Wednesday, January 30, 2013

"What do you think?" Wednesdays - Are makeup use-by dates worth listening to?

I have a confession. I have never ever (and probably will never ever) taken notice of use-by dates or 'throw out' guidelines when it comes to makeup. Every product is treasured in my collection and therefore I would struggle to throw out something that I've not yet used up.

I've always had the view that use-by dates on cosmetics were solely put in place so that the companies can get you to purchase more of their products more frequently, but is that really the case?

First of all, I must explain myself a little in that if I came across a product that was looking a bit dodgy - has changed colour, separated, lumpy, so on and so forth - then I wouldn't hang on to it for much longer, however if it still looks fairly good then I wouldn't consider chucking it out for a second!

Now that you know that, back to the topic. Use-by dates. Before writing this post I was aware that there were such things as use-by recommendations for makeup but I didn't know what they were for each product so I looked them up and here is what I have found.

Mascara - 3-6 months
Moisturiser - 3-12 months
Foundation - 12-18 months
Powder - 2 years
Concealer - 12-18 months
Blush - 2 years
Eyeshadow - 2 years
Eyeliner/lipliner - 2 years
Lipstick - 2 years
Perfume - 2 years

Of course, the answers vary according to who tells you what, but this is about average in general.

I don't know about you, but I certainly have products that have outlived their recommended time period and according to the 'rules' they should be thrown out. Am I going to? No way.

I imagine for some of you, this might evoke a response of disgust. You might find the prospect of keeping a makeup product too long much like eating mouldy yoghurt that has been stewing in the dark depths of the fridge for a couple of months, in which case I can understand why this post and my attitudes towards the topic might gross you out. However, in my view unless there is some detectable change that I can notice (even smell or taste change - like for a lipgloss) then I would carry on using it as I always had. After all, I paid for it and therefore I want to get maximum use out of it.

I appreciate that there is the flip side of the argument whereby you tell me that germs are too small to be seen and that there is a fair chance I have hoards of bacteria breeding in my eyeshadows ready to attack my eyeballs at every opportunity. You may be correct, but I've not yet found such to be a problem.

I also think that some products are more susceptible to acting as lovely breeding grounds, like mascara. I would be hesitant to apply a mascara that has been opened for a couple of years, especially because it is bypassing the skin barrier and going straight for the eyes, thus making it considerably easier for it to infect me!

When it comes down to it, I am pretty relaxed about it all in that I never even consider makeup use-by dates, instead waiting for a product to go funny until I throw it out. I probably could be a little more careful and put practices in place that extend the life of my products, but until I actually come across major problems with it, I think I shall remain careless and continue ignoring the guidelines.

How do you feel about makeup use-by dates? Do you care about them at all?


20 comments:

  1. I think the only product I'd want to throw out within the recommended date would be mascara. Otherwise I'd keep it until it started not working as well as when I first bought it. Why waste product when it's still good?

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    1. Exactly - it's just a real waste when you chuck it out before it's gone all gross.
      x

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  2. It would be generaly creamy products that I pay attention too.. and it's usually the smell that it tells you if something is off.. but with powder products, I can't really see them expiring :)
    xxx Marina

    beautiful me plus you by Marina Bergmann

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    1. Oh my goodness I am so sorry, your message went to my Spam!

      You're right, creamy products can be a bit dodgy but powder ones I can't imagine being too much of a problem.

      xx

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  3. Honestly, I only chuck out mascara when it's lumpy and lip products if they start to feel or smell a bit off.
    The perfume use-by is total crock - ever smell a vintage Diorella or Dune. So gorgeous. Perfume can last forever if stored properly.

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    1. I'm with you - I think perfume lasts considerably longer than two years. I'm not about to start ditching my fragrances!
      x

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  4. I completely agree with you! Unless it looks or smells gross it stays! I know I would definitely keep blushes and eyeshadows for more than 2 years!

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    1. Absolutely. Powder products don't go off!!!
      x

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  5. I have the exact same view as you when it comes to use-by dates! I've been trying to clear out my old mascaras though, but its so hard to part with anything that's still good that hasn't been completely used up!

