If it hasn't come together, that's a bad sign.
This separation is harder to see through opaque containers, so if you can get the lid open and tilt it slightly to see if there is any layering. The product has split up if there is a difference in color or texture as you look down.
Suppose your product hasn't reached its expiry date and you have been storing it carefully. In that case, you can try emptying it into another container and giving it an old fashion stir to blend. But if the formula isn't mixing, it's time to call it quits.
The Bottom Line
I know it can be hard to part with our beauty products, and they can hold sentimental value and remind us of special memories. And let's be honest, some of them can be pretty expensive.
But it's important to remember that our skin is delicate, and applying products that have gone bad can cause a lot of damage.
There are many new makeup and skincare products out there that are better formulated and safer for your skin. You don’t need to be at the mercy of expired products.
So thank your old products for their service and send them off. You never know; replacing them with new ones may improve your skin quality, and that is definitely worth the try.
I will share a glam beauty journal soon so you can keep track of your beauty treasures!
In the meantime, keep reading about skincare here!
Until Next Time!
Peace, Love & Light!
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Author: Niwrka P.
Is A Beauty Content Creator | Skincare Professional | Licensed Esthetician & Makeup Artist
With over a decade of experience in the beauty industry.-
Passionate about Esthetics and sharing knowledge!