Skin Symptoms of Old Makeup

Sometimes old makeup can cause physical changes to the skin even when it had previously been fine. Watch for older makeup to cause mild rashes or acne. If you experience any of these problems, there is always a chance that your makeup is sending you a signal it's time to toss it.

The Appearance of Expired Makeup

Your cosmetics will change over time, and you may not even notice it unless you look closely. Here are some signs that your makeup is too old:

• • Cracks appear in your powder or blush compact
  • Liquid foundation begins to separate
  • Sponges look dirty or soiled
  • Creams or mascaras begin to dry out
  • Eyeliners become crumbly
  • Mascara begins to smell like burning plastichttp://living.health.com/2009/03/26/spring-clean-your-makeup/
  • Gloss is goopy
  • Nail polish thickens
  • Brushes start dropping hairs or lose their shape/stiffen
  • A change in color or odor of any product, including green, white, or black mold spots

Remember, anything that smells bad or looks "off" should be tossed right away.

But you may notice that most makeup products don't have an expiration date stamped on them. What gives? Makeup manufacturers aren't required to provide an expiration date, and don't want to discourage you from buying anything.

So here's what the makeup companies won't tell you: when your makeup expires.

The Lifespan of Makeup

LIPSTICK - 1 year. Lipstick is a bacteria breeding ground and should be discarded after only a year to be sanitary.

LIP LINER - 1 year. For the same reasons you want to toss that lipstick.

FOUNDATION - 1-2 years. If there is liquid separation, then it should be thrown out even sooner. Mixing it back together is ineffective and will likely only make a mess on your face. Toss out sooner if you touch your fingers directly to the bottle during application.

EYELINER - 2 years (pencil); 6 months (liquid). But discard immediately if you've used any while an eye infection was developing.

MASCARA - 3 months! You can blame this short lifespan on bacteria. For your health, toss it and buy new.

EYE SHADOW - 18 months-2 years (powder); 1 year (liquid).

BLUSHES & POWDERS - 18 months-2 years. Or sooner if your sponges and brushes haven't been regularly cleaned.

CONCEALER - 1 year.

NAIL POLISH - 1 year or less. Cheaper brands may thicken sooner and need to be tossed before 1 year is up.

MAKEUP SPONGES - 1-2 months. At the rate sponges collect dirt and bacteria, they really need to be replaced a lot sooner than the actual makeup.

MAKEUP BRUSHES - 2 years. Keeping them this long requires you to keep your brushes really clean by either shampooing and washing the brushes or treating them with rubbing alcoholhttp://www.girlsgetgoing.com/article_30.htm http://thebeautybunny.com/when-to-throw-your-makeup-away/ http://www.bellasugar.com/1124422

Store Your Makeup in a Dry and Cool Place Don't leave your makeup sitting on a sill in the sunlight. Heat and sunlight can ruin your makeup before its time. And as you can imagine, water is a fast way to ruin your makeup.

Clean Your Sponges Every Day You must rinse your applicator sponges after each time you use them! To do so, thoroughly rinse them and give them a quick wash with antibacterial hand soap or face wash. Every now and then, you can even toss them in the laundry! Then place your sponge in a place where it can dry completely. before being stored away. Even doing this vigilantly, you'll still need to discard each sponge after only 2 months and start fresh.http://www.helium.com/items/75621-tips-for-keeping-your-makeup-clean

Use Disposable Applicators If you are concerned about the health and safety of your sponges, swap those out for cotton swabs or cotton balls that you toss after every use.

Wash Your Powder Brushes Once a month, you should give your makeup brushes a good wash with some baby shampoo. When you place them out to dry, wring them out thoroughly and place on a dry towel on a flat surface. This will help the brushes keep their shape better. Doing this faithfully will ensure you can keep those brushes around for as long as 2 years.http://thebeautybunny.com/when-to-throw-your-makeup-away/

Keep Your Pencils Sharpened and Clean Remember to always sharpen your pencils and to keep them nice and dry--this includes keeping them from touching any of your saliva, which can contaminate it!

Keep Your Fingers Away From Your Bottle of Foundation If you don't touch your fingers to that bottle of foundation, then you'll expose the product to less bacteria and extend its life. Instead, use a cotton ball or sponge to apply your foundation.

Treat Your Mascara Gently Don't pump the mascara wand in and out of the bottle, as is so popular to do. You're only priming the pump for more bacteria to invade.

Don't Share Your Makeup! Sharing makeup is akin to sharing a soda with someone, you're sharing every bacterium and germ they have, and storing them away for later to grow and multiply. Keep your makeup and brushes all to yourself.

A lot of women will try to extend the life of separated liquid foundations or nail polishes by shaking the bottle up to remix it. BAD IDEA. The liquid won't stay mixed, and now the old goop your putting on your face won't last. It will probably end up running down your face. The better move is to just toss it and buy fresh.

Each time you buy some new makeup, check our expiration guide above, and use a magic marker or sticker to note when you should toss it. A note on the bottom of your eyeshadow case that reminds you "April 2011" will save you lots of confusion in the future.

Just remember to keep checking your own expiration date labels, and follow them!