When to Toss Your Makeup

Find out the shelf life of your favorite beauty products.

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Mascara - Knowing when to throw away sour milk is basically a no-brainer, but what about your makeup? Unlike food, figuring out the shelf life of cosmetics takes a bit of vigilance on your part. Expired makeup could lead to breakouts and even infections, so keep reading to learn about the shelf life of your favorite products.Shelf Life: 6 MonthsOur go-to cosmetic for enhancing our lashes, mascara is also the makeup tool we should be most careful about keeping. Bacteria enters the tube between all the inserting and removal of the wand, which means potential redness, itchiness, sties or even pinkeye. Quick tip: If your mascara starts to develop a distinct gasoline-like smell, it's time for a new one.(Photo: JGI/Jamie Grill/GettyImages)

Lipgloss & Lipstick - Shelf Life: IndefiniteHas your lipstick gotten extra dry and hard? Is your gloss getting super sticky? If so, it's probably time to toss. As for shelf life, because they don't contain water, lipstick and lipgloss have a very low bacteria growth rate. (Photo: Smashbox)

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Lipgloss & Lipstick - Shelf Life: IndefiniteHas your lipstick gotten extra dry and hard? Is your gloss getting super sticky? If so, it's probably time to toss. As for shelf life, because they don't contain water, lipstick and lipgloss have a very low bacteria growth rate. (Photo: Smashbox)

Eyeliner - Shelf Life: 3 Months - 1 YearWhether pencil, liquid or gel, eyeliners help make our peepers pop, but should be replaced about every three months to a year due to bacteria growth. Expired eyeliners don't really have any visible signs of contamination. But, if a white film starts to develop on the tip of your pencil, it's past its prime.(Photo: Stila)

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Eyeliner - Shelf Life: 3 Months - 1 YearWhether pencil, liquid or gel, eyeliners help make our peepers pop, but should be replaced about every three months to a year due to bacteria growth. Expired eyeliners don't really have any visible signs of contamination. But, if a white film starts to develop on the tip of your pencil, it's past its prime.(Photo: Stila)

Powder & Blush - Shelf Life: 2 YearsGreat news: face powders have one of the longest shelf lives out of all the items in your makeup bag. Not-so-good news: the more dry and flaky your powder gets, the worse off it is. (Photo: Sephora) 

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Powder & Blush - Shelf Life: 2 YearsGreat news: face powders have one of the longest shelf lives out of all the items in your makeup bag. Not-so-good news: the more dry and flaky your powder gets, the worse off it is. (Photo: Sephora) 

Eyeshadow - Shelf Life: 3 Months - 2 YearsEyeshadows and creams are constantly in contact with a mucous membrane, so any bacteria that's been growing in the product might transfer to your eyes. Replace these items after about three months. In addition to color changes and funny smells, make sure to wash your hands before applying if you use your fingers.(Photo: NARS) 

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Eyeshadow - Shelf Life: 3 Months - 2 YearsEyeshadows and creams are constantly in contact with a mucous membrane, so any bacteria that's been growing in the product might transfer to your eyes. Replace these items after about three months. In addition to color changes and funny smells, make sure to wash your hands before applying if you use your fingers.(Photo: NARS) 

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Liquid Foundation & Concealer - Shelf Life: 6 months - 2 YearsPutting on spoiled liquid foundations can cause irritation or breakouts, so don't apply any that has separated, lightened or developed a funny smell.(Photo: Sephora) 

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Liquid Foundation & Concealer - Shelf Life: 6 months - 2 YearsPutting on spoiled liquid foundations can cause irritation or breakouts, so don't apply any that has separated, lightened or developed a funny smell.(Photo: Sephora) 

Moisturizer - Self Life: 1-3 YearsIf it's in a package with a pump, then your moisturizer can last anywhere from 12 to 36 months. Jarred creams mean finger-dipping, which introduces bacteria into the moisturizer and lowers the shelf life to six to nine months. An expired moisturizer usually does not damage or impair skin, but it won't hydrate or lock in moisture very well.  (Photo: Sephora)

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Moisturizer - Self Life: 1-3 YearsIf it's in a package with a pump, then your moisturizer can last anywhere from 12 to 36 months. Jarred creams mean finger-dipping, which introduces bacteria into the moisturizer and lowers the shelf life to six to nine months. An expired moisturizer usually does not damage or impair skin, but it won't hydrate or lock in moisture very well.  (Photo: Sephora)

Nail Polish - Shelf Life: IndefiniteWith proper storage, polish can last anywhere from one year to forever, but it's most important to check for signs of spoiling, like clumps or color fading, rather than relying on a designated shelf life. Just make sure to keep your beloved varnishes out of direct sunlight and in a dark, cool setting.(Photo: NARS)

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Nail Polish - Shelf Life: IndefiniteWith proper storage, polish can last anywhere from one year to forever, but it's most important to check for signs of spoiling, like clumps or color fading, rather than relying on a designated shelf life. Just make sure to keep your beloved varnishes out of direct sunlight and in a dark, cool setting.(Photo: NARS)