Shelf life of make up

[snailrancher]

I read somewhere that make up and stuff like cleansers have a shelf life once they are opened. Does anyone know if this is true, or if it's just a myth to get you to buy new stuff? If it is true, does anyone know how long the shelf life is? Thanks.

[pastafreak]

I hope this answers your question...http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-207.html cosmetics sold in Britain(and possibly theEU-I am not sure) have an 'open jar' symbol on the back label-within this is the number of months a particular item will last once opened.

[4getmenot]

but can you ever remember when you opened these products :-)

[chazza]

I think it's partly true and partly myth. It is easy to tell when stuff has gone off when it changes consistency, smell or colour. When this happens, bin them and replace them, don't get too concerned about doing it before this!

[beanebabe]

There is a little 'open pot' symbol on the labels of most lotions and potions with the number of months they recommend it is safe to use after it has been opened. Stuff does tend to smell 'off' when it has gone off (off, offf, off)!

[snailrancher]

Thanks everyone. I'd never noticed those little pot symbols before! Most of the stuff I had in my cupboard predated the use of those symbols. I had a clear out last night and got rid of all my old, part-used stuff. I guess the answer is to use something up rather than replace it with a different product; that way I at least have a chance of using it up within the recommended period!

[pastafreak]

You have to be most concerned about eye makeup....an eye infection due to old makeup is just not worth it.

[Willrene]

Hi Snailrancher - Yes its true face creams cleanser toners all have shelf dates now they only have a years life spam once opened before as you say they didnt have any dates on them and you just used what ever was opened .


Powder puff

[terambulan]

Creams just dry up in their containers making them unusable whereas compressed powders should give you years of wear.

My caution is not to use others makeup as you could then pick up infections; especially from lipstix and lip-salve.... you could catch herpes (cold-sores)