Don’t Let Your Skincare Routine Sabotage Your Glow
By Gelainza Kong, Chief Inspiration Officer at Pinkalulu
The Truth About Expired Skincare & Makeup You Need to Know
Just because it looks okay, doesn’t mean it is.
In the age of overflowing shelfies and drawers, it’s easy to forget that our skincare and makeup don’t last forever. Beauty products expire — and using them past their prime can do more harm to your skin than good.
Let’s uncover what’s lurking in your beauty drawer and the truth about expired beauty products.
Do Skincare & Makeup Products Expire?
Yes. Every product has a lifespan, no matter how luxe or well-formulated. From your favourite serum to your most-used lipstick, formulas break down and bacteria grows over time.
However, many people aren’t aware of this. A 2013 study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science evaluated the makeup routines and habits of women, and the results were more than shocking. 70% of women in the study used some type of expired product—mostly eye makeup (mascara, eyeliner, eye shadow). The researchers sampled the eye makeup for contamination and found that 67% were contaminated!
5 Signs to Tell If Your Product Has Gone Bad
1. Changes in Texture
Watery? Clumpy? Separated? Toss it.
2. Weird Smell
If your cream smells like crayons or your foundation has a sour scent, it’s time to let go. Fresh products have a clean or subtle fragrance.
3. Color Shifts
That vibrant pink blush turning beige? Or your serum darkening over time? Oxidation has happened. It’s not stable anymore.
4. Irritation When Used
Tingling, stinging, or breakouts from a product that used to work? That’s your skin begging for a fresh replacement.
5. Look for the Period After Opening (PAO) Symbol
Look for this icon: 🧴 “12M” = discard 12 months after opening. Most skincare expires within 6–24 months once opened, even if unused.
Is it okay to use expired cosmetics?
Using expired cosmetics can compromise your skin barrier and exacerbate the skin concerns, like redness, dryness and blemishes, that you’re trying to tackle.
● Skin Irritation & Breakouts
Spoiled products can turn into irritants. Your serum shouldn’t sting like a chemical peel!
● Loss of Efficacy
Vitamin C? Niacinamide? Retinol? Once unstable, they lose potency. So, you’re just applying nothing.
● Bacterial Infections
Especially with products in tubs or applicators, bacteria growing can lead to eye infections, rashes, or breakouts. Not worth it.
● Worsening Skin Conditions
If you have eczema, rosacea, or sensitive skin, expired products can trigger a flare-up.
How to Store Beauty in a Hot & Humid Climate?
Living in humid, tropical Singapore? Your products need extra attention.
1. Keep them in cool, dry places
No direct sunlight or window sills. Avoid keeping skincare in steamy bathrooms — humidity encourages bacterial growth.
2. Consider a skincare fridge
Especially for serums, vitamin C, and water-based actives. Bonus: cooling effect feels like a mini facial.
3. Always close caps tightly
Exposure to air shortens shelf life and destabilises active ingredients.
4. Avoid touching product directly
Use spatulas or clean fingers to limit contaminations.
5. Track your opening date
Especially mascaras, lipsticks, liquid items are more susceptible to bacteria growth. Every 6 months, examine closely these items and throw them out if in doubt.
6. Never let products sit in your car on a hot day
Heat will shorten the product lifespan.
7. Never share the product (even with family members)
Risk of contamination increases when more people share beauty products.
Here’s a quick shelf life guide:
Skin care products generally remain “good” for six months to three years:
● Cleansers, body washes and scrubs: 1 year
● Toners: 6 months to 1 year
● BHA or AHA exfoliants: 1 year
● Serums or moisturizers: 6 months to 1 year
● Eye creams, gels or treatments: 6 months to 1 year
● Lip balm: 1 year
Makeup products can last anywhere from three months to three years:
● Mascaras and eyeliners: 3 to 6 months (always toss out dry mascara—never add water to extend its life)
● Concealers and Concealers: 6 months to 1 year
● Powder-based products (including blush, bronzer, etc.): 2 to 3 years
● Eyeshadows: 1–2 years, with powder shadows lasting longest
● Lipstick, gloss and lip pencils: 2 to 3 years
Beauty is Ritual, not Risk.
You deserve skincare that supports you — not sabotages your glow. Declutter your shelf, check your dates, and store wisely. Your skin (and wallet) will thank you.
When in doubt? Toss it out.
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