Attention all babes: if you have expired products in your makeup bag, it’s time to get rid of it (even if it’s not empty yet). We know it’s hard - makeup and skincare products are expensive! But we’ve got a few compelling reasons why you should say, “out with the old and in with the new.”  

So, when do beauty products go bad? Let's see! 👀⬇️

Some organic products will have a shorter lifespan, and some products - like Babe’s performance-based cosmetics will have longer ones. Be sure to check the PAO (period after opening) label on your makeup to see what kind of timeline you are working with. We’ll leave that part up to you!

Why Do I Need to Replace My Expired Products? 🤔

There are three big reasons why you should replace your expired makeup:

You don’t spend money on makeup and skincare for it to not give you results, right? Unfortunately, most cosmetics slowly lose their effectiveness (usually due to drying out or excess moisture). And if you use a performance-based cosmetic, it’s particularly important to make sure the ingredients don’t lose potency. 

Dermatologists refer to it as acne cosmetica, but you’re welcome to call it what it is - a breakout caused by expired makeup. Skip the clogged pores by only using products that benefit your skin.

Even from the safety of your own home, you’re at risk of infection when you use an old product. For example, liquid eyeliner and most mascaras are subject to flaking and housing bacteria, which could cause an allergic reaction or eye infection.

3 Ways to Increase Your Cosmetics’ Lifespan

Don’t panic. There are a few ways to extend the life of (some of) your cosmetics:

1.  Keep Makeup in a Dry Area

If possible, try to store your makeup in a different room than the humid bathroom. The steam and humidity from your shower wreak havoc on your makeup, softening and getting moisture trapped in the product, which could cause a bacterial buildup. Yikes!

2.  Use a Brush or Applicator

Even if you wash your hands ahead of time, your fingers contain oils and bacteria that can contaminate your makeup collection if you touch them. Stick with sanitized brushes and applicators to avoid introducing germs into your beauty products.

3.  Don’t Use Makeup With an Eye Infection

If you have an eye infection,DO NOT wear eye makeup or products until the infection has cleared up. There are two key points here - putting makeup onto infected skin slows down the healing process AND contaminates your makeup. That opens up the possibility of infecting yourself all over again - eek!

We know it’s hard to get rid of the makeup you love, but we want you to remember that this is a step in your self-care routine. By getting rid of something that could potentially cause damage to your complexion or your health, you are prioritizing yourself and acknowledging that you deserve to use the healthiest products on your skin.