Who doesn't love makeup? Most of us do! And makeup can change your appearance like no other thing. Even a little eyeshadow or eyeliner and lipstick can jazz up your look. Nonetheless, what happens when you realize that you landed up with expired makeup while purchasing your makeup? But the question still remains: who really checks if the makeup they are purchasing is expired or not? Since we all have a habit of wandering through the stores and getting the makeup that we want, we tend to forget that checking the expiry date should become a necessity.
What is Expired Makeup?
Expired makeup is the makeup that has passed the date till it could have been used. Manufacturers have to throw away expired products, which is an unprofitable exercise. For this very reason, they sell these products at very low prices, and as unsuspecting customers, we get lured by the slashed prices of our favorite brands that we forget to check the expiration date written at the back!
Just like eating or drinking expired food can cause food poisoning, using expired makeup can cause skin issues. Anything past its expiration date means we should not use it anymore. It doesn't matter if you have more than half of the product left; you should just throw it away.
Expired Makeup Checklist
Here is everything that you need to look for:
1. Checking PAO
All cosmetics should have an image of an open jar, a number, and the letter M stamped on them. This Period After Opening (PAO) source states how many months the commodity will be good for after being opened. It's useful to keep track of when you first decided to open it.
Mascara and other eye makeup have a lower expiration date than other cosmetics. For instance, they may be marked with a 6M, and concealer is normally about 12M. Fragrance can be used for almost five years.
2. If it doesn't have a symbol
If there isn't a symbol, it was probably on the original box, which was trashed.
- The very first technique is to inhale the scent of the cosmetics. Discard anything that smells unpleasant.
- Check to see if the color has shifted. Several concealer creams, for instance, will oxidize and appear orange.
- Give priority to if the consistency of the product has altered, and discard if it feels different on your face.
What are the Expired Makeup Side Effects?
What happens when you use different products after they have expired?
When foundations are out of date, the elements can easily separate. Because the oil contents will continually move to the surface, you may be putting a greater concentration of possibly pore-clogging oil to your face if you persist in using it. Breakouts are the result of this, as you may have predicted, and this condition is known as Acne Cosmetica. Comedones, pustules, and papules result from clogged pores, which allows germs to thrive.
The purpose of your eyelashes is to shield your eyes from pollutants and particles in the air and surroundings. As a result, everything accumulated on the eyelashes could get into the tube when the wand is inserted back into the tube after applying mascara. This usually only happens when you use an expired product, and this is where potential issues can arise. You'll undoubtedly be able to tell by how the mascara applies to your lashes. Another clue that you need a new tube is if it doesn't last the entire day.
Powders and blushes kept cool and stored in small containers can endure for years. Bacteria cannot flourish in a dry area, so keeping a blush for three to four years is safe as long as it looks good and still works. Nevertheless, we believe that lightly scraping the upper surface of a powder or blush with a butter knife is the ideal method to keep it in good condition. We recommend throwing cream blushes that demand you to dig into the pot with your fingertips yearly. This is due to the ease with which germs can spread and the threat of adding new bacteria to your face. Bacteria are associated with blemishes.
Your lips have the thinnest skin. Lipstick contains organic, moisturizing elements that might wear out when exposed to air. When bacteria, such as from a cold sore, are put into lip gloss, the gloss wand might carry bacteria into the ampule, compromising the overall product. Lipsticks, on average, have a one-year storage life before you should start to be concerned.
When the sensitive eye area is inflamed, it can become inflamed, red, swollen, and even infected. Old eye products cause redness, inflammation, and infection as side effects. When it concerns bacterial contamination, eyeliners are the worst offenders, so throw them out if they start to lose their color, dry out, or become useless.
What to do if you see Expired Makeup for Sale?
Here's what you should do on coming across an expired product.
- Try to ask the distributor to exchange the product.
- Check if all their products are expired.
- Ask them to remove the expired products.
- To exert ethical pressure on local authorities to take some action against the offending shopkeeper, submit your concern in writing/email.
- Notify a local officer with all relevant information, such as the retailer's location and accusations.
- Keep the documentation of your complaint safe and only discuss it with government officials.
- Maintain Xerox images of receipts or photographs of expired or unsalable commodities with you for added security.
- Harsh penalties may be imposed if a distributor or reseller fails to retrieve and remove expired products from their warehouse or sells them.
Read: Skin Care Tips For Women In Their 20s
The essence
It's not abnormal to wear the same cosmetics for months, particularly if it's something like blush or eyeliner that you only use a smidgeon of each time. To avoid illness and skin discomfort, you should follow all makeup expiration dates. The goal of expiration dates is more than just to induce you to purchase new products, and this is because expired makeup doesn't work as well as newer cosmetics, but it can also harm your skin. Ladies, you've been cautioned!
Also read: Skincare Habits For A Healthy And Fresh Face