Old makeup

[Inmy50s]

How long do you keep old makeup for before throwing it out, due to hygiene reasons?

I can't say for sure, but tossed a load yesterday.

Bottles of foundation / mascara / lip / more liquid stuff: 5 years+
Everything else powdery: 10 years+

I put on makeup about 2-4 times a year.
I usually wipe off a layer of the powders etc before applying.

While I don't doubt there's a wee bit of bacteria/fungus/mould growth that happens, when was the last time you heard of someone you know who got ill from it? I think any encouragement to dispose of make up due to hygiene is a con from the industry.

I had a clear-out six years ago. Nothing since. I don't wear makeup very often but I am not throwing stuff away just because the manufacturers say so.

I use what I like until it's gone.

My many mistakes I pass on to friends or chuck, but I always feel bad chucking stuff when it's perfectly ok to use, just not for me.

I am constantly passing on make up to friends, as I like to declutter and make space for the new. However actually getting rid due to hygiene/sell by dates, I don’t. I mean obviously I would get rid of something if it started to change colour of smell funny, but in the last 10 years I can think of maybe two or three times that has happened. I think the whole thing about sell by dates on make up products, especially powders, is a massive con.

However long I want to. I don't believe that there's anything wrong with old make-up.

Anything "dry" I keep indefinitely. Anything "wet" not more than two years if sealed, 6 months if opened (assuming any of it lasts that long).

I have an eyeshadow I got in the late 90s that I'm still quite happily using from time to time.

Don't throw old make up away - recycle it! There are drop off points in supermarkets now. Or take it all to boots to be recycled and get £5 worth of points to spend. I do it all the time.

Depends what it is. Don't mess with eye makeup

The only thing I’m particular with is mascara because of the eye infection potential. If I hadn’t used an eyeliner for a long time I’d sharpen it / remove the end.

Anything else could be decades.

Mascara I change every few months but I use a cheapo Collection one which starts to go lumpy around the 4 month mark so that works out well.
Everything else - only if it smells funny.

Can I ask. - exactly what empties so they accept? I've signed but can't find an actual list

boots.scan2recycle.com/login

You need to sign up first.

In my Boots you can just put stuff into the recycling bin without having to sign up or anything.
I used to have make-up that I was still using from the 80s, but a couple of years ago I chucked it away because I developed problems with my eyes. The old make-up didn’t cause the problems, but it made me more cautious about infections.

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I religiously stick to manufacturers recommendations. There was a study in the UK, where people were encourage to send their make up products to be tested and the majority of the make up was contaminated, e.coli was found in something like 90% of the products

https://boots.scan2recycle.com/recyclable-types

Bloody years. I take no notice of the guidelines. Currently finishing a lipstick that must be over 10 years old.

@tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz there's a list on the app/website somewhere. But lipsticks, eyeshadow palettes, face powders, mascaras etc are usually accepted. I have also recycled roll on deodorant and face cream tubs.

Mascara - I tend to replace at around 6 weeks definitely no longer that 8 weeks.
Eyeshadow - replace 4 monthly.
Foundation - comes in a pump dispenser, so I use it until it's used up which is probably about 9 months. I use a tinted lipbalm rather than lipstick. Also replaced 8 weekly.
Brushes etc washed a couple of times a week.

That's so wasteful - mascara doesn't need throwing away that often unless you have an eye condition

As you yourself said, don't mess with eye make up. I know from experience that if I use eye makeup older than this, I am more prone to eye infections. I work in a school and unfortunately, eye infections are easy to pick up there.

Ah fair enough. Had no idea you could get eye infections from schools

It’s obvious she meant from the grubby little kids.

What happened to S&B being a nice, supportive corner of MN?

What? Of course she meant from the kids. I just didn't realise if you worked in one you were at higher risk! The poster has explained and I was just saying thanks for explaining that makes sense. Why are you jumping on my comment?

Thanks all