Does makeup expire? Yes. Once opened, most products last from about three months (mascara and liquid eyeliner) to around two years (powders), depending on the formula. Unopened makeup lasts longer, but not forever. The quickest way to check any product is the small open-jar symbol on the packaging, which tells you how many months it’s good for after opening.
This guide covers how long makeup lasts product by product, why the numbers differ between sources, how to read the symbols on the label, and the signs that a product has gone bad. It’s about shelf life, not how long makeup stays on your face during the day. Keeping your products fresh is part of looking after every step of your makeup routine.
- Shortest life: mascara and liquid eyeliner, about 3 months after opening.
- Longest life: powder products, up to about 2 years.
- Check the label first: the open-jar symbol (“6M”, “12M”) is the product’s own guide.
- Toss it early if it smells, separates, changes color or irritates your skin.
Why does makeup expire?
Makeup doesn’t spoil like food on a set day, but it does break down. Cosmetic chemist Giorgio Dell’Acqua, PhD, chair of the New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists, puts it simply: “The ingredients evolve, and they’ll eventually go bad.”
Three things speed that up:
- Air. Dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD, told Cleveland Clinic: “When you open it, ingredients start to oxidize or degrade because they’re exposed to the air.”
- Bacteria from use. Fingers, brushes and your skin all add microbes, and preservatives weaken over time. The FDA explains that “Each time a person uses mascara, it’s exposed to bacteria and fungi.”
- Water and warmth. Liquids and creams contain water, and bacteria need moisture to grow. That’s one reason the sources below give liquids and creams a shorter life than powders.
Eye products matter most. According to the FDA, “Eye-area cosmetics tend to have shorter shelf lives than other products, which may cause eye infections that can be serious.”
How long does makeup last? A shelf life chart by product
Here’s how long makeup lasts after opening, according to three medical sources: Cleveland Clinic (2026), Ohio State (2022) and Mayo Clinic Health System (2021). As you’ll see, they don’t always agree, so the last column gives our own practical rule of thumb, not a figure from any single source: where most sources agree, leaning toward the shorter time for eye and liquid products.
| Product | Cleveland Clinic | Ohio State | Mayo Clinic HS | Our rule of thumb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mascara | 6 months | 3 months | 3 months | 3 months |
| Liquid eyeliner | 6 months | 3 months | 3 months | 3 months |
| Pencil eyeliner, lip and brow pencils | 1 to 2 years (eyeliner) | 1 year | Up to a year | 1 year |
| Liquid foundation and concealer | 6 months | 1 year | 1 year (water-based foundation); about 18 months (oil-based foundation); concealer not listed | 6 to 12 months |
| Cream blush and liquid eyeshadow | 6 months (blush); 6 months to 1 year (liquid shadow) | Not listed | 6 months to 1 year (blush); liquid eyeshadow not listed | 6 to 12 months |
| Powder foundation, blush and eyeshadow | 1 to 2 years | Not listed | Up to 2 years | Up to 2 years |
| Lipstick | 6 months | 1 to 2 years | 1 to 2 years | 1 to 2 years |
| Lip gloss | 6 months | 1 to 2 years | 6 months to 1 year | 6 to 12 months |
| Makeup with SPF | 6 months | Not listed | Not listed | Follow the printed date |
For mascara, the three-month figure is backed widely. The FDA says manufacturers usually recommend throwing mascara away two to four months after you buy it, and dermatologist Dara Spearman, MD, tells the American Academy of Dermatology: “The lifespan of mascara is three months for good reason.”
Why the numbers don’t match
There’s no single official chart. In the U.S., shelf life is set by each manufacturer, and formulas vary a lot: a water-based foundation and an oil-based one can age differently, and so can two lipsticks from different brands. How you use and store a product matters too.
So use the chart as a guide and follow this order: first the date or symbol on the product itself, then the chart, then your own eyes and nose. For eye products and anything liquid, when in doubt, go with the shorter time.
How to read the expiration symbols on makeup
When does makeup expire? Most products tell you, if you know where to look.
- The open-jar symbol (PAO). A small drawing of an open jar with a number and “M”, such as “12M”, is the period after opening. As dermatologist Cynthia Bailey, MD, explains on the AAD’s site: “The number tells you how many months the product should last after you open it.”
- A “best before” date. Some products print an actual date, often after the words “best before” or “best used before the end of.”
