When to Throw Away Makeup

Just like the drugs in your medicine cabinet, cosmetic products have an expiration date. How do you know if your makeup is expired? For instance, you may have to throw away makeup when it crumbles, brushes if they fall apart, or lipstick if it doesn't stick to your lips. Learn more with Health's guide about what you should keep and when you should toss and replace it.

1. Mascara

Average life span: four to six months

Though the average life span of mascara is four to six months, you may need to get rid of it before then. Some manufacturers may recommend tossing the eye cosmetic just two to four months after you buy it. Also, switch out your mascara as soon as it starts smelling funky (think: burning plastic) and depositing more clumps than color, Jeannette Graf, MD, a dermatologist in Great Neck, New York, told Health.

Take no chances with eye products—germ-ridden formulas can cause infections. When you buy a new tube, do all you can to safeguard it from bacteria. Close it tightly after each use, avoid pumping the wand in and out, and never, ever share your mascara with anyone.

2. Eyeliner

Average life span: one year

Immediately part ways with your pencil liner if the tip starts oozing an oily substance or forms a white film. Hang on to liquid liners for no more than six months, and dump them sooner if they thicken or have a bad smell.

Little can be done to extend the life span of a liquid formula. The applicator tip is in constant contact with your eyes and can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria. Still, you can shave away germs on pencils by sharpening them every few days.

3. Foundation

Average life span: one year

Most formulas—liquids, creams, and compacts—can last up to a year if kept out of direct sunlight and away from heaters. Once your liquid starts to separate, your cream thickens, or your compact color develops a strange aroma, like rubber, it's time to toss it.

To extend the life of your foundation, use a cotton swab when dipping it into bottles. If you use a compact, wash the puff or sponge every few weeks.

4. Concealer

Average life span: one year

If you use a pan or stick formula, you'll know it's gone bad when it cracks or turns tough and elastic-like. It's time to throw out your liquid concealer if it separates, appears oily, and/or smells rancid.

Keeping hands out of your concealer's pot or pan and tightly screwing on the lid can save it from spoiling before the year is up.

5. Blush and Eye Shadow

Average life span: one to two years

Expect creams to last one year, powders about two. If your powder grows a white crust or starts to crumble before that time, chuck it. "Creams tend to thicken and smell funny when they turn," said Dr. Graf.

Other life-extending tips apply too—use cotton swabs, tighten lids, and avoid heat and sunlight. You can also protect powders by keeping them dry and storing them in a place other than the bathroom, where humidity can alter their texture.

6. Lipstick

Average life span: eight months

Unless it turns gooey, smells rubbery, or no longer applies to your lips, you can safely use lipstick for at least eight months. Of course, if lipstick comes into contact with a cold sore or another type of infection, throw it away.

7. Makeup Brushes

Average life span: a year or longer, depending on the type

Natural hair brushes—the ones you use for powdered products—can last almost a lifetime if taken care of. Wash them once a week with gentle soap and warm water, and then set them on a table to dry with the brush end hanging off the edge.

Synthetic brushes, used for creams, last only about a year and need to be cleaned at least twice a week with an alcohol-based cleaner. Toss them when they start shedding, become rigid, or stop applying color evenly.

8. Fragrances

Average life span: three to five years

Depending on their contents, perfumes can have a long shelf life. For example, some fragrances may have phthalates, which are chemical-based compounds that help the smell of a fragrance last longer.

It follows then that an expired fragrance may smell worse or may have little to no smell like it did when you first sprayed or used it. In some cases, the perfume might also change color as it ages.

9. Nail Polish

Average life span: two to three years

Nail polish generally lasts a long time. However, polish that has gone bad—in other words, that's hard to use—will be thick when you try to apply it, dried out, or separated. If that happens, you may want to replace the polish if possible.

Keeping nail polish with the lid on tight can help it from drying out early. It's also helpful to store nail polish where it won't consistently be exposed to sunlight.

A Quick Review

Some cosmetic products, such as mascaras, may last only a few months, while others—like fragrances—can last years. Still, it's good to remember that they expire or will no longer be usable at some point. If you notice any changes in appearance, consistency, or smell, that's a good sign to throw makeup products away and opt for replacements.