Beauty

[Susan25]

I agree that many skin care products have an expiration date. Especially facial moisturizers, serums, suntan lotion, etc. Instead of wasting money on products that you have to discard, the best practice is not to overbuy these type of products. At least, that is what I try to do. I buy new mascara often, every few months, since I believe that it goes bad quickly. I also keep track when I purchase eye shadow, face makeup and other makeup items and discard all of these after a couple of years or if they appear to have gone bad. I am sure that it isn't easy always easy, but the best practice is not to overbuy. You save money in the long run and are also using fresher, safer products.

[BichonEmma]

On 8/2/2014 susan25 said:

I agree that many skin care products have an expiration date. Especially facial moisturizers, serums, suntan lotion, etc. Instead of wasting money on products that you have to discard, the best practice is not to overbuy these type of products. At least, that is what I try to do. I buy new mascara often, every few months, since I believe that it goes bad quickly. I also keep track when I purchase eye shadow, face makeup and other makeup items and discard all of these after a couple of years or if they appear to have gone bad. I am sure that it isn't easy always easy, but the best practice is not to overbuy. You save money in the long run and are also using fresher, safer products.

That's what I do too susan. I am guilty of getting too big a pile of the free sample packets from sephora. I've started giving them away if I haven't tried them in a few months

[chrystaltree]

Years???? I think they say 3 months but I keep makeup for 6 months. After that, I chuck it. Better safe than sorry. I wear makeup every day but, except for nail polish, I don't horde makeup. I don't want to waste money.

[Susan25]

http://www.bellasugar.com/When-Throw-Makeup-Away-Guidelines-Cosmetic-Life-Span-1124422

Some information about how long to keep various makeup items.

This article has a list of various products that lists the shelf life. Most are from a year to 18 months. Except for mascara, I can't think of anything else that needs to be discarded after 3 months. That seems very wasteful also. Especially if you buy expensive makeup products.

[soonersis]

What I've started doing recently (to be on the safe side) is when I start using a product I see what the expiration is from the little icon on the product. I then write that down on a list I keep and when that expiration comes I throw it away even if I haven't used it up. The only thing I don't do this with is my mineral makeup, but I also never put my fingers or a brush into their container, but sprinkle it into something else to use. Also, just because I think it doesn't work as well, I replace my mascara every 3 months.

[lottogurl]

if it's several years old..in the trash it would go.

[justashopper]

My answer is not going to be very popular but that's never stopped me before. Haha. I think a lot of those expiration dates are just there to scare you into buying more. With that said, I take very good care of my things-- keep them clean etc so other than mascara, because it dries out so quickly, I'll keep a blush lipstick or powder until it doesn't seem to work as well....

[apple1964]

When it starts to smell or changes color time for the garbage bag.

[mima]

On 5/22/2014 krissie622 said: I keep mine until and unless it's clearly bad. I have bare minerals eye shadows that must be over a decade old. You can tell when lipstick is bad, and anything that smells bad or performs poorly, separates, etc. , but most dry items will last a long, long time.

This is my answer too.

[Ms X]

Unless there's a threat of danger from bacterial contamination (as with mascara), I'd go by whether they appear and function as they should. I don't discard mascara after only a few months.