Shelf life of beauty and skin care products

by Marie Katz Makeup Artist

Taking an inventory of your beauty products and skin care products every couple of months is important because some of these products can become contaminated if not properly used or stored appropriately. Take a look at some of your everyday beauty products and skin care products below to help guide you.

Foundation and Concealer
6 months

Apply foundation and concealers with sponges to avoid contamination.

Eye Pencils
3-6 months

Sharpen pencil before each use to clean off surface.

Lip Pencils
6-12 months

Sharpen pencil before each use to clean off surface.

Lipstick
2-3 years

Store lipsticks at room temperature to prevent rancidity.(Beading does not indicate rancidity, this indicates oils escaping from the formula).

Mascara
3-6 months

Never share mascara to avoid contamination. Keep cap on tightly to prevent mascara from drying out.

Eye shadow

3-6 months

Apply powder with disposable applicators or wash with mild soap and water.

Applicators (Brushes and Sponges)
3-6 months

Cleaning brushes or sponges regularly with mild soap and a little water properly can prolong the use of these applicators for more than a year.

Skin Care Products
Moisturizer
6-12 months

Keep lids to the jar tight. Always apply moisturizer with clean hands before using. If product should separate, have a strange odor or becomes too liquidy, toss it.

Toner
6-12 months

Look for any cloudiness or unpleasant.

Cleanser
6-12 months

Choose pumps or even tubes which will help prevent contamination.

Exfoliants
6-12 months

If using exfoliants in the shower, keep cap closed tightly to prevent water from entering.

Eye Cream
6-12 months

Look for tubes instead of jars.

Lip Balm
1-2 years

Never leave lip balm in the car, if expose to heat for long periods of time it can go rancid.