Cosmetics Use by dates ! Is that a thing ?

[SpiralDiderotEffect]

I wish I could post this in Style & Beauty as well as AIBU as I want genuine feedback from across Mumsnet.

I buy stuff and not use it for days / months / years and now it appears decades.

Found this in my Beauty stash just as I was about to place yet another random order.

Some DECLÉOR creams with batch numbers from 2007 & 2015. They look good, smell fine. Two tubes still have the outer seal so haven’t opened yet.
I have tried the Prolagene just now. No harm done.

We throw stuff away without much thought. I would be wary of medicines and food but even then would use some judgement depending on how long past the Best Before and Use by.

but cosmetics ?

AIBU - don’t use them throw throw throw
YANBU - time we had a debate and realistic dates for Best Before / Use By so companies don’t profit from customer ignorance / fear

How to check if it’s fresh?

YABU - for some things (mascara, eye liner etc) that go near your eyes, they shouldn't be kept for years and years as breeding grounds for bacteria - definitely swap them out regularly.

For other items - it's not just "fear" but also some things can become less stable / less effective over time, so what might have been an amazing product when made, naturally degrades and then years later is ineffective or even potentially irritative to use.

I think you should look at your purchasing habits, if you're buying things and not using them for decades, then you didn't need to buy them and tbh could have just bought something when you actually needed it.

The symbol with the jar and "12m" on your boxes means that you should use them within 12 months of opening. If they're sealed then they will last longer.

The main issues with using expired cosmetics are reduced performance and risk of infection. Creams etc might split or preservatives break down, so that they won't perform as well. Or alternatively when the preservatives break down, or the product is exposed to bacteria from the air, skin, brushes etc over time, use might lead to infections, acne, styes, etc.

I have definitely used expired products on occasion but I wouldn't use anything that goes on my eyes or mouth after its expiry date. If you know you won't use something quickly then don't buy four at once! 😆

X post rainraingoawaay, apologies!

Great minds think alike!! 😂

I'm aware of cosmetics having a use by date but I've never followed them. I have some stuff that's years old. Haven't had any issues. Yet!

As above. Unopened stuff should be ok for quite some time. Once opened you should follow the length of time given by the symbol to avoid the risk of bacterial infection.

Chances are most products will be fine for a few years, and beyond that if unopened still be safe, but the efficacy may have deteriorated.

You're confusing batch dates and best before/use by in your post.

It's unlikely they have a use by/best before date (because that's actually the length of time indicated by the symbol, as above) but may well have a yeas or manufacture as part of the batch code.

Creams are absorbed by the skin, do you really want a product that's years past the date it was expected to be used soaking into your skin? I can't see any benefit in using old cream/skincare to avoid waste. Any active ingredients will be past it. For cosmetics I would use powder products way past the expiry date but not anything cream based.

Personally I would use the sealed creams and not think twice about it. Opened products are different. Foundations will show signs of being gone off. They will separate or smell bad. Same with lipstick, it will smell or taste bad or look a bit mottled. Eyeshadows last for years as powder doesn't really breed bacteria, unless you're using manky dirty brushes. I have eyeshadows that are years old. Same with blusher etc. Mascaras are replaced when they dry out or stop 'popping' when opened. Never pump your mascara. I honestly think the use by dates are crazy. They are there to cover their backs if you get a problem and mainly just so we spend more money in the long run. If you take care of your products, keep them out of humidity (bathroom), use clean brushes and keep lids on they can last for years.

I don't pay any attention to them. Most stuff gets used up in six months or less anyway and I just buy new stuff when the old runs out rather than having a load of old stuff hanging around.

I use makeup very infrequently so can just tell you what I've noticed:

I have a bottle of foundation I've had since my wedding which was 9 years ago. It's split now and the colour is no longer smooth, so I threw it away and bought a new one. It lasted probably 7-8 years before that happened. I really like this foundation and it's about €25 a bottle so I probably will keep it again even though I am aware of the bacteria risk - it's just too expensive to spend €25 per use! I imagine that if there is bacteria in it, it will probably die out in the months between uses that I leave it. Anyway I tend to squirt it onto a cotton pad or something rather than directly onto my own skin, so hopefully not much scope for bacteria to enter the bottle.

Mascara gets dried up after a few years - quite quickly. Best to replace or it will be lumpy.

Old nail varnish can have uneven coverage or take longer to dry and harden. I used to keep it but I now chuck it.

Thanks for all your replies. Yes I recognise buying and storing it forever is a problem. But that is not what this thread is about. Merely asking if you’d use some form skin care or make up past what’s the normal best before. Some brands say unopened can keep it for 3 years and then follow the sign after opening be it 6/12 months.
I don’t use mascara a lot so if I bought something and it’s gone dry, in the bin it goes. I just noticed that this particular set of creams - they are not 4 of the same, two each, seemed really fresh even after all these years.

I'm really careful with sunscreen as it is less effective the older it is. Moisturiser gets used every day so it never lasts more than a few months. I don't wear eye make up. I have lipsticks that are a couple of years old and they are fine.