Makeup Expiration Guide: When to Replace Your Cosmetics

Ever tidy up your makeup collection and wonder, “When did I buy this eyeshadow?” A blush that never seems to run out, a lip tint tucked away in your bag, the cushion puff you use every morning: chances are, there is something you cannot remember opening.

Makeup does not all last the same amount of time. Powder makeup generally needs replacing after about 1–2 years, liquid base makeup after 6–12 months, and mascara after about 3 months. Here is a guide to replacing old products and keeping your puffs and brushes clean.

Makeup replacement and cleaning guide at a glance

The table below covers suggested replacement times after opening and basic tool care. Formulas, packaging, and storage conditions vary, so always check the expiration date and period-after-opening label on your product first. Stop using a product if its smell or texture changes, even if it is still within the stated period.

Expiration dates vs. the period after opening

When checking how long you can use a cosmetic, look for both its expiration date and its period after opening (PAO). A manufacturing date tells you when the product was made; it is not the same as an expiration date.

The open-jar symbol marked 6M, 12M, or 24M means 6, 12, or 24 months after opening. A product marked 12M should be used within 12 months of the day you first open it. If a separately printed expiration date comes sooner, follow that date.

Write the opening date on the bottom of the container so you do not have to guess later. For palettes you tend to keep for a long time, record the purchase date and opening date separately.

Powder eyeshadow, blush, contour, and highlighter: 1–2 years

When to replace eyeshadow

Replace powder eyeshadow within about 1–2 years of opening. Having plenty left in the pan is not a reason to keep using it for years. Cream and liquid eyeshadows may have a shorter lifespan than powders.

If the surface hardens or the color applies differently, check both the product and your brush. A hard surface does not necessarily mean the formula has spoiled, but scraping it away does not make an old product safe to keep using.

When to replace blush

Powder blush generally needs replacing about 1–2 years after opening. Oil and foundation left on a brush can transfer onto the surface, so wash your brushes regularly too. For cream and liquid blush, follow the period shown on the packaging.

When to replace contour makeup

Replace powder contour within about 1–2 years of opening. For palettes with several shades, count from the day you first opened the palette, even if some shades are untouched. Contour sticks and creams may have different use periods.

When to replace highlighter

Powder highlighter also generally lasts about 1–2 years after opening. Because you use so little at a time, it is especially easy to lose track of its age. Mark the opening date, and use liquid and cream highlighters within the period stated on their labels.

Lip balm, lip tint, and lip gloss: 6–12 months

When to replace lip balm

We recommend replacing lip balm within about 6–12 months of opening. Direct contact with lips or fingers can introduce dirt and debris. Sticks, tubes, and pots may have different use periods, so check the packaging as well.

If you have left it in a hot car or on a sunny windowsill, check for changes in smell or texture. Use clean hands or a clean tool to take balm out of a pot.

When to replace lip tint and lip gloss

We also recommend replacing lip tint and lip gloss within about 6–12 months of opening. Individual products may have a longer or shorter labeled use period.

For products with an applicator that goes back into the tube, keep flakes of skin and other debris off the tip. Stop using the product if its smell changes, it separates unexpectedly, or it starts applying very differently.

Foundation and concealer: 6–12 months for liquids and creams

When to replace foundation

Liquid foundation generally needs replacing about 6–12 months after opening. Wipe residue off pump dispensers and replace the cap before storing. With cushion foundation, the puff needs regular cleaning and replacement separately from the makeup inside.

Stop using foundation if it develops an unusual smell or starts separating differently than before. Some formulas are designed to have two layers and need shaking, so check the instructions before treating separation as a sign of spoilage.

When to replace concealer

Replace liquid and cream concealers within about 6–12 months of opening. Applicators that touch the skin can pick up oil and debris. Especially when covering blemishes, dispense onto a clean palette or tool, and avoid dipping a tool back into the product after it has touched your skin.

Eyeliner and mascara: replace eye makeup more often

Liquid, pencil, and gel eyeliners are different

Replace liquid eyeliner about 3 months after opening. Sharpenable pencils and gel eyeliners can have different use periods, so there is no single replacement schedule for every type. Check the label for your formula.

