WARNING: don't use expired makeup!!

[avocadolover]

Science Daily looks at the hazards of using older makeup. If you are suffering from recurring breakouts and it's been a while since you replaced that foundation or powder, read on...


Source: Baylor Health Care System Date: August 12, 2007
Food Isn't The Only Thing That Can Expire -- Old Makeup Can Harbor Dangerous Bacteria

Science Daily — Is your mascara clumpy? Your liquid foundation thickening? Can’t remember what year you bought your half-used lipstick? Dermatologists say your old makeup may be causing you blemishes or even worse—it could lead to a dangerous infection.




“Most women do have a drawer full of cosmetics that have been partially used,” says Angela Bowers, M.D., dermatologist on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine.
Those old makeup containers may be full of more than just powder, they could be harboring dangerous bacteria. So how do you know when to throw them out?
“It’s difficult to know because cosmetics usually don’t include expiration dates,” adds Dr. Bowers.
Experts say you should go by when you first opened the makeup. Eye make-ups and liquid foundations last the least amount of time and should be tossed out after just three months.
“The bacteria can get in there and the preservatives might not be working quite as well as they were when you first opened it. If you get some of that in your eye you may develop conjuctivitus which we know as ‘pink-eye,’” explains Dr. Bowers.
Powders and foundations opened more than a year ago can also cause problems.
“Some women may develop a peri-oral dermatitis from using some old, expired makeup that might irritate the skin and cause little red bumps that look like acne,” adds Dr. Bowers.
In addition to makeup, makeup applicators should be replaced regularly as well.
“If you use sponges to apply makeup, you should replace those at least once a week,” says Dr. Bowers.
It may be painful for most women to throw out expensive products, but not doing so could hurt worse.
“If you end up in the doctor’s office with an infection, all those savings are negated. You always want to have a clean face with some good, fresh product on there,” adds Dr. Bowers.


Also, sharing lipsticks is another way that makeup can cause health problems. Sharing lipsticks, lip glosses or lip balms with someone who may have a strain of the herpes virus could leave you with cold sores of your own. Remember, people can harbor this particular virus on their lips without having an active cold sore so it will not always be visible.
If makeup looks old or changes texture is it a good idea to throw it out?
Yes, experts even advise to smell your makeup. An unusual odor usually means that it contains bacteria.
Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Baylor Health Care System.

[Hilly]

I dont mind throwing out foundations, lip glosses, mascaras, but hell- I'll be dammed if I have to throw out my beloved eye shadow, piggie, lipstick, liner collections! lol

Makes you think....argh lol. Good article tho!

[Wannabe Junkie]

I'm interested to find the research that this article is based on and how robust it was (I can't find the article on the site ). I have to say I think it sounds over the top - have a look at this thread.

I would like to see which 'dangerous bacteria' they suggest would live in make up. As discussed in the thread I've linked to, the likelihood of passing herpes via make up is very low as it's not the way the virus is transferred.

I won't be throwing my make up away every 3 months anyway!!

[courters]

I throw out my mascara every 3 months, but I have sensitive, allergy prone eyes and I wear contacts - so I have to be extra careful unless I want to have to wear my glasses 24/7!

Everything else I just go by the smell/texture test. If it stills feels, looks, and smells the same as when I bought it, I keep it!

I try to not store my makeup in the bathroom, because the extra humidity will make it go bad faster. I also never share my makeup and never use my lip stuff if I have a cold sore. I guess I'm pretty careful with it, the only product I've ever had go bad was my Clinique Moisture On-line and that was after having it for over a year (a little goes a looong way).

[MACATTAK]

Quote:

I'll be dammed if I have to throw out my beloved eye shadow, piggie,

Foundations & mascaras are one thing, but no way on the shadows or pigments!

[Ambi]

So use up that Pleasureflush you paid $200 for but never use 'cause you're too afraid you'll run out before it eats your face!

[blondebunny76]

I throw out my mascara after 3 months. I always use up my foundation before it goes bad.

[panda0410]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdirenzo

I'll be dammed if I have to throw out my beloved eye shadow, piggie,... collections!

Yuh huh - I wont be throwing my beloved piggie collection away in a hurry either!!! I just bought Silver frost piggie from 2001 - and it wont be going anywhere!!!

[gigglegirl]

Not sure how accurate this is as I have no background in this but I agree with the mascara-3 month type window and the ones for some liquid things. I don't know if I justify it in my head but I feel that by using brushes for my eyeshadows, pigments and paint pots makes it safe, and by cleaning my brushes at a minimum weekly, sometimes every couple days if I use a paint pot will allow me to keep my collection for a long time!

Has anyone had an eyeshadow go bad? I guess we don't know about paint pots since they are so new, I guess I'll chuck 'em if and when they dry up!

[aziajs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gigglegirl

Not sure how accurate this is as I have no background in this but I agree with the mascara-3 month type window and the ones for some liquid things. I don't know if I justify it in my head but I feel that by using brushes for my eyeshadows, pigments and paint pots makes it safe, and by cleaning my brushes at a minimum weekly, sometimes every couple days if I use a paint pot will allow me to keep my collection for a long time!

Has anyone had an eyeshadow go bad? I guess we don't know about paint pots since they are so new, I guess I'll chuck 'em if and when they dry up!

I have. My Ricepaper went bad. It had an odd smell and started to irritate my eyes so I tossed it.

[MACa6325xi]

Well, I guess it's time for me to get rid of the StudioFix I've had since 2000, the Pressed and Studio Finish Powders circa 1996. LOL

[frocher]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gigglegirl

Has anyone had an eyeshadow go bad? I guess we don't know about paint pots since they are so new, I guess I'll chuck 'em if and when they dry up!

