Does anyone use out of date makeup?

[OuchMyFoof]

My mascara smelled a bit chemically today so I still used it but will get a new one, but it made me realise I have no idea when I bought it and it was very likely way over the 12 months you should use it by.

I’m not too concerned by this as I’ve never had any eye problems.

Is this a actual thing that most people stick to is it just me being gross using out of date stuff?

[IPokeBadgers]

I tend to keep stuff for ages....but like you say, if texture/smell/appearance changes that is usually a good time to say goodbye. I think there is more awareness now of the shelf life/expiration of make up but at the same time, I am also a bit sceptical that it isn't just something that make up brands and manufacturers do to (a) cover their asses and (b) encourage more buying of products.

[chipsandpeas]

i only throw out if it looks/smells funny

[DuckOffAutocorrectYouShiv]

Mascara is probably the only thing I don’t use outside of the 3-6 months recommended date. Mostly because I find the texture changes to lumpy and unusable.

Other liquids and lipsticks I keep until their texture has gone wrong. Way beyond their 12-36 month ‘use by’. Powders I keep and use for years. I keep my brushes and tools scrupulously clean and so i’m not concerned.

[user187656748]

I have an eyeshadow palette in my make up box which I got for my 13th birthday. I'm 43.

[user187656748]

I used it last week

[aconfinedharvester]

I had a pile of old stuff in the bottom of my bag, my dd1 was horrified and chucked it all out, now I'm much more careful about keeping it too long (and less embarrassed).

[HildaZelda]

If it smells okay and hasn't started to separate then I use it. I tend to change my mascara every few months anyway though because it starts to dry out by then.

[ReinettePompadour]

I have make up thats more than 25 years old. The kohl pencils have all dried up and so have the lip pencils so they got replaced a while back. The mascara usually needs baby oil adding to it to loosen it up but it fine then. The colours I first bought in the 80s are all back in fashion now so I can use them again.

I have a really beautiful face powder that my nan owned from the 60s. Its wonderfully soft, covers beautifully and lasts all night. It smells divine and came in a proper metal compact. You cant get it anymore although I have found modern versions with poorer coverage and they dont last.

I'm studying biology at university. We took a sample and tested it for bugs. It came back with hardly anything growing on it and nothing dangerous at all although the composition is a bit questionable . Its all down to how its kept.

[Chewbecca]

Does anyone not use out of date make up?!

The only item I use within the suggested time scale is mascara & that is purely because I use it daily & it doesn't last that long.

[HairBlues]

Dry stuff i.e. powders & eyeshadows; lipstick, and kohl liners (newly sharpened) - yes. Anything liquid (foundation/mascara) - no.

[DuckOffAutocorrectYouShiv]

Reinette, re where it’s kept. I suppose keeping it in the bathroom would be the worst for bacteria? Warm & damp?

[ReinettePompadour]

I suppose keeping it in the bathroom would be the worst for bacteria? Warm & damp?

Yes thats not a good place to keep makeup. I keep mine in a box in the bottom of my wardrobe. Its cool, dry and dark. Lip sticks can be kept in the fridge to stop them going off and melting but I dont have a problem in my wardrobe. However I rarely wear make up hence its age and I dont trust myself to remember to put my lipstick on from the fridge if I've put the rest on while upstairs.

[HairBlues]

Reinette - but you took a sample of what? Your nan's powder, or a liquid product such as a mascara? If the powder, I think you might be leading people into a false sense of security as your point seems to suggest old makeup in general doesn't get bugs, without differentiating between dry products such as powders, which sit on the skin very lightly anyway and can't do too much damage; and those which contain moisture or liquid such as mascara/foundation which can make contact with eyes, which are far easier to infect.

[RebeccaCloud9]

I think she was talking specifically about that one powder from her nan.

[timeisnotaline]

This is a relief! Hand up here.

[itsbetterthanabox]

I'll keep most thing forever except mascara and liquid eyeliner. An eye infection isn't worth it.

[CantChoose]

Mascara is religiously replaced every 6m. Everything else is ancient

[WonderLime]

It’s annoying as I don’t wear makeup very often. I’m constantly chucking out mascaras that have been worn less than a dozen times (I’ve started buying travel ones now to reduce my spending).

I don’t chuck out powders though.

[OuchMyFoof]

I’m so pleased it’s not just me haha!

[MikeUniformMike]

Yes if it smells or looks off.
mascara goes off fairly quickly, and department store type lipsticks tend to smell funny after a while, so you might as well use them up quickly.
Most stuff I hang on to until it's used up or I decide that I will never use it again.

[MikeUniformMike]

Sorry, I meant I'll bin it if it looks or smells off.

[Ellapaella]

I've never checked a use by date on make up in my life! So yes I must have done. Apart from mascara I can't really see how it matters, I suppose foundation might oxidise a bit.

[ReinettePompadour]

I think you might be leading people into a false sense of security as your point seems to suggest old makeup in general doesn't get bugs

No my post suggests nothing of the sort.

My post said that I tested my nans powder and we found there was nothing dangerous found on that powder. I did not suggest to anyone that their products were completely safe and free from bugs or that they should ignore the advice printed on the product. I cannot see why you would think I was saying that HairBlues

[LostMyBaubles]

Have a look at beauty so clean
It's amazing.
Think of it as an anti bac for make up

Safe to use on make up too