Time to clean out your expired cosmetics and makeup? Wondering where to start? Here’s all the important information you need to help you manage your cosmetics cabinet and makeup bag!

What are the risks of using expired makeup?

• Bacterial infections: Expired cosmetics open the door to bacteria and fungus. Applying these expired products to the skin therefore increases the risk of skin infections.
• Allergic reactions: The ingredients used in makeup can break down over time and cause allergic reactions such as redness, itching, burning or rashes.
• Skin irritations: When preservatives used in makeup break down, the product can irritate the skin, causing inflammation and burning sensations.
• Less effective: Expired cosmetics eventually lose their effectiveness. Foundations may no longer provide the same coverage or finish, and mascaras can become dry and lumpy, making application difficult and less effective.
• Unpleasant odour: Expired makeup can give off an unpleasant odour due to bacterial growth and chemical decomposition. In this case, you’ll know it’s no longer safe to use!

How do you know if your products have expired?

Of course, your beauty product packaging can provide valuable information in this respect. Formulas containing a sun protection factor (SPF) notably have an expiry date indicated on the box and at the top of the tube, embossed in the plastic. What’s more, most cosmetics containers contain a small pictogram representing an open jar, accompanied by a number and the letter "M" (for "month"). This symbol indicates shelf life: for example, "6M" means that the product can be stored for 6 months from the date of opening.

Beware: The packaging is not enough!

It’s important to note that the information on the container is an estimate; your beauty products may have a shorter shelf life than indicated, especially if they have not been stored properly. So, in order to identify potentially expired cosmetics, you also need to pay attention to any changes in texture, smell, colour and effect.

Where to dispose of your expired makeup products?

Some cosmetics brands, as well as organizations like TerraCycle, offer special product recycling programs, especially for your beauty products. As for containers, it’s important to clean them thoroughly before putting them in your recycling bin.

Let's sort out what’s true and what’s false!

Here’s a little test to help you better store and manage your cosmetics, makeup and beauty accessories.

It’s best to avoid storing your beauty products in the bathroom.

True! Although the bathroom may seem like the logical place to store your little jars, makeup and brushes, it’s not the best place to keep them! Bathroom humidity often encourages the proliferation of bacteria. It’s best to store your cosmetics in a cool, dry, dark place, such as your bedside table drawer.

Products in jars keep just as well as those in pumps.

False! Unlike tubes, beauty products in jars involve dipping your fingers directly into the formula, increasing the risk of contamination. So you need to take extra care when using them: make sure you close the jar tightly and carefully wipe the inside of the lid to prevent excess product from oxidizing and altering the rest of the formula.

Body moisturizers last longer than face creams.

True! Body moisturizers can last up to a year, while creams, makeup removers, scrubs and face masks generally survive from 6 to 9 months. In any case, be vigilant, as some cosmetic ingredients tend to evaporate, which increases the concentration of the formula (and the risk of skin reactions)!

Fragrances have no expiration date.

True! But beware: this does not mean that your perfumes will last forever! Store them in the same way as your other skincare and makeup products, away from light and heat.

A lipstick can last up to 2 years.

True! However, make sure you never go over this limit, as the high water content of your lipstick will eventually turn the product into a bacterial soup.

Lip, eye and eyebrow pencils also have a life expectancy similar to that of lipsticks, provided you sharpen them often and clean your sharpener just as regularly!

Mascara is one of the makeup products that needs to be changed most often.

True! Humid and dark, the inside of a mascara tube is undoubtedly an environment conducive to the multiplication of bacteria. For this reason, we recommend changing your mascara every three months, the same frequency as for your concealer and liquid eyeliner.

Foundation can be kept for 2 to 3 years.

True... only if it’s a powder foundation! Liquid formulas, on the other hand, can be kept for no more than 9 months.

As they contain little water, powder makeup products like eyeshadow, loose powder and blush accumulate bacteria less quickly than other types of formulas (as long as you dip clean brushes in them, obviously!). But replace your powder cosmetics earlier if they start to crack/dry or don’t apply as well as usual.

What about beauty accessories?

Crumbling sponges, brushes that are losing their bristles or starting to warp... these accessories should be discarded along with the rest of your makeup bag’s expired products. And if they can still be used, be sure to clean them regularly.

Makeup brushes

• Disinfect them after each use: Moisten the bristles with a spray cleaning formula, then wipe with a reusable cotton pad. Just a couple of minutes and you’re done!
• Deep clean once a week: All you need is a little water and mild shampoo (baby shampoo, for example). Wet the brush, coat it with the shampoo you’ve lathered in the palm of your hand, then rinse until the water runs clear. All that’s left is to lightly squeeze the bristles to remove excess moisture, and leave to dry flat on a clean cloth for a few hours.

Makeup sponges

• Follow the same cleaning routine as for your makeup brushes: Place a few drops of liquid soap in the palm of your hand, saturate the damp sponge by pressing it against your palm, then gently agitate it to extract any makeup products it may have absorbed. All that’s left to do is rinse!

These steps may seem tedious, but keep in mind that the more frequently you wash your accessories, the shorter the process will be... and there will be less risk of undesirable effects (rashes, irritations, acne flare-ups or infections).

A few beauty essentials to renew

Once you’ve sorted through your cosmetics, you might be wondering which products are important to renew. Here are 5 makeup and skincare essentials to have on hand; take the opportunity to try out a few new products!

Makeup products

1. A makeup primer: Ideal for smoothing your skin and evening out your complexion, even if you don’t wear much makeup.
2. A concealer: Tis type of product is perfect for erasing signs of fatigue and camouflaging imperfections.
3. A mascara: It’s your best ally to brighten up your eyes in no time.
4. A long-lasting lipstick: The perfect product to accentuate your look.
5. A cream blush or bronzer: Who says no to an instant healthy complexion?

Skin care products

1. An effective cleanser: Essential for removing impurities and letting skin breathe!
2. A gentle scrub: This type of product clears the pores and removes dead cells while remaining gentle on the skin.
3. Day and night moisturizers: however, make sure they are adapted to your skin type by consulting a cosmetician.
4. Sunscreen: Sunscreen products should be applied every day, regardless of the season or temperature.
5. A protective, nourishing lip balm: Formulas with SPF are to be preferred.