Is your makeup bag full of
spoiled cosmetics? Do you know how to tell if cosmetics are spoiled?
Unfortunately, makeup doesn’t last forever and you must be your own cosmetic
detective.
Expiration Dates
Cosmetics do expire, and expiration
dates are sometimes printed on the inside or outside packaging, but this is not
always the case. Other dates found on products are manufacturer dates. This
information is more for the manufacturer than it is for the consumer.
Consumers are not always able to decipher an expiration date if it is in code.
For example, SFC0934 could mean the product was manufactured in “S” San Fernando, CA
and expires March 4, 2009. As consumers, how do we know that this is an
expiration date? We don’t, and won’t until someone steps up and makes change
happen. But in the meantime, you can follow set your own criteria for fresh
makeup using the following guideline.
While these suggestions won't scientifically prove your cosmetics are spoiled,
they can be useful tools.
Sniff Test
For all your makeup and skin care products, give them the "sniff"
test. Do they smell different? If they do, then they could be contaminated and
should be discarded.
Are the liquid products
thinner or thicker that what they were when first purchased?
Is there something in the pit
of your stomach telling you that it just doesn't seem right? Human instinct is
a powerful defense tool.
Has the color of the product
changed?
Has the formula separated?
Is the consistency different from what it was when you first purchased it
-curdled maybe?
If your answer is yes to any of these questions, the product may be
contaminated and should be discarded.
Preservatives
Most cosmetics products contain preservatives, which is not always a bad thing.
Chemical preservatives are
added to extend a product’s shelf life and kill bacteria. Over time, these
preservatives break down and lose their effectiveness.
To cut costs, some cosmetic products are manufactured with either inferior
preservatives that degrade at a faster rate than superior preservatives; or
preservatives that are of such poor quality that they fail to adequately kill
bacteria.
We may blame a rash on our
skin, or blemishes to a food allergy, but it is possible the problem is not
food, but bacteria from your cosmetics.
It's important to buy
cosmetics from reputable cosmetic companies you trust.
Natural or Organic Makeup
and Skin Care Products
If you prefer to use natural/organic cosmetics, with little or no chemical
additives, expect the shelf life to be less than that of chemically processed
products. This is because the products themselves are free of chemical
preservatives, or they contain very little.
While natural products are nice alternative, extra sanitary care must be taken
when working with and storing these products.
Many mineral makeup products on the market today claim to be "natural" or "organic", however, several still contain additives.
Bacteria Simply opening any container
exposes its content to bacteria, and cosmetics are no exception.
When an applicator (hands, brush, wand, sponge…) is exposed to air, or any
thing else, including the skin, it picks up bacteria. When the product is
stored, you are also storing bacteria.
Mascara is a prime example of
bacteria storage. The wand is removed, moved across the lashes, exposed to air,
other cosmetics, possibly body fluids, and then the wand is put back into the
dark and damp environment of the tube.
If
you are having a problem with your mascara flaking, it is possible that the bacteria killing preservatives have dried
up inside the tube. It’s best to discard it, rather than risking an eye
infection.
Product Recalls
Has there been recalls on any makeup or skin care products that you are
currently using, or are planning to purchase? Visit the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration's website if you are concerned about a product recall. The U.S.
Food and Drug Administration is responsible for U.S. safety regulations of the
cosmetics and skin care industries.
