Medical experts from the Cleveland Clinic are advising consumers to carefully monitor the expiration of their makeup products to avoid health risks [1].
Using expired cosmetics can lead to significant health complications. When products break down or become contaminated, they can harbor bacteria that cause skin irritation or serious eye infections [1, 2].
To determine if a product is still safe, experts suggest checking for official expiration dates on the packaging [1]. However, not all cosmetics have clear dates, meaning users must rely on sensory indicators to judge the quality of the item [1, 2].
Changes in appearance are often the first sign of spoilage. Users should look for separation in liquid products, or a change in the original color of the makeup [1]. Texture changes, such as clumps in mascara or a grainy feel in creams, also indicate that the product is no longer viable [1, 2].
Smell is another critical indicator of expiration. If a product develops an unusual or off-putting scent, it should be discarded immediately [1]. This is particularly important for products that are applied near the eyes, where the risk of infection is highest [1, 2].
Experts said that the safest course of action is to dispose of any product that shows these signs of degradation [1]. Regular auditing of makeup kits helps ensure that only fresh, uncontaminated products are applied to the skin [1, 2].
“Expired makeup can harbor bacteria and cause eye infections or skin irritation.”
This guidance highlights a gap in consumer awareness regarding the shelf life of cosmetic products. Because many beauty items lack prominent expiration dates, the responsibility for safety shifts to the user's ability to detect chemical and biological degradation, emphasizing the need for better industry labeling standards to prevent avoidable infections.
