Out with the old! In with the new! Have your body care products expired?

It’s always wise to check the expiration dates. As governments become more aware of health and safety, new laws require manufacturers to label packaging with the production dates and the expected date that the product will no longer be effective. Sometimes that means the product may become dangerous after that date.

Often abbreviated “Exp.,” the date that follows that abbreviation will be the manufacturer’s suggestion of when the product should no longer be used. Of course, if cosmetics are kept tightly sealed and you know the date you opened them, you can figure from that date.

Tip: Use a permanent market to write the date you opened a product right on it! That way you’ll always know when it’s time to throw it away.

If you can’t find an expiration date listed on the packaging, manufacturers also organize their products by batch numbers, which include production dates. You can then calculate the shelf life of the product from that date.

You can find "cosmetic calculators" online which can give you a good estimate of the date of manufacture for many brands. You enter the batch number and the calculator will return the production date. Then you can add the months to figure out the expiration date.

Recommended general period after opening (discard after these times):

    Natural and Organic products – up to 6 months to 1 year
    Mascara – 3-6 months
    Liquid eyeliner – from 3 to 4 months
    Solid eyeliner and eyebrow pencil – from 6 to 8 months
    Pencil (Eye, Lip) – about 1 year
    Lipstick, lip gloss – 1 year
     
    Skin care products (hydrating cosmetics, wrinkle care, eye contour, etc.) in a sealed packet – 1 year
    Skin care lotions or creams in a jar – from 6 to 10 months
    Powders (including blush, eye shadows, face powder) – 1 to 3 years
    Foundation in a jar or a cream powder – 1 to 3 years
    Sun cosmetics – 1 year (but no more than one season)
    Perfumes – up to 3 years
And while you’re ‘clutter clearing,’ make plans to deal with those nagging skin or hair problems that you haven’t had time to handle before. Get that scalp cleanser and an exfoliating mask, and do a deep cleansing of your hair and face. Follow up with hydrating oils and serums that renew your cells.

You’ll feel so clean and refreshed – like a new person -- a great way to start the year!

Image courtesy of Michal Marcol /FreeDigitalPhotos.net

By Teviot Fairservis.


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