Once it’s opened, makeup has a limited shelf life due to the introduction of air and bacteria during use. Dabbing our fingertips directly into products or by using a brush or sponge, we introduce germs into our products. Expired makeup can be a breeding ground for harmful microbes, leading to skin irritation and infections.

How to know when your product expires? There’s a tiny jar icon on most beauty products with a number followed by the letter M–this is the PAO or Period After Opening symbol. Once opened, this indicates the number of months the manufacturer/brand recommends the product be used for before discarding. 

Discarding expired makeup is not a marketing ploy to get you to buy more products. It’s a matter of safeguarding your skin health. Prolonged use of expired products can lead to clogged pores and acne breakouts.  According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, board-certified dermatologist Cynthia Bailey, MD, FAAD says, “Skin infection is the biggest problem. Over time, bacteria and mold often contaminate makeup. These germs can cause an eye infection or a common skin infection like impetigo or folliculitis.”