Most of us have a mascara that's been sitting in our makeup bag longer than we'd like to admit, or a vitamin C serum we're still using that's well past its prime. Beauty product expiration dates are easy to ignore—especially when a product looks and smells fine and you're not eating it, right? But there are real reasons to pay attention to them, and some products carry more risk than others when used past their shelf life.
There are actually two expiration timelines to know about. The first is the date stamped on the packaging, which tells you when a product is best used by, regardless of whether it's been opened. The second is the Period After Opening, or PAO—that little open-jar symbol followed by a number and the letter "M" that you'll find on most products. That number tells you how many months a product is considered safe and effective after you've first opened it. Once you break the seal, the clock starts.
The stakes vary by product. For some items—a lip balm, a pressed powder—going a little past the date isn't a major concern. For others, particularly anything used near the eyes or with active ingredients that can degrade, expiration dates are worth taking seriously.
To help sort out which is which, we asked two board-certified dermatologists: Dr. Mona Foad, founder of MONA Dermatology, and Dr. Susan Massick, a board-certified dermatologist and Associate Professor of Dermatology at Ohio State University.
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Products used around the eyes top both experts' lists. "Mascara and liquid eyeliner should be replaced regularly since they can harbor bacteria and increase the risk of irritation or infection," Dr. Foad tells Parade.
Mascara and liquid eyeliners should be replaced every three months after opening, and powder eyeshadow every six to twelve months with proper storage. Eyeliner pencils—because they can be sharpened—have a longer window of about a year, Dr. Massick says.
The reason eyes are such a concern comes down to how these products are used. Every time you reinsert a mascara brush into the tube, or touch a liquid liner tip to your lash line, you're introducing bacteria into the product. Over time, that builds up.
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Why You Should Always Discard Sunscreen When It Expires
Sunscreens do expire, and this category is important, Dr. Foad says, explaining, "Sunscreens are at the top of that list because the active ingredients can become less effective over time, which means you may not be getting the level of UV protection stated on the label." An expired SPF 50 may not actually be protecting you at that level, which is a meaningful concern for daily sun protection and skin health.Most sunscreens carry an expiration date on the packaging and are formulated to remain stable until that date when stored properly—meaning not left in a hot car or in direct sunlight. Once that date passes, it's worth replacing.
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For skincare, the concern is less about bacterial contamination and more about efficacy. "Active ingredients can lose potency over time. Ingredients such as vitamin C, retinoids and certain antioxidants are particularly prone to degradation when exposed to light and air," Dr. Foad tells Parade. "While a product may not necessarily become harmful immediately after it expires, it may not deliver the results you expect."
Dr. Massick's general guideline for moisturizers and serums is up to one year after opening. Liquid blush, cream foundations and concealers fall in the same range—about a year. Lip gloss is also one year, while lipsticks can last one-to-two years. Powder blush, stored properly, can go one to two years as well. Unopened and sealed makeup can last two-to-three years.
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Makeup and Skincare Product Expiration Date Cheat Sheet
Dr. Massick says once a package is opened and the clock starts, proper storage is what helps you get the most out of that window. She offers a quick reference guide based on the date of opening:
Mascara: 3 monthsLiquid eyeliner: 3 monthsPowder eyeshadow: 6-12 months with proper storageEyeliner pencil: 1 year (can be sharpened to extend life)Liquid blush, cream foundation and concealer: 1 yearMoisturizers and serums: up to 1 yearLip gloss: 1 yearLipstick: 1-2 yearsPowder blush: 1-2 years with proper storageUnopened, sealed makeup: 2-3 yearsRelated: 14 Best Peptide Serums for Firm, ‘Botox-Free’ Skin
You don't always need to check the date. "Changes in color, texture, smell or performance are good indicators that it may be time to replace a product," Dr. Foad says. If a product has separated, thickened, thinned out or developed an off-smell, those are signs it's past its prime—regardless of what the package says.
According to Dr. Massick, how a product is used is a factor in how quickly it degrades. Dipping your fingers into a moisturizer jar, touching a concealer bottle with your hands or reinserting a product brush repeatedly all introduce bacteria that can shorten a product's lifespan. If you're using jar products, a small spatula can help extend how long they stay clean.
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How To Store Beauty Products To Make Them Last Longer
Storage matters more than most people realize. Heat, light and air exposure can all accelerate the breakdown of active ingredients, which is why bathroom storage, while convenient, isn't always ideal. A cool, dry place away from direct sunlight is better for most skincare, particularly anything with vitamin C, retinoids or other actives.
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Dr. Mona Foad, board-certified dermatologist and founder of MONA DermatologyDr. Susan Massick, board-certified dermatologistHence then, the article about the beauty product expiration dates you should actually follow dermatologists explain was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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