How Expired Makeup Destroy Your Skin

Is your skin revealing an ailment? It’s to our disadvantage that expired makeup isn’t as cut-and-dry as expired food. Because of the seemingly deceiving tactfulness of cosmetics (those with no labels of dates of expiration) and the lengthy list of ways that we can still use it, there’s a good chance our makeup is sending the “red” warning signs — and our skin is paying the price.

“What we place on our skin can be just as impactful, and even harmful, as what we ingest,” says board certified aesthetician Louise Callaghan. Sixty percent of what we put on our skin is absorbed, so when we use expired makeup it’s like we’re inviting bacteria to have a party on our face. In other words, only use expired makeup if you’re a fan of skin and eye infections. (FYI: That was sarcasm.)

Here’s the thing, although makeup does include preservatives meant to kill bacteria from everyday use, they’re not exactly Kryptonite. The second you open your new beauty product, it’s subjected to airborne bacteria (and other forms) each time you use it — then, you know, you start abusing your makeup by storing it in the bathroom, sticking your paws in it, sharing it with friends, and oh yeah, cleaning your makeup brushes once every decade.

Small amounts of bacteria, while uber-gross, aren’t the end of the world (that’s what your immune system is for). But over time, the bacteria grows and becomes more dominant, especially as the makeup ages and loses its “strength” to fight against it. The composition of the makeup changes and turns into toxins, which is why expired makeup often changes color or smells funky. When its active ingredients and stabilizers break down, the risk of your makeup carrying an infection increases and can turn your face into one hot mess.

Makeup Brushes
Just think about it, your makeup brushes and sponges are in your bathroom, partying it up with the airborne viruses. As you use them, you transfer those viruses into your makeup and onto your face — do this again and again, and your eyeshadows, blushes and foundations become nasty little Petri dishes. Blech.

“As bacteria develops within makeup, it can cause irritated skin, breakouts, redness, as well as visible protein build-up under the skin’s surface,” says Amanda Gabbard, beauty specialist and makeup expert at the Waldorf Astoria’s Guerlain Spa in New York — not to mention boils, rashes and dermatitis (little red bumps that look like acne). As for expired mascara, “Potential hazards from expired mascara include itchy, watery, red eyes and in severe cases, conjunctivitis (pink eye),” says Cecilia Wong, founder of Cecilia Wong Skincare.

Shelf life depends on ingredients
Products that contain mainly water have the shortest shelf life because water encourages bacteria growth, as do products that are mostly waxes or contain plant extracts. You should be extra careful with products that are preservative-free, since the preservatives are often what fight against bacteria growth. Powders and other products that contain barely any water last the longest.

Safeguard your skin by:

1. Keeping track of when your makeup expires based on when you first open the product (keep a Sharpie in your makeup bag to conveniently mark each one).
2. Storing your makeup in a cool, dry place and regularly cleaning your makeup applicators (or regularly changing disposable ones).
3. Doing a periodic check of your makeup by using the infographic above.

Source: sheknows.com

Image credit: sheknows.com