I have as well, it didn't smell bad, but the texture was different so I just pitched it.

[sitasati]

May be you guys with the old makeup can return it to the BACK TO MAC program and get a free lipstick! I bought Urban Decay Big fatty mascara in June..its August now. Must I throw it away?? ::: It sucks by the way, doesn't do anything it promises but it's the only mascara that doesn't clump up on me. I'm gonna try Mac's Zoomlash! ...hehe

[shadowaddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sitasati

May be you guys with the old makeup can return it to the BACK TO MAC program and get a free lipstick! I bought Urban Decay Big fatty mascara in June..its August now. Must I throw it away?? ::: It sucks by the way, doesn't do anything it promises but it's the only mascara that doesn't clump up on me. I'm gonna try Mac's Zoomlash! ...hehe

Have you tried Mac's Mascara X? I love it. I have trouble with mascaras also but this one has been good to me.

[shadowaddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blondebunny76

I throw out my mascara after 3 months. I always use up my foundation before it goes bad.

Yeah me too, never have to worry about foundations. I use them up. But I've always heard e/s would pretty much last forever. But I can see if they're exposed to fingers or whatever maybe. But what about unopened items such as my back-ups like l/s and l/g? :confused:

[frocher]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowaddict

Yeah me too, never have to worry about foundations. I use them up. But I've always heard e/s would pretty much last forever. But I can see if they're exposed to fingers or whatever maybe. But what about unopened items such as my back-ups like l/s and l/g? :confused:

I think those can be compromised as well. Everything has a shelf life, if you are concerned try keeping them in a cool and dark environment, that will probably slow the process.

Powders, for the most part, seem pretty stable to me though, I have had a blush for 5 years, and it is identical in texture and performance as the day it was purchased. It doesn't break me out, and I don't have particularly resistant skin.

Mascara and foundations need to be replaced frequently, imo. Followed by lip and cream products.

[Marielle001]

All of this herpes hype drives me a little bit nuts... I was under the impression that you couldn't get it from an inanimate object.

Anyway, my mascara runs out before it expires. Everything else I try to keep clean as possible by using fresh brushes. I've never had any problems with break outs or irritation. I do throw things out that have gotten old that I don't use.

[SparklingWaves]

I get bored with products or a color and I pitch them after a year or so.

[aeni]

Weird, I normally reset my eyeshadows the same way as in the pigment pressing tutorial - think that'd kill any bacteria! Haven't had anything funky smelling or looking yet.

[xphoxbex]

hmm, i really don't want to toss out my shadows, i still have alot. so i wonder, what if. just what if i wiped the top of them with alcohol? since everyone does their pigment pressing with alcohol? do u guys think that will at least kill some of the bacteria.. i'm worried now

[aeni]

Until your shadows turn color or start to smell, you should be ok. One of my instructors has some very old MAC shadows (when the packaging for the shadows was larger and had way more product) and they're still good! Those powders are meant to stick around. Anything liquid or creamy is meant to be used up within a certain amount of time (foundation, mascara, liner, lipstick, etc - though I've found that using alcohol to clean liners and lipsticks help in the long run).

[RoseMe]

I still keep some of my lippies from high school time (and I am post grad and working now ) and yes, they do smell. Luckily I never even used those once in all these years.......

[Kuuipo]

My mom had some three year old shadows she loved and used till she got a horrid skin infection of the eyelids and they itched,swelled shut badly and she required cortisone and antibiotics for weeks. Wear your good eyeshadow...what are you waiting for? You could be dead tomorrow. Life is not guaranteed.

[jillianjiggs]

just dont let water or wetness near pigments or eyeshadows and they should be fine for a long time.

[Kuuipo]

Using old makeup could lead to dangerous infections
Tuesday August 7 2007 19:06 IST ANI
WASHINGTON: Most women have a huge collection of old or partially used makeup, but what they don’t know is that application of these outdated products could lead to a dangerous infection.

Dermatologists say that old makeup may be containing more than just powder; they could be harbouring dangerous bacteria.

“Most women do have a drawer full of cosmetics that have been partially used,” says Angela Bowers, M.D., dermatologist on the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine.

On when to dispose of these old cosmetics she said, “It’s difficult to know because cosmetics usually don’t include expiration dates.”

Experts say that people should go by when they first opened the makeup, in order to determine the expiry date.

Out of the entire cosmetic products, eye make-ups and liquid foundations last the least amount of time and should be thrown after just three months.

“The bacteria can get in there and the preservatives might not be working quite as well as they were when you first opened it. If you get some of that in your eye you may develop conjunctivitis, which we know as ‘pink-eye,’” explains Dr. Bowers.

Dr. Bowers added that powders and foundations opened more than a year ago can also cause infections.

“Some women may develop a peri-oral dermatitis from using some old, expired makeup that might irritate the skin and cause little red bumps that look like acne,” she says.

And its not just makeup, but makeup applicators that should be replaced regularly. “If you use sponges to apply makeup, you should replace those at least once a week,” says Dr. Bowers.

It may be painful for most women to throw away expensive products, but not doing so could hurt worse.

“If you end up in the doctor’s office with an infection, all those savings are negated. You always want to have a clean face with some good, fresh product on there,” she adds.

Dr. Bowers says that sharing lipsticks is another way by which makeup can cause health problems. Sharing lipsticks, lip glosses or lip balms with someone who may have a strain of the herpes virus could leave you with cold sores of your own, she explains.

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