Is it bad to use expired makeup?

The short answer: it depends on the product, and on whether it has been opened. Some expired makeup is just less effective. Some can cause real problems, especially around the eyes.

Opened vs unopened

This is the biggest difference. Dr. Susan Massick, a dermatologist at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, explains that unopened makeup past its date usually loses effectiveness but won’t cause harm. Once a product has been opened and used, it is a different story: it can harbor harmful bacteria, which can make your skin more likely to break out, become irritated or even pick up an infection.

That is why the Period After Opening symbol counts from when you open a product. Opening is when bacteria start getting in.

Eye products carry the most risk

The eyes are the area to be most careful with. The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes that infection-causing bacteria grow easily in creamy or liquid eye makeup, and recommends throwing eye makeup away after three months. Dr. Massick says expired eye makeup can potentially introduce serious infections in the eyes.

Mascara is the classic example. The wand touches your lashes and goes back in the tube every time, carrying bacteria into a dark, moist space. The FDA adds that if mascara dries out, you should throw it away rather than add water or saliva to it.

Skin reactions and breakouts

On the face, expired products are more likely to cause irritation or breakouts than serious infection. Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Dr. Shilpi Khetarpal lists unexpected breakouts or allergic reactions as one of the five signs that makeup has expired. Once opened, ingredients start to oxidize and break down, and a formula that suited your skin can start to irritate it.

If you notice a new reaction and can’t work out why, older products are worth checking first.

Sunscreen and SPF makeup

Expired sun protection has a different kind of risk. It may simply not protect you. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends throwing sunscreen away when it expires, since expired sunscreens can break down and may cause irritated skin or an allergic reaction. A Cleveland Clinic dermatologist suggests replacing makeup with SPF after about six months. See our sunscreen guide for the three-year rule.

When it is lower risk

Not every expired product is a problem. Dry powders like eyeshadow, blush and bronzer contain little water and are slower to grow bacteria. Unopened products mostly lose performance. That doesn’t make them risk-free, but a sealed blush from two years ago is a very different thing from an opened mascara from two years ago.

The signs matter more than the date. The American Academy of Dermatology lists clumping, separating, crumbling, a bad smell, a change in color or a different feel on your skin as reasons to toss a product.

How to lower the risk

A few habits make a big difference. Dr. Massick recommends clean applicators and brushes, washing your hands before applying makeup, never reviving dried products with water or saliva, removing makeup every day and never sharing it.

And if you get an eye infection, replace the eye products you were using. Our guide on makeup after an eye infection explains what eye doctors recommend. If you are unsure about a reaction, talk to a doctor or pharmacist.