What You Really Need To Know About Out Of Date Make Up

People rarely read the small print when purchasing makeup and tend to get away with it.  However, there are certain scenarios where neglecting to take note of certain details can cause some serious harm.

Here, the eye and health specialist Ellen James at Pure Optical tells of the perils of using out of date make up, the need to knows surrounding the PAO symbols, why the countdown of your products life expectancy shouldn’t start when the product is purchased.

The Most Influential Symbol You Never Knew Existed

Providing that you are not allergic to any specific ingredients, the most crucial thing to look out for is the PAO (Period after opening) symbol.  The PAO is often overlooked however, it is fastest way to gauge when your make will expire.  The number within the symbol presents the lifespan of the product.

The countdown of a products life expectancy begins when the product is opened – not purchased.

Don’t Lay The Foundations For Acne

It is fairly easy to identify a product that has expired.  All make up products change in texture once perished and the smell becomes stagnant.

Liquids such as foundation often ‘separate’ within the carton as the oils rise and the package begins to harbour bacteria.  This bacterium can cause bumps that resemble acne to appear on the skin as it clogs the pores and can even cause eye infections.   This potentially causes a never-ending circle of issues as the bacteria will also contaminate the tools that you use to apply your foundation.

Yes, you can clean these however if the product on the sponge or brush has caused an eye infection, it is best just to throw the tools away.  This can obviously be costly, so it is best to avoid using expired make up full stop.

Foundations and liquids in general are very temperamental as their environment can cause them to expire pre PAO.  Liquids hate humidity so if you are keeping your make up in the bathroom where it is often steamy, remove them now.  When you are holidaying in hot climates, I often advise to keep your makeup in a cupboard in a cool place.

An Eye For Harbouring Bacteria

‘When people blasély state that they have had their Mascara ‘for ages’, I really do cringe,’ says Ellen James at Pure Optical.  ‘Using a Mascara that has expired is the fastest way to obtain a sty or pink eye.  Sties are very contagious and can be very stubborn.  Mascara that is ‘off’ is often flaky and ‘dried out’.  The flakes can enter the eye and be incredibly painful, especially if they are full of bacteria from the products container.’

Anything that is wet in consistency is the perfect environment for bacteria which is why mascara must be disposed of after 3 months.  Our lashes naturally contain bacteria that is then transferred onto the mascara wand and then into the tube.  For this reason, it is especially important not to share mascara with others.

The Costly Mistake Of Believing Your Make Up Was Off

It is common that hard blushers, bronzers and even eye shadows develop a hard film like substance on their surface.  This effects the pigment and ‘pay off’.  The film is created as the oils from the skin transfer onto your make up applicator and then again onto the product itself.  Essentially, the film is your skins oils.

This occurrence should not be associated with make up that has expired.  Gently scrape off the top of the hardened surface with a butter knife and continue to use as normal.

Ditch The Stick

For the most part, lipstick can still be applied past its PAO as it’s likely that its only effect will be that it is less pigmented.  However, if you have suffered infections such as cold sores or Impetigo, it is best to throw it away altogether.  Both bacterial infections are highly contagious and cross contamination through lipsticks is highly likely.

Ultimately, when a product loses its magic and does not work as effectively as before, it is likely that it has expired.  It can be really disappointing to throw away our favourite product when it is not fully used however, using a product that has expired can have major implications and it is likely that you will wish you would have just re purchased.

For the most part, length of expiry for each product is as follows –

Foundation ~ 18m

Mascara ~ 3m

Liquid Eyeline ~ 3m

Blush ~ 12m

Eyeshadow ~ 12m

Liquid Highlighter ~ 6m

Powdered Highlighter ~ 12-24m

Lip-gloss ~12m

Setting Spray ~ 6m