- A batch code. Many brands stamp a code that shows when the product was made. If there’s no date, the brand’s customer service can usually tell you what the code means (our practical tip).
An easy habit from Ohio State dermatologist Susan Massick, MD: write the date you opened a product directly on the container, so you know when to replace it.
The label rules in the US, UK and Canada
What you’ll find on the label depends partly on where the product is sold:
- United States: the FDA states: “There are no U.S. laws or regulations that require cosmetics to have specific shelf lives or have expiration dates on their labels.” Dr. Bailey adds: “In the United States, the Period After Opening information isn’t required on cosmetics.” Many brands include it anyway.
- UK and EU: the cosmetics rules (Regulation 1223/2009, Article 19, as kept in UK law) require a “best used before the end of” date on products that last 30 months or less. For longer-lasting products, “Indication of the date of minimum durability shall not be mandatory for cosmetic products with a minimum durability of more than 30 months,” and the open-jar symbol is required instead. Great Britain applies this as retained UK law, while Northern Ireland and the EU apply the same rule directly. That’s why most makeup shows a jar symbol rather than a date.
- Canada: Health Canada’s cosmetic labelling guide doesn’t list an expiry date or period-after-opening symbol among the mandatory label items, so check the packaging for whatever the brand provides.
Does makeup expire if not opened?
Yes, but slowly. Unopened makeup lasts much longer than opened makeup because it hasn’t been exposed to air, fingers or brushes. Dr. Khetarpal says: “Unopened, well-formulated makeup is stable for years at room temperature.” Parade, drawing on Dr. Massick’s guidance, puts sealed makeup at about two to three years.
The UK and EU rule above gives a useful clue: if a product only shows a jar symbol and no date, the maker has judged that it lasts more than 30 months unopened.
Past its date, unopened makeup is less of a hygiene risk than an old opened product, but it may not perform well. Dr. Massick writes for Ohio State: “Makeup that hasn’t been used yet but is past its labeled expiration date likely just won’t work as well.”
Storage matters even for sealed products. The FDA advises: “Don’t leave them where they are exposed to heat, such as in a hot car. Heat can make preservatives break down and cause bacteria and fungi to grow faster.”
Signs your makeup has expired
Does makeup go bad even if you barely use it? Yes, and old makeup often gives itself away. Cleveland Clinic lists five signs to watch for:
- Smell: “If it smells like chemicals or the odor becomes unpleasant or sour, the item should be replaced.”
- Texture: clumping powders, dry or gritty eyeliner, or foundation that separates.
- Performance: “If your mascara is flaking or your blush isn’t blending the way it should, it may have lost its effectiveness and should be thrown away.”
- Color: “Makeup oxidizes over time, meaning oxygen causes it to change color.”
- Skin reactions: new breakouts, irritation or allergic reactions after using a product.
Dermatologist Mona Foad, MD, sums it up in Parade: “Changes in color, texture, smell or performance are good indicators that it may be time to replace a product.” If any of these show up, replace the product even if it’s still inside the time on the chart.
What happens if you use expired makeup?
Often nothing dramatic, but the risk rises the older and more used a product gets. Dr. Massick explains that opened makeup “can harbor harmful bacteria. This can make your skin more likely to break out, become irritated or even introduce infections.”
Dr. Bailey notes on the AAD’s site: “Over time, bacteria and mold often contaminate makeup.” Dr. Spearman adds: “Instead of having the desired effect, old makeup may irritate your skin.” Expired products also tend to apply unevenly, so even when they’re safe, they don’t look their best.
Eye makeup carries the most serious risk because of eye infections. If you develop an eye infection, stop using your eye makeup, throw out the products you used, and see a doctor. Dr. Khetarpal says to replace mascara and other eye products “if you have an infection like pink eye.” She gives the same advice for lip products after a cold sore: “If you get a cold sore, stop using these products and start fresh.”
SPF makeup and sunscreen expiration
Products that claim sun protection play by stricter rules. In the U.S., sunscreen is regulated as an over-the-counter drug. The FDA’s sunscreen guidance says nonprescription drugs need an expiration date unless testing shows they stay stable “for at least three years,” and that “a sunscreen product that doesn’t have an expiration date should be considered expired three years after purchase.”
Once sunscreen expires, the protection can’t be trusted. Dr. Bailey: “Dermatologists recommend that you toss sunscreen when it expires because the active ingredients that protect your skin break down and no longer protect you.” The same logic applies to foundation or powder with SPF: check the printed date, and remember that SPF makeup doesn’t replace a proper layer of broad-spectrum sunscreen.