Replace it sooner if it dries out, clumps, or develops an unusual smell, even if the stated use period has not ended.

Replace mascara about every 3 months

Replace mascara about 3 months after opening. The wand touches your lashes and then goes back into the tube, so it is best not to keep the same mascara for too long.

Never add water, saliva, or another liquid to revive dried-out mascara. If you develop an eye infection, stop using eye makeup and seek medical care. Discard the eye makeup you were using when the infection occurred.

How often to clean and replace makeup puffs and brushes

Replace cushion puffs about every 1–3 months

We recommend replacing a cushion foundation puff about every 1–3 months. It picks up oil, sweat, and dead skin as well as foundation. Replace it sooner if you use it daily or it becomes heavily soiled.

Washing methods depend on the puff's material, so follow its care instructions. Remove residue after use from washable puffs, and let them dry completely, including the center, after washing.

Keeping spare puffs makes it easier to rotate them and always use a dry one. Replace any puff that cracks, loses its bounce, or still smells or stays dirty after washing.

Wash makeup brushes every 7–10 days

Wash makeup brushes about every 7–10 days. Clean them more often if you use them with liquid makeup or they become heavily soiled.

Reshape the bristles and lay the brush flat to dry. Let the tips extend over the edge of a shelf or table so air can circulate. Replace brushes that shed heavily, lose their shape, feel scratchy on the skin, or retain an odor after washing.

Well-maintained brushes can last a long time. You do not need to throw one out simply because you have owned it for six months or a year.

Signs it is time to throw makeup away

Stop using makeup or tools if you notice any of these changes:

• An unusual smell or a change in color
• Unexpected separation or a much runnier consistency
• Drying, clumping, or a sudden change in how the product applies
• Unfamiliar spots or material that looks like mold
• Stinging, itching, or redness after use
• Odor or dirt that remains in a puff or brush after washing

A product can look fine and still be past its expiration date. Avoid using expired makeup. If irritation continues after you stop using a product, or you develop eye pain or redness, seek medical care.

Five habits for storing and organizing your makeup

1. Write down the opening date. Note it on the container or in a separate list alongside the period after opening, so you know when replacement is due.
2. Clear out expired products first. Follow whichever comes sooner: the printed expiration date or the end of the period after opening.
3. Avoid sunlight, heat, and humidity. Do not leave makeup in a damp bathroom, on a sunny windowsill, or inside a hot car.
4. Let tools dry thoroughly after washing. Do not put a wet puff straight back into a cushion compact or a closed makeup bag.
5. Close lids and caps after use. Keep your hands and container openings clean, and do not share products or tools that touch your lips or eyes.

If you have makeup that is more than two years old, take a moment to check when you opened it. Start with older eye makeup and liquid formulas, then look at the puffs and brushes you use every day.

Frequently asked questions about makeup expiration

Can I keep using eyeshadow that is three years old if it looks fine?

Appearance alone cannot tell you whether it is still suitable to use. Powder eyeshadow is generally best replaced within 1–2 years of opening. Replace it if the labeled period has passed or you cannot remember when you opened it.

Does 12M mean 12 months from the purchase date?

No. Next to the open-jar symbol, 12M means 12 months from the day you first open the product, not its purchase or manufacturing date. Check any separately printed expiration date too.

Should I replace mascara after three months if I have only used it a few times?

Yes, replacing it about three months after opening is a good habit even with occasional use. Using it less often does not extend its labeled use period. Throw it away sooner if it dries out or smells different, and never add water to revive it.

Can I keep using a cushion puff indefinitely if I wash it every week?

No. Regular washing does not mean a puff will last forever. Replace it if the surface cracks, it loses its bounce, or dirt and odor remain. Always let a washed puff dry completely before using it again.

Sources

FDA — Shelf Life and Expiration Dating of Cosmetics
AAD — When to Toss Your Makeup and Sunscreen
AAD — How to Clean Your Makeup Brushes
Geisinger — How Often Should You Clean Your Makeup Brushes?