Ready for a beauty overhaul? There is a common belief that beauty products are good to use as long as they still do the job. We hate to break it to you, but the longer you hold on to your beauty and skincare products, the worse they work for you.

Bad skin aside, holding on to your favourite products and salvaging them until their very last drop is not going to bring you any good. Break free from this separation anxiety and face your beauty shelf – it’s time to open new doors just in time for the new year. 

Do I really have to replace my beauty products?

Makeup and skincare products maintain their effectiveness and quality only for a limited time. They have an expiration date that defines the amount of time wherein the quality and safety of the product stay intact. Once a makeup or skincare item reaches its expiry date, the formula starts to break down, smell funky, or disintegrate, rendering the product completely unusable. 

Take note that shelf life is entirely different from the expiration date, albeit often interchangeable. Shelf life is the amount of time that the products are still safe to use, without changing their quality, even when they are unused. This period usually starts from the date of manufacturing to the expiration date.

Makeup products also have the period after opening or PAO: the amount of time wherein an item retains its quality, formula, and safety once you open it. And yes, it starts right after you open the product.

Cosmetics and skincare products can also become cosy homes for fungi and bacteria to grow. Remembering to swap them every few months or years saves your skin from acne, irritation, and infection.

When should I replace my products?

Beauty blenders, sponges, and loofah

We often use these when wet or damp, making them perfect havens for bacteria to grow. For your loofah, make sure to swap them every two to three weeks or when they start to change in colour. Beauty blenders and sponges are washable, but it’s best to replace them every three months. 

Mascara, eyeliners, and eyeshadow

Your eye makeup products are the most susceptible to bacteria that can then get stuck into your eyes and lashes to cause an infection. Switch these out every three to six months, even though there are still some products left in the container.

Sunscreen

The golden rule of skincare: always apply sunscreen, even if you are staying indoors. But when it reaches its expiration date, it may not give the same amount of sun protection. Always check the labels on the sunscreen bottles to identify their expiry date. 

Foundation

Your foundation covers all your blemishes and imperfections – and it also absorbs dirt and oil in your skin. Make sure to replace your foundation after 12 months.

Lipstick and lip gloss

Unfortunately, your favourite lip products only last well for a year. This is because they contain hydrating and nourishing ingredients that can break down after this stage. So no matter how much you love that lip shade, you have to replace your lipstick every 12 months.