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Shelf life · 2 min read

How long does mascara last?

Quick answer: Plan on replacing mascara about 3 months after you open it. Eye doctors recommend 3 months, the FDA notes brands usually say 2 to 4 months, and a few brands allow up to 6.

By Makeup Shelf Editorial Team Updated

Reviewed by HASAN BALKI,

Shelf life
2–6 months
after opening
Risk
High
used right at the lash line
A mascara wand coated in black mascara, pulled out of its tube.
The wand goes from your lashes back into the tube every time you use it.

Signs your mascara has gone bad

How to store it

  • Close the tube tightly after every use
  • Keep it out of hot places like a car or a sunny windowsill, since heat breaks down preservatives
  • Don't add water or saliva to thin it out, which brings bacteria into the tube

When does my mascara expire?

An estimate based on general guidance or your label. Always follow the product's own label, and replace anything that smells, looks or feels different.

Why mascara expires so fast

Every time you pull the wand out, it touches your lashes and picks up bacteria. When it goes back in the tube, that bacteria goes with it, into a dark, moist space where it can grow. Eye doctors at the American Academy of Ophthalmology point out that creamy and liquid eye products are exactly where infection-causing bacteria grow easily.

After an eye infection, start over

If you get pink eye or a stye while using a mascara, throw it away and replace it once the infection has cleared. Using the same tube can reintroduce the bacteria. The same goes for eyeliner and any other product that touched your eyes during that time.

Mascara shelf lifeAFTER OPENING2–6 monthsRISKHighmakeupshelf.app · general guidance, not medical advice

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FAQ

Does unopened mascara expire?

Yes, but more slowly. The 3-month clock starts once you open it and the wand starts moving bacteria into the tube. Check the packaging for a printed date if you have kept one sealed for a long time.

Is it OK to pump the wand?

Pumping pushes air into the tube and dries the formula out faster. Swirl the wand inside the tube instead.

Can I share mascara?

No. The American Academy of Ophthalmology advises never sharing eye makeup, even with family, because you may be sharing an infection.

This is general guidance compiled from the sources below. It is not medical advice. Always follow your product's label, and stop using anything that irritates your skin or eyes.

Sources

  1. How To Use Cosmetics Safely Around Your Eyes, American Academy of Ophthalmology. Accessed September 24, 2026.
  2. Shelf Life and Expiration Dating of Cosmetics, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed September 24, 2026.
  3. Does Makeup Expire? How to Know When to Replace Your Products, Revlon. Accessed September 24, 2026.
  4. Your Definitive Guide to Makeup Expiration Dates, Rose Inc. Accessed September 24, 2026.
  5. When Does Your Makeup Expire?, Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials. Accessed September 24, 2026.