Cosmetic Expiration Dates 

You probably throw away food when it has reached its expiration date. The same should be true with your cosmetics. If you think about it, moisturizers and foundations get absorbed into your skin, lipstick gets ingested when you sip your coffee or eat a meal.

Bottom line: your makeup should be as fresh as the food you eat.Unfortunately, there are no regulations or requirements under current United States law that require cosmetic manufacturers to print expiration dates on the labels of cosmetic products. Therefore, as a consumer it is your responsibility to make sure the products you are using are not spoiled or contaminated and that they have not lost their effectiveness.

How do you know?

The expiration clock starts ticking the moment a product is opened. If a product has changed color, consistency or smell (no matter how long you have had it), it's a sign it has gone bad. However, there may be no visible sign of spoilage.

Here are some guidelines:

Products once opened should be replaced as follows:

Cleanser - 6 months

Toner - 1 year

Moisturizers - 6 months

Liquid or cream foundation - 6 months

Concealer - 6 months

Pressed powder - 1 year

Loose powder - 1 year

Eye shadow - 1 year

Eye pencils - 1 year

Mascara - 30-45 days

Blush - 1 year

Lip gloss - 1 year

Lipstick - 1 year

Lip pencils - 1 year

*Source: Makeup Scenes

Other precautions to observe to keep your cosmetics safe and effective:

1. Before applying makeup, wash your face and hands with soap and water.

2. Never share makeup—even with a close friend or family member.

3. When testing products at the store, ask the salesperson for a new disposable applicator.

4. Never add water or other liquid to a product to bring back its original consistency. This could introduce bacteria that can easily grow out of control.

5. Keep makeup out of sunlight and store in a cool, dry place.6

. Make sure containers are tightly closed when not in use.

7. Return or discard any product that causes an allergic reaction at once.

8. Do not use eye makeup if you have an eye infection and discard all eye products you were using when you discovered the infection.