Your make-up could be a breeding ground for bacteria
AS women, we often fall in love with products that can hide our imperfections without realising the disservice we are doing to ourselves.
Dianne Plummer, chemical engineer and developer of True Shade Cosmetics make-up line, said just like food, make-up has an expiry date and old make-up is a breeding ground for bacteria, which can result in skin infections and damaged skin.
“Generally it’s best to do a beauty audit where you look at your cosmetics for chemical changes. These changes can range from colour change, bad odour, change in texture or consistency, and can include a rancid odour, colour, lumps, crust, mould, or simply look different from when you bought it,” she said.
Dermatologist Dr Neil Persadsingh further explained that expired cosmetics can lead to skin rashes, irritation, redness on the skin, and allergic reactions.
“Old mascara can lead to infections of the eyes, lipstick can cause swelling of the lips, and eyeshadow can cause eye infections,” he said.
While they may be costly and women tend to hold them for the longest while to save a dollar, Dr Persadsingh said after a certain period of time these products should be discarded in order to avoid irritation.
“Lipstick should be discarded after 18 months, eyeshadow after one year, mascara after three months, liquid eyeliner after three months, eyeliner pencils after three years, moisturiser after two years, blush after one year, powders and foundation after six months, and concealers after six months,” he said.
As for other skin products, the dermatologist added that they, too, should be discarded after a period of time.
“Sunscreen should be discarded after one year, serum after six months, shampoo after two years, loofahs and bath sponges after three weeks, deodorant after three years, shaving cream after two years, toothpaste after two years, mouthwash after three years, soap after three years, perfume after two years, and nail polish after two years,” Dr Persadsingh said.
There are also proper ways in which these items should be stored to ensure they are free of bacteria and don’t go bad quickly.
According to Dr Persadsingh, all cosmetics should be kept closed when not in use, kept away from heat, and stored in a cool place.
“Bacteria will enter any opened cosmetics and will thrive. Unopened cosmetics have a longer shelf life than those which have been opened,” he said.
Other storage tips for cosmetics include:
1. Storing products in a cabinet or drawer and not the refrigerator, as this may reduce the lifespan and quality of the product.
2. Ensuring the lid on the products is properly closed after use.
3. Keeping products away from direct sunlight.
