When we shop at the supermarket, all products have an expiry date and it makes it easier for us to know when and how to consume them. Unfortunately, it is not so simple with regards to our cosmetics. Whether mascara, lipstick, nail polish or foundation, each product has its own lifetime and it is important to know how long we can keep them.
How to decipher your packagings
By accumulating beauty products, one tends to forget when they were opened and to take lightly the good to keep them. The consumer has virtually no way of knowing when the products were designed, however, the producer has an obligation to encode them so that the distributor is able to decipher this code. It is usually a combination of numbers, undecodable by the consumer. For some time now, however, it is possible to know the life span of the majority of cosmetics thanks to two specific codes.
On the one hand, PAO, period after opening (see image above); It is a pictogram symbolized by a small open pot and which indicates, in months, the lifetime of the product from its first use ie 12 M, 18 M, 24 M etc. It does not apply to perfumes or deodorants. On the other hand, the use-by date (DLU) which corresponds to the expiration date of the product. It is important to pay attention to these two mentions when you buy your cosmetics so as not to take the risk of using out-of-date products on the skin.
Consequences of the use of obsolete products
Indeed, using an outdated cosmetic product can be risky because some components can cause skin reactions such as redness, itching or irritation. It is essential not only to respect the deadline mentioned on the packaging of your products, but also to conserve them in order to maximize their lifespan. To do this, remember to store your cosmetics in a dry place away from light and heat to avoid the proliferation of bacteria (avoid to store your products in the bathroom), bet on tubes or Pumps rather than pots to reduce the risk of contamination and finally clean the inside of your lids to prevent the excess product from oxidizing and contaminating the remaining contents.
You must also respect certain hygiene rules by washing your hands before using your make-up, regularly cleaning your brushes and avoiding sharing your beauty products to avoid any risk of infection.
If you ever think that some of your products are still of good quality even if they expire and you decide to continue using them, here are some tips to know that the time has come to separate you from them:
Regarding lipstick, if you notice that its smell has turned and it smells out of date, it is time to get rid of it. For powder eyeshadows, if they are dry and you feel that once applied they are dusty and dull, that means they have done their time. As for the mascara, do not play with the fire and respect the date affixed on the tube in order not to risk to damage your eyes.
- Indications concerning the life of your cosmetics
- Mascara and eye liner: 3 to 6 months
- Tubular tube anchors: 3 to 6 months
- Cleansing milk: 6 to 9 months
- Foundation: 9 months to 1 year
- Blush: 2 to 3 years
- Eyeshadow: 2 to 3 years
- Powder: 2 to 3 years
- Eye Pencil: 2 years
- Eyebrow pencil: 2 years
- Red and lip liner: 2 years
- Nail varnish: 12 to 24 months
If you follow these tips and tricks to the letter, you will be able to properly conserve your cosmetics and maximize their lifespan!