How Do You Know If Makeup Is Expired? Signs, Shelf Life and Symbols
Most of us have a drawer of makeup we cannot quite remember buying. A mascara from last year, a foundation from the year before, a lipstick that has travelled through three handbags. It all still looks usable, so it is easy to keep going. But makeup does not last forever, and some products go off far sooner than people expect.
You can usually tell makeup is expired when it changes in smell, texture, colour or performance. Warning signs include a sour, rancid or unusual smell, separation that does not mix back in, a dry, clumpy or gritty texture, a colour shift, mould spots or a product that suddenly stings or causes breakouts. Check the period-after-opening symbol, the small open jar with a number such as 6M or 12M, which tells you how many months a product is meant to last once opened. As a rough guide, mascara and liquid eyeliner last about three months, liquid foundation six to twelve months, and powders up to two years.
In short: trust your senses, check the open-jar symbol and replace eye products most often.
A study of used makeup in the Journal of Applied Microbiology found that most used lipsticks, lip glosses, eyeliners, mascaras and beauty sponges tested were contaminated with bacteria, some of them potentially harmful. Old, well-used products carry the highest risk.
This guide covers the signs of expired makeup, how long each product lasts, what the symbols mean, the risks of using old makeup and how to keep products fresh for longer.
Recommended Tools to Track, Store and Keep Makeup Fresh
On This Page
- 7 Signs Your Makeup Has Expired
- How Long Does Makeup Last After Opening?
- What the Expiry Symbols Mean
- What Happens If You Use Expired Makeup?
- What Makes Makeup Expire Faster?
- How to Check and Track Your Makeup Expiry
- How to Make Makeup Last Longer
- Does Unopened Makeup Expire?
- Expiry Signs by Product Type
- Dos and Don’ts
- Honest Limits
- When to See a Doctor or Dermatologist
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Summing Up
Quick Answer
- Changes in smell, texture, colour or performance mean it is time to replace.
- The open-jar symbol shows months of use after opening.
- Mascara and liquid eyeliner should be replaced about every three months.
- Powders last longest; liquids and creams go off sooner.
- Used makeup often carries bacteria, especially sponges and eye products.
- Heat, humidity and fingers speed up spoilage.
- If a product stings or causes a reaction, throw it away.
7 Signs Your Makeup Has Expired
Your eyes and nose are the quickest tools for spotting expired makeup. Check for these changes before you apply anything that has been open for a while.
- Smell: a sour, musty, rancid or crayon-like smell that was not there before.
- Separation: liquid and pigment or oil layers that do not blend back after shaking.
- Texture: dry, clumpy, gritty, sticky, grainy or unusually runny.
- Colour: darker, lighter, patchy or oxidised compared with when you bought it.
- Mould or spots: fuzzy patches, dots or a film on the surface, especially on cream products.
- Performance: mascara that flakes, powders that go hard and shiny, lipstick that drags.
- Skin reaction: stinging, itching, redness or breakouts from a product you used to tolerate.
If you notice any one of these, replace the product. There is no safe way to refresh makeup that has gone off. Our guide on reviving dried mascara explains why adding water or saliva to old mascara is a bad idea.
How Long Does Makeup Last After Opening?
These are common guidelines. Always check the product’s own period-after-opening symbol, which can be shorter or longer.
| Product | Typical life after opening | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mascara | About 3 months | Wand carries bacteria from lashes into a moist tube |
| Liquid eyeliner | About 3 months | Moist, used close to the eyes |
| Cream eyeshadow and concealer | 6 to 12 months | Creams hold moisture and are touched with fingers |
| Liquid foundation | 6 to 12 months | Water-based formulas can grow microbes |
| Lipstick and lip gloss | About 12 months | Direct contact with lips and mouth |
| Pencil eye and lip liners | 1 to 2 years | Sharpening removes the used surface |
| Powder blush, bronzer and eyeshadow | Up to 2 years | Little water, so microbes grow slowly |
| Sunscreen and SPF products | By printed expiry date | Protection can weaken over time |
Unopened products usually last longer, often around two to three years if stored well, but they still age, especially in heat. Natural or preservative-free products often have a much shorter life, sometimes only a few months, so follow their labels closely and store them carefully.
What the Expiry Symbols Mean
Makeup packaging uses a few symbols and date formats that are easy to miss.
| Symbol or label | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Open jar with 6M, 12M or 24M | Period after opening: use within this many months after first opening |
| Hourglass symbol | Best-before date, often used for products lasting less than 30 months |
| Printed EXP or expiry date | Do not use after this date, common on sunscreens and SPF makeup |
| Batch code | Manufacturing code; some online tools estimate the production date from it |
The US Food and Drug Administration explains that US law does not require expiration dates on most cosmetics, although sunscreens and other products regulated as drugs do carry them. See the FDA page on shelf life and expiration dating of cosmetics.
What Happens If You Use Expired Makeup?
Using expired makeup once is unlikely to cause harm, but regular use increases the chance of problems, particularly around the eyes and mouth, where skin is thin and moist. The main risks come from microbes and from ingredients breaking down.
- Eye infections: old mascara and eyeliner can carry bacteria that cause conjunctivitis or styes.
- Breakouts: contaminated products and degraded oils can clog pores and inflame skin.
- Irritation and rashes: broken-down preservatives and fragrances can irritate or sensitise skin.
- Poorer sun protection: SPF products may not protect as labelled after expiry.
The Journal of Applied Microbiology study found that between about 79 and 90 percent of used products tested carried bacteria. Beauty sponges were the most contaminated: 93 percent had not been cleaned and 64 percent had been dropped on the floor and used again. You can read the study abstract on PubMed.
