How Long Should You Keep Your Makeup?

I get it, we all have that discontinued blusher we adore, or a perfect nude lipstick that’s been rolling around the bottom of a handbag for years. But just like the milk in your fridge, cosmetics have a shelf life.

Sticking to makeup expiration dates is about skin health. Old products harbour bacteria, which can lead to breakouts, skin irritation, and even nasty eye infections.

When was the last time you gave your makeup bag a proper clear-out? If you can’t remember, it’s time for a refresh.

Before you bin everything, check the back of your packaging for the PAO (Period After Opening) symbol. It looks like a small open jar with a number followed by M, such as 12M. This acts as a countdown, telling you exactly how many months the product is safe to use from the moment it is first opened.

• Shelf Life: 6 months to 1 year. Hygienic pumps last longer than open-topped jars.

• Time to Replace: If the formula has separated, changed colour, or smells slightly off.

• Expert Tip: Modern skin tints often contain active skincare ingredients like Vitamin C or Hyaluronic Acid. These can degrade faster than traditional foundations, so keep them in a cool, dark place.

Shelf Life: 1 year.

• Time to Replace: If it feels cakey, lumpy, or has become difficult to blend into the skin.

• Why? Because we often use the applicator directly on blemishes, the risk of bacterial transfer is high. If you’re mid-breakout, try swiping the product onto a clean finger or palette instead of using the wand directly on the skin.

• Shelf Life: 3 months. No exceptions.

• Time to Replace: If it smells like petrol, feels clumpy, or if you’ve recently had any kind of eye irritation.

• Top Tip: Never pump your mascara wand; it forces air into the tube, drying out the formula and inviting bacteria. Instead, swirl the wand gently inside the tube.

• Liquid & Gel: 3–6 months. These are moist environments where bacteria thrive.

• Pencils: Up to 2 years.

• Pro Tip: Sharpening your eye and brow pencils before every use removes the old surface layer, making them the most hygienic items in your collection.

• Shelf Life: 2 years.

• Time to Replace: If a hard, waxy film develops on the surface. This is usually caused by oils from your skin transferring via your brush.

• Keep it Fresh: Sanitise your makeup brushes weekly to extend the life of your powder products and prevent hard pan.

• Lipstick: 1–2 years.

• Lip Gloss: 6–12 months.

• Time to Replace: If the texture feels tacky, the pigment is streaky, or it smells like stale cooking oil.

• If you’re looking for your makeup to last longer, choose powder products over liquids and creams because they tend to have a longer shelf life. Minimise the risk of bacterial contamination for powder products by cleaning your makeup tools regularly. 

• Stop pumping your mascara. It will force air into the tube which can dry the formula as well as putting it at higher risk of bacterial contamination. Instead, move the wand in a circular motion whilst in the tube.

• Keep makeup out of moist environments (such as your bathroom) and away from heat – high temperatures can encourage bacterial growth and speed up the spoiling.

• As a rule of thumb, an off smell or a change in colour is an indication that the product needs to be thrown away.