We all have those products that only make an appearance once every year. There are also the products that constantly remain at the bottom of our makeup bag regardless of what time of the year it is. It’s never easy parting ways with some of your beloved beauty products. It can be very tough especially when these products are hardly ever used, hard to come by, and super expensive. I think we’re all guilty of being overly sentimental about beauty products, including me.
However, beauty products aren’t made to last forever and a day. As the saying goes, “all good things must come to an end.” The same applies to beauty products. Holding on to expired products is beyond gross, it is potentially harmful to your skin and overall wellbeing. Bacteria and micro-organisms are present in almost everything, and products usually serve as their playground. There is a stipulated time to hold on to some products and a time to let them go. Keeping them way past their due date may be causing your skin more harm, contributing to the very same skin issues you are trying to banish.
Things To Note About Beauty Products
There are a few things we all need to know about beauty products before and after making a purchase. Having this knowledge at the back of your mind can potentially help you make better choices when shopping for beauty products.
Every Beauty Product Expires
Have it at the back of your mind that the luxury lipstick you are about to buy is undoubtedly going to expire someday. Knowing this prepares your mind for a time when you will have to toss that lipstick once it has gone past its due date. It could also help you make use of it more often than you usually would.
Every single beauty item purchased will eventually go bad if not used up. Expiration dates vary from product to product, and it depends on the nature of the product as well. How you make use of the products and where you keep these products can also influence the expiration date.
Period After Opening (POA)
Most beauty products come with a POA symbol either on the pack or on the body of the products. We probably would have noticed this symbol but we’re oblivious to what it means or stands for. As the name implies, the POA symbol tells you how long you have to use a product after opening before it’s time to toss it.
The open jar symbol before the recycle symbol with the number 12 in it is the POA. it simply means 12 months after opening this bottle of foundation it should be thrown away. Sadly this information is on the packaging and not on the container itself, which means once you toss the box, that’s the end. At other times it is difficult to recollect when exactly you broke the seal and started using the products, which makes it difficult to estimate the given period.
A remedy to this is using a pen or a sharp tool to inscribe the date you opened the product. It is more accurate and helpful than simply relying on the POA symbol alone.
Identifying Bad Beauty Products
It’s crucial to know when your beauty products have started going bad, even if it hasn’t gotten to the expiration date yet. Products that have changed color from when you bought them, have a funny smell and have a different texture from when you used them originally are all signs that you need to get rid of these products. Also, if you noticed that your liquid products are separating or have become very runny, it’s a sign that the product is bad.
You should also be aware of the fact that liquid products get contaminate faster than powder products. Finally, you should be wary of any product that is labeled as free of preservatives. If there isn’t some kind of preservative then be prepared for them to go bad faster than other products in your kit. Just imagine these products like fresh vegetables, they have a very short lifespan, even when placed in the refrigerator.
When To Trash Your Beauty Products
Products vary in type and so do their trash dates. The conditions in which they are stored also affect this date. Other factors like not sharing these products, keeping them in a cool and dry place, not sticking your fingers in the products, and keeping them away from light also come into play. These factors ensure that you can use your products till the longest possible date.
So, when should you trash your beauty products?
- Powder-based products typically last 2 to 3 years.
- Stick, liquid, or cream products last 6 months to 1 year
- Mascaras and eyeliners should stay for 3 to 6 months. If your mascara dries out, trash it. Don’t add water or any other liquid substance to make it last longer.
- Lip gloss, lip pencils, and lipsticks last 2 to 3 years.
How To Store Your Beauty Products
Storing your products ensures their longevity and prevents them from getting contaminated fast. Here are the right ways to store your beauty products.
- Always wash your hands before using any product.
- If you’ve just suffered an eye infection, you should toss out eye products used. It prevents the preservation of the bacteria that possibly caused the infection in the first place.
- Store your beauty products in a drawer or cabinet.
- Store skincare products in the refrigerator.
- Stop pumping your mascara to get the product out. Doing so traps air in the tube which dries out the remaining product.
- Buy authentic products from trusted stores.
- Avoid putting your makeup product in the sunlight.
- Avoid sharing your beauty products with others, even family members.
- Always clean the cap and body of your products after use or if you notice stains, spillage, or if it drops to the floor.
- Close and tighten the cap of products after use.
- Follow the expiration dates on the products and also look out for the POA symbol.
These simple steps will not only preserve your beauty products but will ensure they are free from contamination so you get the best out of them.
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