Throw away eye makeup immediately if you have had an eye infection, and never share mascara or eyeliner. Using the same product again can reinfect you or pass bacteria to someone else.
What Makes Makeup Expire Faster?
The date on the pack assumes normal use and storage. These habits shorten it.
- Heat and sunlight, such as storing makeup in a hot car, near a window or on a radiator.
- Humidity, especially steamy bathrooms.
- Double-dipping fingers into jars and pots.
- Pumping mascara wands, which pushes air into the tube.
- Leaving lids off or loosely closed.
- Using dirty brushes and sponges, which carry oil and bacteria back into products.
Our guide on makeup storage temperature tips explains where to keep products so they last. Travel is another common problem: makeup bags left in hot cars, on beaches or in checked luggage can go through repeated heating and cooling that breaks down formulas far faster than normal use at home.
How to Check and Track Your Makeup Expiry
A few minutes every few months keeps your collection fresh and safe.
Gather everything
Bring all your makeup together, including products in bags and drawers.
Check the symbols
Look for the open-jar number or printed expiry date on each item.
Smell and look
Open each product and check for smell, texture, colour or separation changes.
Test on your hand
Swatch products to check they still apply and blend normally.
Throw away anything doubtful
If in doubt, throw it out, especially eye and lip products.
Label what you keep
Write the opening month on a small label or with a marker.
Set a reminder
Add a phone reminder to repeat the check every three to six months.
Write the month you open a product on the base or lid with a fine marker or a small date label. You will never have to guess how old your mascara is again.
How to Make Makeup Last Longer
Good habits can help your makeup reach the end of its intended life in good condition.
- Wash hands before applying makeup.
- Use a clean spatula instead of fingers for jars and pots.
- Clean brushes weekly and sponges after each use.
- Close lids tightly straight after use.
- Store makeup somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight.
- Sharpen pencils before each use to expose a fresh surface.
- Wipe lipsticks and pencils occasionally with a tissue and a little 70 percent alcohol.
Our guides on how often to clean makeup brushes and using makeup sponges cover tool hygiene in more detail.
A skincare fridge can help keep some products cool, but it is not needed for most makeup. Avoid freezing products, and do not refrigerate oil-heavy or wax-based items, which can change texture in the cold.
Does Unopened Makeup Expire?
Yes, but more slowly. Unopened makeup is sealed from air, fingers and bacteria, so many products stay usable for around two to three years if stored in a cool, dry place.
Heat and sunlight still affect sealed products. Sunscreens and SPF products should always be used by the printed expiry date. When you open an older sealed product, check it carefully for smell, texture and colour before use, and start counting its period-after-opening from that day.
Expiry Signs by Product Type
Each type of makeup shows its age in a slightly different way, so it helps to know what to look for in each.
- Mascara: dry, clumpy or flaky formula, a petrol-like smell, or itchy, watery eyes after use.
- Liquid foundation and concealer: separation, a darker or orange tint, a thicker texture or a sour smell.
- Lipstick: a waxy or crayon smell, beads of moisture on the surface, drag on the lips or a chalky film.
- Lip gloss: stickiness that turns stringy, cloudiness or a changed smell.
- Powders: a hard, shiny crust on top, patchy application or visible spots.
- Cream blush and highlighter: an oily film, a dry crust or a change in colour.
- Pencils: a white bloom on the tip or a crumbly, dry texture that does not improve after sharpening.
A hard crust on powders is often caused by oil from fingers or brushes rather than age alone. Scraping off the top layer can help, but if the product also smells odd or causes breakouts, replace it.
Dos and Don’ts
Good Habits
- Check the open-jar symbol on new products
- Label products with the month you open them
- Replace mascara about every three months
- Clean brushes and sponges regularly
- Store makeup somewhere cool and dry
Common Mistakes
- Keep makeup that smells or looks different
- Add water or saliva to dried products
- Share eye or lip products
- Store makeup in a hot car or steamy bathroom
- Use eye makeup after an eye infection
Honest Limits
Shelf-life guidelines are averages. A product can go off sooner if it is contaminated or stored badly, or last well beyond its guideline if it is used carefully and stored in good conditions.
Signs of expiry are not always visible. Bacteria can be present without any change in smell or look, which is why eye products should be replaced on a schedule rather than only when they look old. When in doubt, replacing a product is cheaper than treating an infection.
When to See a Doctor or Dermatologist
- Your eyes are red, painful, swollen or discharging after using makeup.
- You develop a rash, hives or swelling after applying a product.
- Breakouts or irritation continue after you stop using a product.
- You have a stye that does not improve within a few days.
This article is for general information and does not replace professional medical advice. See a doctor promptly for eye pain or changes in vision, and a board-certified dermatologist for persistent skin reactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know if makeup is expired?
Look for changes in smell, texture, colour, separation or performance.
What does 12M on makeup mean?
Use within 12 months after opening.
How long does mascara last?
About three months after opening.
Can expired makeup cause breakouts?
Yes, contaminated or degraded products can trigger breakouts.
Can expired makeup cause rashes?
Yes, broken-down ingredients can irritate or sensitise skin.
Does powder makeup expire?
Yes, but it lasts longest, often up to two years.
Does unopened makeup expire?
Yes, usually after about two to three years.
Is it safe to use expired lipstick?
It is best to replace it if it smells or feels different.
Can you use expired foundation?
Replace it if it has separated, changed colour or smells.
Do I have to throw away makeup after an eye infection?
Yes, replace all eye products you used.
Summing Up
Expired makeup usually tells you it has gone off through changes in smell, texture, colour or performance. Check the open-jar symbol, label products with the month you open them and replace eye products most often.
Store makeup somewhere cool and dry, keep tools clean and never share eye products. If a product stings, smells wrong or causes a reaction, throw it away.
