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Posted by
on 2007-11-04 23:44:11
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Are your cosmetics past their use-by date?
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on 2007-11-04 23:44:11
Smilie _WRITES: "
Should you really still be using that dried out mascara? Maybe it's time to ditch that cracked up blusher you've had for months? Eva Gizowska investigates the optimum shelf life of what's inside your make up bag
Come on, admit it. You're one of those people who hangs on to your favourite cosmetics until the bitter end, when the label on the powder compact is just barely legible, or until you can't dig any further into that lipstick tube with your lip brush. If this sounds familiar, what you may not realise is that keeping certain products for too long can be unhealthy.
'All products have a length of time during which they are most effective,' says Dr. Patrick Bowler, a leading dermatologist who practices in London and the founder of The British Association of Cosmetic Doctors. He adds, 'If you keep cosmetics longer than that, they no longer work well and you increase the risk of contamination.'
Unfortunately, you can't always tell a product's shelf life just by looking at the label, because there's no longer a legal requirement to use expiry or use-by dates on the majority of products. According to The Cosmetics Products Safety Regulations of 1996, only products that won't last longer than 30 months need to show a use-by date, whereas all other products don't need one
Know when to throw
So how can you tell when a product's fit for the bin? 'It depends on the ingredients and the preservatives in a product', says Dr. Bowler, 'but as a rule of thumb most products without a use-by date should be used within three years of leaving the factory.' It sounds like a long time, but what can you expect if you decide to hang on to a product for longer than that?
'Most products are packed with preservatives - in some cases as many as five or six - to ensure that they don't allow bacteria to breed easily,' says Dr. Bowler. 'So, in most cases, once a product is past its use-by date you'll simply end up with something that looks and smells "off," is unpleasant to use and is no longer effective." The worse case scenario is that you could develop a nasty rash or skin infection if the product has become contaminated with bacteria. However, the chances of this happening are extremely rare, because most cosmetics these days are packed with such large doses of preservatives.
Tips
* Stick to one mascara and use it regularly so you finish it within a few months. This is far better than alternating between a number of different mascaras, which means you keep them longer and increase the risk of contamination.
* Never add water or other liquid to mascara to keep it from drying out, as this can cause the preservative to become diluted and therefore offer less protection against germs.
* Never share mascara, as this is the most common way to pass on eye infections such as conjunctivitis.
* Don't use the same mascara if you've just had an eye infection, and buy a new one to minimise your chances of the infection coming back.
* Don't use saliva to moisten mascara. The bacteria from your mouth may get into the mascara, which can encourage bacteria to grow and cause infection.
* Always wash your hands before applying mascara to cut down the risk of passing on bacteria with your hands.
* Keep mascara in a clean place. Don't let it come into contact with dust or dirt that may harbour harmful bacteria.
Moisturiser
Shelf Life: Three-12 months
Moisturisers should be used up quickly, especially ones that contain essential oils and botanicals (check ingredients on the label). The best idea is to buy one moisturiser at a time and use it everyday. This is more important with natural ingredients such as plant extracts that can quickly lose their efficacy after a certain time and go off. Check the use-by date if you're not sure when yours should be chucked.
Tips
* Use one moisturiser for the day and one for the night, and use them one at a time. It's a common mistake to buy three or four similar products, open them all and alternate using them. Chances are you won't use them all within the allotted time and they'll end up going off.
* Throw a product away the moment it starts to change colour, smell off or the oils and fats begin to separate, which you'll be able to see.
* Keep out of direct sunlight and heat.
* Try not to stick your fingers in the pot if you can help it, as this decreases the chance of introducing unwanted bacteria into the product. Use a clean, plastic spatula or a spoon instead.
Foundation Shelf Life: Oil-Free Foundation (12 months); Moisturising, Cream or Compact Foundation (18 months)
Again, it's a good idea to use foundation quickly. Oil-free ones have the shortest shelf life because they tend to dry out quicker than other types.
Tips
* Throw foundation away if it starts to look or smell different or if ingredients start to separate.
* Ideally, always wash the sponges (in compact foundation, for example) at least once a week. Use soapy water and allow to dry naturally. Make sure the sponge is completely dry before placing back into the container or compact, or this could encourage mould to grow.
* If you want to prolong shelf life by a few months, keep your foundation in the fridge. Otherwise store it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.
* Be extremely careful when using foundation near broken or infected skin. Scoop a small amount onto a plastic dish with a spatula, then put the container away so you don't accidentally contaminate the pot. Use a medicated formulation or concealer on the affected area.
* If available, choose a foundation in a tube or pump dispenser. These are good because the product can't slip back into the container after it has been exposed to air. The risk of contamination with bacteria is therefore greatly reduced.
Powder
Shelf Life: Two years
Although powder will actually last longer, two years is the longest you should really keep it. After that, it can start to get a bit dry and, in the case of pressed powder, it may not go on as smoothly. This is unavoidable, as powder mixes with natural skin oils left on the sponge. As a general rule, loose powder can last up to three years in the right conditions.
Read more: http://www.ivillage.co.uk/beauty/makeup/tips/articles/0,,548145_183872-5,00.html
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