topic Re: “Old” Cosmetics in Beauty

“Old” Cosmetics

beach-mom — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 05:53:40 GMT

While going through my drawers I found some old cosmetics. Some have never been opened; some are old favorites. I found some old lipsticks I once couldn't live without, a never-used Precriptives concealer compact. Everything smells fine. I put the lipstick on the back of my hand, and it went on smoothly.

I hesitate to get rid of them because almost all are made in the USA. I can't donate them because of the age.

What would you do?

Re: “Old” Cosmetics

San Antonio Gal — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 06:24:44 GMT

I would use them and not throw them away.

Re: “Old” Cosmetics

Katcat1 — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 06:30:53 GMT

@beach-mom I went thru some old cosmetics and if a lipstick is old it will smell stale. Yours sounds fine. I hate to admit but I have eye shadows that are over 10 years old and still okay. My rule of thumb if it smells or looks different, throw it out, otherwise keep it and enjoy.

Re: “Old” Cosmetics

lynnie61 — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 07:59:38 GMT

@beach-mom I found an old Bare Minerals compact with highlighter. It is probably 5 years old. It was fine, no smell. I’m using it. I’m know I have a few old Laura Gellar baked products. Sometimes I think these expiration dates are used to get us to toss and buy more. Especially dry products.

I’m really only super diligent on mascara. But I did do a big lip purge several weeks ago. More because of the colors weren’t my favorites. (Many partially used colors from kits)

Re: “Old” Cosmetics

Cookie2025 — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 11:00:54 GMT

I just had this dilemma weeks ago.

I kept the products that where not opened - the opened stuff was tossed.

Re: “Old” Cosmetics

Shanus — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 12:35:57 GMT

@beach-mom wrote:
While going through my drawers I found some old cosmetics. Some have never been opened; some are old favorites. I found some old lipsticks I once couldn't live without, a never-used Precriptives concealer compact. Everything smells fine. I put the lipstick on the back of my hand, and it went on smoothly.

I hesitate to get rid of them because almost all are made in the USA. I can't donate them because of the age.

What would you do?

@beach-mom Cream products, once opened, have more chance of going bad than powder ones. If cream products are in a jar where you've been dipping into them or exposed to air like skincare or foundations, compacts w/ cream highlighters, etc. I'd switch those out after a year. Powder shadows, foundations like BM, setting powders last for years. Lipsticks are iffy...go by smell as @Katcat1 stated.

To keep cosmetics lasting longer, wash brushes often. Skincare usually has a date when it loses it's efficacy, especially serums and definitely SPFs.

I've had the "toss out" happen in the past. Good money down the drain. I only purchase supersizes of skincare or cream cosmetics I use every day and not as a backup I won't get to for several months. I always cringe when I see the TSVs for JM Argan Oil. It's around $100 & not sure it won't be rancid before it gets to the bottom.

Hope this helps.

Re: “Old” Cosmetics

Peaches McPhee — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 12:57:37 GMT

I am probably in the minority, but I currently have and use make-up that is open and 15+ years old, and it is fine. (Eyeshadows.)

Re: “Old” Cosmetics

millieshops — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 12:58:25 GMT

The dates on almost everything we buy are often SELL BY or BEST BY more than they are actual use expiration dates. I use my own common sense plus a bit of science knowledge or investigation to make my choices.

I rarely toss anything except what goes near my eyes just because of the date on the package.

Re: “Old” Cosmetics

Dusty1 — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 13:18:58 GMT

I love makeup. I buy a lot of makeup. Even when I try not to buy makeup, something always catches my eye & I buy makeup.

I don't buy many lip products, but I love blush (cream & powder) & eyeshadow (shadow sticks & powder).

I do go through my stuff from time to time & check, mostly lipsticks & creams.

I went through lipsticks last week & have enough to Back To Mac for several new lipsticks! Winner or loser? You decide. LOL

I do use lipstick as cream blush, too, so some that weren't bad, but I don't use as lip color, were moved to the blush area.

So, yes, I do have older things, but they aren't dirty or smelly.

Re: “Old” Cosmetics

Swedishmiss — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 13:33:20 GMT

I often keep and use products past the expiration date with the exception of anything that goes on my eyes (mascaras, liners, eyeshadows). For me, it is not worth the risk of using anything that might be compromised around my eyes.

Re: “Old” Cosmetics

Shelbelle — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 13:39:46 GMT

My rule of thimb is if it smells fine, consistancy is normal and color is normal, I use it!!

Re: “Old” Cosmetics

Shanus — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 13:55:29 GMT

@millieshops wrote:
The dates on almost everything we buy are often SELL BY or BEST BY more than they are actual use expiration dates. I use my own common sense plus a bit of science knowledge or investigation to make my choices.

I rarely toss anything except what goes near my eyes just because of the date on the package.

@millieshops "Sell By" more refers to if the item is not opened. "Best By" usually means it should be used within a reasonable amount of time after being opened.

Re: “Old” Cosmetics

Lipstickdiva — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 14:23:58 GMT

If you think you are going to use them, use them. If you aren't going to use them, just toss them.

Just because a lipstick goes on fine doesn't mean it is fine. Rancid lipsticks get a bad smell and taste to them. You will know if they are bad. Foundations will separate and you will know when they are bad too.

I fairly regularly go through my make-up and toss things that are told or that I never really loved and won't use. If they are good enough I will give them to my sister. Otherwise I toss them.

Re: “Old” Cosmetics

Still Raining — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 14:57:46 GMT

I decided to toss and get new when this over. Fun to get some new colors.

Then, since I was a roll and had nothing but time, I moved on to the kitchen. Yikes!

Then off to the garage. Who knew that old paint could dry out so fast 🤣

Re: “Old” Cosmetics

LuvmyLab — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 16:25:24 GMT

I once had a blush that was 20 years old that I was using. (It takes a long time for me to go through blush!). I have some lipsticks that are 10 years old and I still use and still look great on me. I also have 5 mascaras that I use on a regular basis so I do use them longer than 3 months but I would not go past 6 months on mascara. Unless the cosmetic smells bad or looks gross I would keep it and use it.

Re: “Old” Cosmetics

Lucky Charm — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 02:39:30 GMT

I just threw out my mascara because I realized it was older than 6 months.

I don't wear it every day now, thus it lasted this long.

Hated doing it, but I'd written the date on it in silver marker (Jan 11th....gulp) and went to apply it today.

Held off opening a new one because it's so darn expensive!

Mascara is something I can get away with ---going without.