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    1. So true. It feels wrong to chuck out something that is not finished. I have trouble getting rid of products that I hate because it feels weird as I haven't used it.
      xx

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  6. Yeah I agree about the mascara - as soon as it starts being clumpy its out! But I still have my first blush that I bought (and LOVE) from years and years ago. I'm so guilty of keeping make up items beyond its use-by date :P

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    1. That's right...mascara is probably the only one I listen to. As for blush, I'm with you - I wouldn't chuck out a blush, especially if it is much loved like you said yours is.
      xx

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  7. I don't look at expiry dates or throw out makeup unless it's empty.
    I have a foundation from 2 years ago but it seems fine! I really don't chuck them unless you can visibly see the disgusting state of it.

    I did however, think twice about this when there was a gross cockroach/bug looking thing in my eye makeup drawer and I freaked out and started worrying about expired products.

    But yeah, I wouldn't throw makeup unless it was finished or visibly gross.

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    1. That's right - I think that a foundation would be fine after two years. oh yuck, that cockroach sounds disgusting! :)
      xx

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  8. Ohhh Candice, the more I read these What Do You Think Wednesdays, I see we have so much in common! (And after reading the other comments left, I'm so happy to see majority of us think the same way!)

    I'm actually totally with you. I figure that I'm the only one who actually uses my cosmetics, and I never use them when I'm sick or if I've got any skin infections, etc. I store all my make-up correctly and don't leave it sitting in the sun or anything like that. I'm careful to always clean my brushes. I can see how things can be breeding grounds for bacteria, but as long as you're taking care of everything (which I absolutely am) I don't see why after only 2 years, my eyeshadow that I've used three times would suddenly become disgusting and unusable? Doesn't make any sense. Perhaps they mean 2 years of constant use?

    The only thing I will throw out is mascara, like many of the other girls have mentioned, and only when it becomes clumpy and smells bad. This can be a lot longer than six months though! Mostly because I don't use the same mascara every single day, much like my eyeshadow argument!

    End of the day, it's my body and I'll use what I want on it! Expiry dates are guidelines, and just that. Even for some foods - a lot of it is just a sell-by date. (Obviously some things have an expiry date for a reason, for example that lovely mouldy yoghurt you mentioned!) That's why majority of cosmetics don't actually have a written date on it. It's a time-frame after you opened it. Because we don't know how long these cosmetics have been sitting in a warehouse?

    Waaa sorry Candice, I've ranted on again! I always do this to you! :P
    Your topics are just so interesting!
    xx

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    1. Jasmine!!! Yay! :) I agree, it is really nice to see that we all feel the same way about this one!

      That's a good point I forgot to mention, the fact that I am the only person using my makeup is another thing I take into account. If I was constantly sharing it around then I expect I would be a little more wary of sharing germs and other lovely things.

      The point about regular use is another thing that I'm glad you mentioned. I have about eight mascaras open at the moment - it's just ridiculous - and I only ever use two of them on a regular basis. I feel it would be such a waste if I chucked the other six out if they haven't gone funny yet.

      I also agree about being unable to tell their true age. I often wonder how long something has been sitting around going gross in the shop before I've even opened it!

      Thanks again for your input lovely!

      xx

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  9. I defintely chuck out things once the formulation has changed. The only things I am strict about other than mascaras is lips products particularly lip glosses as the applicator covered in your bacteria gets smooshed into the formula. You know there are ways to sanitise your make up (make up artists do this) such as spritzing a bit of alcohol on your powders. I should get in the habit of this :)

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    1. You are right about lip glosses, they get gross very easily. I didn't know you could sanitise your makeup, I've never heard of it. Good to know!
      x

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  10. I am a bit late on commenting on this but I totally agree with you. I get rid of mascara when it dries out (so maybe like every 4-6 months?) and I do get rid of lipglosses when they go yuck!

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    1. Absolutely, nothing worse than a gross lipgloss. Yuck! :)
      xx

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Questions? Opinions? Feel free to comment as I love to hear what you have to say!

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