beauty tips
How to recognize the shelf life of cosmetic products
How can you tell when cosmetic products have expired?
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Like food, cosmetic products have an expiry date. How can you tell when mascara, creams and co. should be thrown away?
Most people would no longer eat an expired yoghurt, but would immediately put it in the trash can. When it comes to cosmetic products, we are often not so critical. They also have an expiration date. Creams, powders or mascara can accumulate harmful bacteria and germs if they are used for a long time while they are open. The result can be skin irritation, rashes, acne or eye infections. How can you tell the shelf life of cosmetic products? And when can you continue to use them without worrying? An overview.
How do you know the shelf life of cosmetic products?
The shelf life of cosmetic products can be seen on the jar – often below the quantity. A number and the letter “M”, which stands for months, can be read on the crucible. The information indicates how long the products can still be used after opening. A product that says “12M” has a shelf life of about a year after opening.
Since the shelf life does not apply from the date of purchase, it is advisable not to open the product until you really intend to use it. To keep an overview, you can write the opening date on the packaging with a waterproof pen. Caution! The information relates to professional storage. For many products this means that they are stored in a dark, dry and cool place. Strong sunlight and high temperatures reduce durability.
If products don’t have a jar with the number of months, then that’s it according to the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety Because they have a shelf life of less than 30 months, even when unopened. Such products usually have the information “Best before” or an hourglass in combination with a best-before date, similar to food.
That’s how long concealer, mascara and co.
The shelf life of a product depends on the ingredients in it. The following applies roughly: the more liquid the product, the shorter the shelf life. Powder and blush as well as kajal usually last up to two years, while liquid eyeliner or mascara only last around three months. In between are foundation and concealer at around a year. Depending on the ingredients, lip balm can last up to five years.
The same applies to hygiene products such as creams, soap, deodorant and toothpaste. A bar of soap can last up to three years, eye and moisturizing creams as well as body lotion usually have a shelf life of between one and two years. Many toothpastes have an expiration date that is about two years after the date of manufacture. Caution: Sun creams often have a long shelf life, such as 24 months, on the jar. Since the product is naturally often exposed to the sun and high temperatures, the shelf life is actually much lower.
How to recognize expired cosmetic products?
If you’re not sure when the product was opened, or if the jar symbol ended up in the trash with the original packaging, you can look out for signs of expired product. If the product has a strange odor or has changed color, you should definitely stop using it. If the product feels different on the skin or the consistency has changed, it also belongs in the waste.