How to clear out your makeup bag in 10 minutes
A quick clear-out every few months keeps your kit safe and makes it easier to see what you actually use. Here’s a simple routine based on the guidance above:
- Start with eye products. Toss any mascara or liquid eyeliner you opened more than about three months ago, or can’t remember opening.
- Check each label. Look for the open-jar symbol or a printed date, and compare it with when you started using the product.
- Look and sniff. Throw out anything that has separated, changed color, dried out or smells sour or chemical.
- Think about recent infections. Replace eye products used during an eye infection, and lip products used during a cold sore.
- Check SPF products for a printed expiration date, and toss any that have passed it.
- Label what you keep. Write the opening date on anything new, so the next clear-out is faster.
If you’re unsure about a product’s makeup shelf life and it has no symbol or date, the chart above is a reasonable guide. Before you throw containers away, check whether they can be recycled: Earth911 notes that “TerraCycle partners with brands and retailers to offer beauty packaging recycling through both free brand-sponsored programs and paid Zero Waste Boxes.”
How to make your makeup last longer (safely)
You can’t stop makeup from aging, but you can avoid speeding it up:
- Store it cool and dry. Keep products away from heat and direct sun, and never leave them in a hot car.
- Close lids tightly after every use to limit air exposure.
- Use clean hands and tools. Dirty applicators carry bacteria straight into your products, so wash your makeup brushes regularly and clean your makeup sponges after every use.
- Don’t add water or saliva to dried-out products, especially mascara.
- Don’t share. The FDA puts it bluntly: “Don’t share makeup. You may be sharing an infection.”
- Buy small sizes of fast-expiring products. A mini mascara you finish in three months wastes less than a full-size tube you throw out half-used (our practical tip).
- Sharpen pencils before use to expose a fresh tip (a simple hygiene habit).
- Plan for travel. Cars, beaches and luggage can get hot. If you’re packing makeup for a flight, take only what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is makeup good for after opening?
It depends on the product. Mascara and liquid eyeliner are best replaced after about three months. Liquid foundation, concealer and cream products usually last six to 12 months, and powders up to about two years. Always check the open-jar symbol on the packaging first, since it’s the product’s own guide.
Does expired makeup still work?
Sometimes, but not reliably. Formulas can dry out, separate, change color or lose their smooth texture, so they may look patchy or wear off quickly. Opened products also carry a higher risk of bacteria. As Dr. Bailey puts it: “You cannot trust old makeup to perform the way you expect.”
Can you use expired makeup if it looks and smells fine?
Powders that look and smell normal are lower risk than liquids, but no product is risk-free after its date. Bacteria aren’t visible. For eye products and liquids, it’s safest to replace them once they pass their time, even if they seem fine. For powders, replace them at the first change in smell, color or texture.
How long does mascara last?
About three months after opening. The FDA notes that manufacturers usually advise replacing mascara within two to four months of buying it, since every use exposes it to bacteria and fungi. If it dries out or clumps sooner, replace it then. Throw it out right away after an eye infection.
Does lipstick expire?
Yes. Ohio State and Mayo Clinic Health System put lipstick at one to two years, while Cleveland Clinic suggests six months for lip products. Dr. Khetarpal explains why lips are a special case: “Our lips have a lot of bacteria on them, so lip products get contaminated quickly.” Replace lipstick after a cold sore.
Does powder makeup expire?
Yes, but it lasts the longest. Powder foundation, blush, bronzer and eyeshadow are usually good for one to two years after opening, because they don’t contain the water that bacteria need to grow. Replace a powder sooner if its color, smell or texture changes, or if it stops blending well.
Can you revive dried-out mascara?
No, it’s time to replace it. The FDA warns against adding water or saliva to moisten mascara, because that introduces bacteria into the product. A mascara that has dried out is often near the end of its safe life anyway, so a fresh tube is the better choice.
The short version
Does makeup expire? Yes. Once opened, mascara and liquid eyeliner last about three months, liquid foundation, concealer and cream products about six to 12 months, lipstick one to two years, and powders up to about two years. Check the open-jar symbol first, since it’s the product’s own guide.
Unopened makeup lasts years but not forever. Throw products out if they smell, separate, change color or irritate your skin, and replace eye makeup after an eye infection. Keep everything cool, closed and clean, and never share.
