How to Tell if Mascara Is Expired

Mascara is one of those products that you either have one or dozens of in your makeup bag. Whichever camp you fall under, you’ve likely wondered whether that tube of mascara you bought eons ago is still okay to use. Sure, you can refer to the expiration on the packaging to figure this out. But let’s be honest, you probably don’t remember when you opened that tube of mascara. And even if your mascara is past its three-month shelf life, you probably don’t mind using it as long as it gets the job done.

The thing is, the eyes are a very sensitive part of the body. Applying old mascara to your lashes — and using any expired eye makeup for that matter — could potentially lead to eye irritation or infection. As much as you want to get the most bang for your buck on all your makeup products, it’s simply not worth paying for a visit to the doctor.

If you’re on the fence about whether your mascara is expired or not, keep reading. In this article, we’ll discuss the shelf life of mascara and the signs of expiration to look out for.

What Is the Shelf Life of Mascara?

Mascara can last anywhere from three to six months, though most makeup manufacturers recommend discarding it after two to four months upon opening. Sealed and unused tubes of mascara can last up to two years.

Each time you use mascara, it’s exposed to bacteria. The wand is then dipped back into the tube where the bacteria and fungi collected from the air, your skin, and eyelashes can thrive in a dark, moist environment.

Eye makeup tends to have shorter shelf lives than other types of cosmetics because of the sensitive area they’re applied on. Moreover, liquid and cream-based formulas like mascaras and liquid or gel eyeliners contain moisture, making them more prone to bacterial growth which can cause redness, soreness, irritation, and in worse cases, eye infection.

How Do You Know if Mascara Is Expired?

Check the Label

The most straightforward way to tell if your mascara has gone bad is by checking the label. Although the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t require manufacturers to print an expiration date on cosmetic products, makeup will typically have a PAO or “period after opening” indicated on the packaging. The PAO symbol is denoted by a small jar with a number followed by the letter “M” to denote the number of months a product works best after being opened and exposed to the air. The formula will decline in quality after this timeframe.

Smell

One of the easiest ways to tell if your mascara is expired is by smelling it. Open your mascara and bring up the tube or wand to your nose. If the product has a strange odor or smells slightly off, then it’s probably expired. (Some say that mascara that’s gone off smells like gasoline.)

Color

Makeup can go through a chemical reaction known as oxidation, wherein the ingredients start to degrade when exposed to air upon opening. This can result in a change in the color of the product over time. Although this is more commonly associated with beauty products like foundation, oxidation can still occur in mascara. If the color of your mascara has changed, it might be time to replace it.

Texture

Another way you can tell that your mascara is past its expiry date is by observing the way it goes onto your lashes. If the mascara applies dry, thickened, and clumpy, it’s most likely gone off. There are ways to revive dried mascara, though we recommend tossing it out if it’s past its three-month shelf life or if the formula has separated.

Eye Health

The eyes are an extremely sensitive part of the body. Using mascara that’s past its expiration date can lead to eye infections such as a stye or pink eye. If you experience any eye irritation, toss out your mascara immediately! The product is likely contaminated and will only cause more health issues.

source https://degreesofvanity.com/how-to-tell-if-mascara-is-expired/