Throwing out old makeup can sometimes be as difficult a task as saying goodbye to that beautiful pair of well-worn shoes that know every nook and cranny of your feet. But while we all know that expired makeup doesn’t perform as well as fresh, new cosmetics, a lot of us don’t realize that wearing expired makeup can be harmful to our health.

Expired makeup can actually cause skin rashes and irritation, breakouts, allergic reactions, and even infections due to bacteria that gets inside a mascara tube, on an eyeshadow or blush cake, or onto your tube of lipstick.

Most cosmetic and skin care items now have expiry dates, but if you can’t seem to find them on your products, here are some basic timelines for the expected shelf life.

Oil-free Foundation: 1 year
Cream or Compact Foundation: 18 months
Concealer: 12-16 months
Powder: 2 years
Blush and Bronzer: 2 years
Cream Blush: 12-18 months
Powder Eye Shadow: 2 years
Cream Eye Shadow: 12-18 months
Pigment Powder: 2-3 years
Eyeliner Pencil: 2 years (should be sharpened regularly to remove bacteria)
Liquid Eyeliner: 3-6 months
*Mascara: 3-4 months
Lipstick: 2 years
Lip Liner Pencil: 2 years (should be sharpened regularly to remove bacteria)
Lip Gloss: 18-24 months
Nail Polish: 2-3 years

*Mascara expires the fastest because of it’s moist, dark environment making it prone to microbial growth.

Now, if you’re like most ladies…you will not remember when exactly you bought your products, so can’t accurately figure out the lifespan of them. Here are some tell-tale signs that it’s time to toss ‘em out.

– The product has a rancid smell, or has changed since it was new.
– It has been exposed to heat for a prolonged period of time.
– And obvious change in colour or texture.
– Obvious mould. (Duh…)

Truthfully, it can be nauseating to dispose of unfinished products like money out of a window…so to get the most out of your products and give them a longer shelf life, there are a few things that you can do to ensure you get the most bang for your buck and keep your cosmetics germ-free.

– Wash your hands before applying your makeup.
– Be greedy – don’t share your products.
– Do not try to dilute makeup with water or other liquids.
– Store cosmetics in a dry place away from direct heat or sunlight.

And the upside of ‘out with the old’? It’s always followed by ‘in with the new’! Cleaning out your makeup kit is a great way to get ready for the new colours and trends for the following season!