Does anyone really throw out of date makeup out?

[Figroll16]

It started when I noticed some of my foundations were around 5 years old , now I've noticed that I have eyeshadows that are possibly 8 years old 🙈

I change mascara every 4 months though if that redeems me?

Should I be chucking all the 'old' stuff out?

Nope

Nope but I probably should, at least certain things. I think it’s no harm if you use some very old nail polish but old mascara or eyeliner full of bacteria might be.

Only mascara. The use-by dates mainly relate to how long the preservatives (e.g. EDTA) last but, if the make up still looks ok, I don't think it matters if they are past their date.

You sometimes see earnest articles in women's magazines, imploring you to chuck everything, every few months, but it's worth remembering that they are written by beauty journalists, who are in a symbiotic relationship with beauty manufacturers 😉

Make up will be contaminated with skin bacteria from the first time you use it, so I am a bit more cautious with mascara, but I think the risk from anything else is minute.

if it still looks the right consistency and doesnt smell then i dont bin it

5 yo foundation is going to be horrible. It'll potentially have bacteria in it, and certainly consistency & coverage will be affected. I wouldn't use it.

Mascara - definitely don't use after 6 months.

Eyeshadow, blush & similar should be fine

I think it also depends on the brand.
I have Chanel lipsticks that are literally 10 years old and they’re still fine. I also have recently thrown out some Kiko lipsticks that were completely grim after having had them opened for a year or so. I noticed the same with perfume. The classic (and expensive!) brands such as Chanel, Dior etc hold their quality much better then cheaper stuff.

The oldest foundation is a Chanel one which is why I was reluctant to bin! Smells ok to me though 😊

Just try it on a small part of your face and if it still looks good and doesn’t cause any skin issues I would continue using it tbh

I just use things till they’ve run out.

I only ever have one pot of foundation on the go. I use it all. Same with blusher, highlighter, concealer, lipstick, mascara. I have a palette of eyeshadow that must be 10 years old and it's fine - only use it on special occasions.

If it smells or looks off, I bin it, otherwise I use it.
Mascaras seem to go off quickly.

I have an eye shadow tin of funky colours that i swear i have had since the 80’s i rarely use eyeshadow but i cant seem to throw it out

Generally you will know when they've gone off, lipsticks will taste and smell horrible or get a white coating on top, foundation will separate, or smell funny. Powder products generally last for years, sometimes they go hard on top. I find out of date foundation or lipsticks effect my skin, leaving my lips dry and my face a bit sore. I replace mascara when it stops making the popping sound or drys out and clumps.

I threw out some of my wedding makeup a few weeks ago. Only a few decades old.

Nope. Never. Never will.

I throw out stuff that is obviously gone off, and more recently did a clear out when checking ingredients. Trying to avoid parabans and phthalates now.
Buy I've BB cream nearly 10 years old and lipsticks nearly 20 that are fine.
I don't wear makeup daily so it would be very wasteful to throw it out nearly full.
My skin is grand.

I have some hair styling cream, from m& s Christmas calendar, I noticed its got a funny smell and its not even 1 year old.

I throw things out if I don’t use them anymore which mostly covers it I think

I don't, but I don't buy much. Surely if you have 5yo foundations it's because you don't use it?

A friend had a really nasty eye infection that was blamed on an old mascara, so I am more careful with those.

I've got some really old expensive perfumes, that I'm scared to use or to throw out. Would I know if they were off? Would it be obvious to people who know more than me if I wore them?

I do. I hardly ever wear makeup so most of mine goes out of date before I use it all. I got a bad reaction once from some out of date eye liner. Now it it is binned once it is out of date.

Yes... I'm a microbiologist...I know WAY too much! 🤣🤣

I only where make up once or twice a year. I'd not bother at all if I had to throw out old stuff.

I'm currently using a 24 year old eyeshadow

Still got eyes 🤷‍♀️

I wear contact lenses and I change my mascara every month. I have had too many eye infections to risk using them any longer.