Makeup doesn’t last forever. Once opened, products slowly pick up bacteria and change in texture.
Quick look
- The open-jar symbol shows how many months a product should be used for after opening, such as 12M.
- The American Academy of Dermatology notes that mascara has a lifespan of about three months.
- Clumping, separating, crumbling, a bad smell or a change in colour are signs a product should go.
- Never share eye makeup, and don’t add water or saliva to products that have dried out.
Most of us have a drawer of half-used makeup, and it’s easy to forget how long things have been open. Using products past their best can irritate your skin and, around the eyes, raise the risk of infection.
Reading the label
Look for the small open-jar symbol on the packaging. The number inside it, such as 6M or 12M, tells you how many months the product should be used for after you first open it. In the UK, products expected to keep for 30 months or less carry a best-before date instead.
What to check
| Product | Guide |
|---|---|
| Mascara | About 3 months after opening |
| Liquid eyeliner | Follow the open-jar symbol; replace sooner if it clumps or dries out |
| Foundation and concealer | Follow the symbol; throw away if it separates or smells different |
| Powders | Follow the symbol; throw away if they crumble or feel different |
| Lipsticks and balms | Follow the symbol; replace sooner if the texture or smell changes |
Signs a product has gone off
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it’s time to throw makeup away if it:
- starts to clump, like old mascara or eyeliner
- changes consistency, like a foundation that separates
- crumbles or falls apart, like a powder eyeshadow or blush
- smells bad
- looks dry and flaky, or runny
- has changed colour
- feels different on your skin
Little trick
Write the month you opened a product on its base with a marker. It takes seconds and saves a lot of guesswork later.
Habits that help products last
- Close lids tightly and keep makeup away from heat and direct sunlight.
- Wash your hands before applying makeup.
- Keep brushes and sponges clean; our guide to cleaning makeup brushes shows how.
- Don’t add water or saliva to thin out products, as this can introduce bacteria.
- Never share eye makeup.
Good to note
If your eyes become red, sore, sticky or swollen after using makeup, stop using it and see a pharmacist or GP. Get urgent help for severe eye pain or any change in your vision.
A regular clear-out
Go through your makeup bag every few months. Anything past its open-jar date or showing the warning signs above can go, and you’ll know exactly what you actually use. Our five-minute makeup routine shows how few products you really need.
Ask away
What if a product has no open-jar symbol?
In the UK, products expected to keep for 30 months or less carry a best-before date instead. Writing the date you opened a product on the packaging helps you keep track.
Why does mascara need replacing so often?
The wand goes back and forth between your eyes and the tube, which can carry bacteria into the product. Replacing it every few months lowers the risk of eye infections.
Should I throw away makeup after an eye infection?
Yes. Replace any eye makeup you used while you had the infection so you don’t reinfect yourself.
This article is general information, not medical advice. For skin, scalp or allergy concerns, speak to a pharmacist, your GP or a dermatologist. In an emergency, call 999.