What Are The Long-Term Effects Of Using Expired Cosmetics On Your Skin? Expert Weighs In

Using makeup beyond its recommended shelf life is a common occurrence for many. Despite the awareness of makeup expiration dates, not everyone consistently replaces products like mascaras or eyeshadow palettes. There's a prevalent belief that expired makeup remains safe for use, but this assumption isn't necessarily accurate. Risks accompany the use of expired makeup, such as clogged pores and bacterial proliferation. To shed light on this issue, we reached out to Dr. Deepak Kakhar, a renowned dermatologist from Dermosphere Clinic, for insights on the matter.

What Happens When You Use Expired Makeup?

Dr. Deepak Kakhar highlights the potential hazards of utilising expired makeup, emphasising that when product ingredients surpass their expiration date, it can be detrimental to the skin, potentially resulting in reactions like redness or irritation. Furthermore, if bacteria infiltrate an open container or adhere to a brush, they have the propensity to proliferate swiftly, giving rise to breakouts or other infections.

Use Of Expired Makeup Can Lead To Long Time Infections

Although it might appear innocuous to extract the last remnants from your beloved beauty products, Dr. Deepak Kakhar cautions that using expired makeup can pose significant risks to your health. He underscores the importance of being especially vigilant about the shelf life of eye makeup products, as studies indicate a substantial presence of bacteria in them towards the end of their lifespan.

Since mascara (mascara hacks) and other eye makeup products come into proximity to the eyes, the introduction of bacteria may lead to infections. Dr. Kakhar further explains that molecules in expired products can undergo breakdown, potentially triggering reactions and inflammation. Irritation resulting from the breakdown of molecules can manifest as contact dermatitis, a broad term encompassing skin inflammation that may lead to redness, bumps, a rash, or even blisters and swelling.

Using Expired Makeup Products Can Lead To Chronic Skin Problems

Continual use of expired makeup has the potential to contribute to persistent skin issues such as dermatitis and premature ageing. Repeated exposure to cosmetics beyond their recommended shelf life may exacerbate chronic skin conditions, leading to inflammation and an accelerated ageing process. This can manifest as an increased likelihood of developing dermatitis, a skin disorder characterised by redness, irritation, and discomfort.

Dr. Kakhar further adds that the breakdown of expired makeup ingredients may contribute to the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin, accelerating the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of premature ageing.

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Helpful Guidelines About Makeup To Keep In Mind

As many of us tend to overlook checking the expiration dates of our makeup products, Dr. Deepak Kakhar provides some practical guidelines to ensure safe usage:

Mascara and liquid eyeliner are generally considered safe for up to three months due to the increased risk of bacterial spread in liquid products used near the eyes.

Pencil-style eyeliners, gel eyeliners, and lip pencils can be safely used for up to a year.

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Water-based foundation typically remains effective for a year, while oil-based foundation maintains its quality for about 18 months.

Consider replacing cream-based foundation or blushes every six months to a year to ensure product freshness.

Properly stored powder products kept free from moisture, can be used for up to two years.

Lipstick is generally good for one to two years, while lip gloss is best used within six months to one year.

Adhering to these suggested timelines can help mitigate the risk of adverse reactions and bacterial contamination associated with expired makeup, promoting both skincare and overall well-being.

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