How Long Is Too Long for Makeup?
How Long Is Too Long for Makeup?
Let's face it-most women are guilty of keeping makeup around for way too long. They think they are being thrifty by making cosmetics last as long as possible. After all, they've spent a lot of money on them and don't want to be wasteful by throwing away "perfectly good products." Little do they know that these "perfectly good products" can make them sick if the products are too old? As consumers, you need to be aware of the dangers of using makeup that is too old. As beauty supply retailers, you have the added responsibility of educating your customers on the necessity of regularly replacing cosmetics.
Because cosmetics contain water, oils and other ingredients that enable bacteria, fungi and viruses to grow, consumers need to be aware of how long different types of cosmetics can be used before they become unsafe. Although powerful preservatives are used in cosmetic products to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and other germs that cause infection, they are only effective for a certain amount of time. In addition, external factors such as exposure to heat, air and light reduce the potency of preservatives and cause products to deteriorate sooner.

So, although preservatives play a crucial role in ensuring cosmetic safety, their effectiveness depends on the age of the product and on the extent of heat, light and air exposure of the product.
The best way to make sure that cosmetics are safe is to store them correctly and to replace them often. Correct storage means keeping product containers tightly closed to minimize exposure to the air and placing them in cool, dark places where they have limited contact with light and heat. The shelf life of specific cosmetic items varies. For example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises that special attention be paid to eye-area cosmetics because of the risk of eye infections. Other products, such as nail polish, present a lower risk of infection and therefore have a longer shelf life. Here are some guidelines to help you advise customers on how often they should replace their cosmetics:

Mascara: 3 months
Eye gels and creams: 3 months
Moisturizers: 3 months to 1 year
Face creams and lotions: 6 months
Sunscreen and products with SPF: 1 season
Blush or foundation sponges: 1 week
Concealer: 12 to 18 months
Liquid foundation: 3 to 6 months
Powder foundation or blush: 2 years
Powder eye shadow: 2 years
Cream eye shadow: 12 to 18 months
Eyeliner: 2 years
Lip liner: 2 years
Lipstick: 1 to 2 years
Lip-gloss: 1 to 2 years
Fragrance: 1 to 2 years
Nail polish: 2 years
Toners: 1 year
Face wash: 1 to 2 years		 Many factors affect the safety and efficacy of various cosmetic products. For example, creams that are packaged in wide-mouthed jars are more susceptible to contamination because the products are exposed to more air and thus break down more rapidly. Products such as moisturizers, creams and toners that contain antioxidants like Vitamins A, C & E or other active ingredients need to be replaced regularly because their daily light and air exposure reduces their potency. Concealers are especially vulnerable to contamination because they are used to cover blemishes that may be infected or that may contain more bacteria. If the brush used to apply the concealer is not cleaned after each use, it will spread the germs. Other products that are open to contamination are lipsticks, lip-glosses, lip liners and lip brushes if they are used when the consumer has cold sores or fever blisters.
Products can become spoiled even before the recommended expiration period. Generally, if a product changes color, smells bad or irritates the skin, it should be discarded immediately. Here are some typical signs of contamination and spoilage to look out for:
* Foundations, creams, nail polish: Ingredients begin to settle or separate, texture thins or thickens.
* Mascara: The product becomes clumpy or the brush doesn't transfer the product evenly onto lashes. *Lipstick: Oils turn rancid, product loses shine and becomes matte, color fades, and drops appear on the product.
* Pressed powder and powder eye shadow: Glaze forms on top, product dries and crumbles, or cracks. * Oil-free foundation: Product darkens, dries out and becomes clumpy.
United States regulations do not require cosmetics manufacturers to specify expiration dates on their products, but most manufacturers provide voluntary shelf-life guidelines, which vary depending on the product and its intended use. Doina Sandulache, vice president of Skincare Research and Development at BioCosmetic Research said, "Usually cosmetic products should be replaced between 12 and 24 months." She adds that skin care products have a shorter shelf life and should be replaced after six months. To achieve the best results when using their skin care products, Sandulache suggests that customers use the products as often as recommended.
This means that the products are often finished long before six months is up and the risk of contamination is obviously reduced.
So remember to ask your customers when they replaced their cosmetics last. Apart from generating extra sales for your store, you will be doing your customers a favor by alerting them to the hazards of using old makeup!
Article taking from "OTC" magazine issue Apr 2006