Expiration Dates for Cosmetics, Skin- and Hair-Care Products

Hello there, friends!

Have you ever wondered how long your skin-care and make-up products remain safe to use once they’ve been opened? Do you know when you should throw away your products?

Boy, have I got news for you! What I’m about to share with you will change the way you view products – be it the ones you currently have or ones you will be purchasing. This, I promise you. And this tip is handy for both men and women. :)

Seen this symbol below before? Or perhaps you never really paid attention to it or understood what it meant.

Products usually have a number followed by the letter “M” and an open jar symbol that indicate when to throw them away after they’ve been opened. The letter “M” stands for the Latin word for month and the number refers to how many months. 

For example, if you see “24 M” with an open jar symbol (like the one in the photo above), this means that you should throw the product away 24 months after you've opened it. Simple, isn’t it?

These are a few products that have the same symbol, but with different expiration dates:

Glad Hair Day Leave-In Conditioner
(expires 24 months after opening)

The Body Shop Vitamin C Energising Face Spritz
(expires 12 months after opening)

Make Up For Ever HD Foundation
(expires 12 months after opening)

Sometimes, the expiry date is on the product itself; other times, it’s printed on the packaging. Keep your eyes peeled for this detail the next time you purchase a cosmetic or skin-care product!

This is a helpful guide for assessing which products need to be thrown away or how much longer you can use them:

• Mascara, Liquid or Gel Eyeliners: 4 to 6 months (always throw away dry mascara – don’t add water to extend its lifespan)
• Moisturisers, Serums, and Foundations: 6 months to 1 year
• Powder-Based Products: 2 - 3 years
• Lipsticks, Lip Gloss, and Lip Pencils: 2 - 3 years

Here’s another extremely use tip for you: if a product smells funky, looks “weird” (compared to when you first purchased it), or the texture has changed significantly, chuck it immediately!

For easy reference, I’ve also compiled a list of dos and don'ts to help make your products last:

DOs

• Store products in a cabinet or drawer, away from direct sunlight.
• Always wash your hands before using products.
• Tighten or secure caps after each use.
• Consider how climate and humidity will shorten a product's shelf life.
• Write the date of purchase in permanent ink (use a Sharpie) on the bottom or back of the package. This way you'll know the exact expiry date.
• Adhere to the expiration dates on sunscreens, acne products, and prescription medications such as topical antibiotics and Renova or Retin-A. 

DON'Ts

• Store products in direct sunlight.
• Share your products with others no matter how well you know them or how hygienic you think they are.
• Add water or saliva to thin out or remoisten products.
• Purchase products with broken seals or any signs of tampering.
• Use eye products after you’ve had an eye infection. Throw them away immediately no matter how much you like them or how much they cost!

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Always remember to make note of each product's expiry date. Use a Sharpie to write the expiry date on the product. You could even write the date on a small sticker, then stick it on the jar, container etc. Now you'll never have to worry about when your products expire!

Until my next update soon... Be good, stay true to yourself, and be the most beautiful version of yourself! :) xoxo

Signing off...

~ Lil' Missy ~