Is Your Makeup Infested with Bacteria? Throw it Away NOW!
Would you rub germs and bacteria on your face? Well that is exactly what you are doing when you are reusing makeup after a certain period of time. It’s quite filthy when you think about it. If you put your 6 months old makeup under a microscope, you will be horrified to find the germs crawling, swimming and doing acrobatic moves under your very eyes. Disgusting thought? It’s a disgusting fact!
The shelf life for most makeup that has been opened and used is normally around 3 – 6 months. Any makeup that comes in contact with the eyes and eye fluid is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria – mascaras, eye liners and eye shadows should belong in the rubbish bin after 3 months. Bacteria such as Staph, yeast and fungal can develop and if the bacteria gets into your eyes, you may develop eye infections such as conjuctivitus or other more serious eye conditions.
So how long before you throw away your makeup? Find out what the shelf life is for each makeup product once it has been used for the first time.
Mascara
Shelf Life: 1 – 3 months after first use
Eye Liner
Shelf Life: 2 – 3 months after first use
Eye Shadow
Shelf Life: 2 – 3 months after first use
Eye Liner Pencil
Shelf Life: 1 – 2 years (if sharpened regularly)
Lip Sticks
Shelf Life 1 – 2 years after first use
Lip Gloss & Lip Balms
Shelf Life 6 – 12 months after first use
Liquid Foundations
Liquid foundations are normally in an air tight squeeze bottle making it harder for bacteria to breed inside. Provided you don’t stick your fingers inside and fiddle with it the shelf life is normally 6 – 18 months
Cream Foundations
I know it can be very tempting to dip your fingers to apply your cream foundation, but by doing so you are reducing the shelf life of your product in half. Generally the shelf life for a cream foundation is 6 – 12 months, however if you are using your fingers, I would throw it away after 4 – 6 months.
Keeping Applicators Clean All the Time
In addition to makeup hygiene, makeup applicators should be cleaned and sterilized and replaced regularly to prevent bacteria build up. If you use sponges to apply makeup, you should replace those at least once a week. Makeup brushes should be washed after each use or at least once a week to remove dead skin cells and cosmetic build up. There are special products used specifically to clean and sterilize brushes or you can simply use a bit of soapy water, rinse with clear water and air dry on paper towels.
Tips to reduce bacteria in makeup
– Always use tools such as a sponge to apply your foundation. If you want to use your hands to apply the foundation, get a clean sterilized spatulor to scape off the foundation and put in on your fingers to apply on your face. This way, your fingers never get in direct contact with the foundation container.
– Store your make up in a cool and dry area. I know it can be convenient and tempting to sometimes keep your makeup in the bathroom. But this is a big NO NO as the humid and germs ridden conditions make your cosmetics more susceptible to breed bacteria.
– Like food if it smells off, then it belongs with the rubbish, NOT with your face
– Never share makeup. You never know what germs or bacteria your girlfriends has. This can be dangerous and risky.
– Make sure to close tightly the containers after use and don’t let don’t let it expose to too much air.
– For eyeliner pencils and lip liner pencils, this is an easy one to maintain. Just sharpen the top layer off every 1 – 2 weeks
– Clean and sterilize your makeup tools after each use. Or better yet, where possible, use disposable makeup tools.
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Very true, I would never use makeup over 6 months. I know its a waste, but when it comes to my face, I would never take the risk.
I throw my mascara out after 3 months.
It’s a good thing that you have posted this article about how long one should use and keep their make ups. Now I know that it’s not safe to keep make up that long in my kit. So ladies be sure not to use make up over 6 months,for your skin not to get blemishes and irritations.