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Information Center
2007 Copyright Germ Free Solutions
Canning the Cosmetics
Find out when to trash old makeupIs that foundation you bought last fall
still safe to wear? What about the lipstick you found in an old purse? We
tell you what to use and what to lose.
Tossing that gunky bottle of lotion when it starts squirting out of the pump like water is a no-
brainer.
But when should you throw out that 4-year-old shimmer powder that you use only for third dates
and holidays? Should you toss it, too, even though you're not even halfway through and it seems
fine?
And do you really need to toss your mascara after three months?
We consulted some experts to find out if and when cosmetics and other personal-care products
— often little more than talcum powder, minerals and coloring — really should make their way
from the bathroom counter to the wastebasket.
Yes, the experts said. But not always as quickly as the cosmetics counter would like you to
believe.
"I think today the majority of products are made in very good controlled conditions," says Jan
Marini, president of Jan Marini Skin Research, based in San Jose, Calif. "They're safe. You rarely
hear of someone having an issue."
Here's a roundup of their best advice. These guidelines, they cautioned, apply only to products
that have been stability tested (any reputable mass-market brand) and have preservatives added.
Organics and personal care products without preservatives, they said, degrade much more
quickly.
MASCARA
How long to keep it: Three to six months
Expert explanation: Your eyes are a haven for bacteria because they're wet and warm, says
Justin Klabin, who designs and manufactures personal care products. "When you apply the
mascara to your eyes and put it back in the container, you're contaminating it a little every day."
EYE CREAM
How long to keep it: Six months to a year
Expert explanation: Anything that goes near your eye needs to be watched carefully, says Jan
Marini, president of Jan Marini Skin Research, based in San Jose, Calif. If the cream gets runny or
changes consistency or smell in other ways before six months, throw it away.
LIQUID FOUNDATION
How long to keep it: One year
Expert explanation: If the foundation starts to smell fatty or the color or fragrance otherwise
changes, toss it, said Damiana Zullo, director of product and packaging development for Bliss.
CREAM BLUSH
How long to keep it: One year
Expert explanation: The same guidelines apply for cream blush as for liquid foundation.
EYE AND LIP LINER
How long to keep it: Indefinitely
Expert explanation: As long as you sharpen before use, you're getting rid of impurities, Marini
says.
POWDER (foundation, eye shadow, blush, etc.)
How long to keep it: Up to three years
Expert explanation: "Powders have a long, long life," Marini said. "Most powders don't have
water, so there are few microbials that will grow."
LIPSTICK
How long to keep it: Two years or longer
Expert explanation: "It's so apparent as soon as you take the top off and put it under your nose,"
Zullo said. "If there's a strong, waxy smell, get rid of it."
BODY WASH
How long to keep it: Up to two years
Expert explanation: The astringent properties of soap help keep bacteria from growing.
SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER
How long to keep it: Up to two years
Expert explanation: If it gets especially runny or starts to separate, throw it out.
BODY LOTION
How long to keep it: Up to two years
Expert explanation: Old lotion won't hurt you, but the longer it sits on the shelf, the less effective it
becomes, Klabin said.
MOISTURIZER
How long to keep it: One year
Expert explanation: Look for changes in color, consistency or smell.
OTHER WAYS TO KEEP PRODUCTS CLEAN, SAFE
Sources: Jan Marini, president of Jan Marini Skin Research; Damiana Zullo, director of product
and packaging development for Bliss; Justin Klabin, personal-care product designer and
manufacturer
Erin White
McClatchy Newspapers
Monday, Sep. 24, 2007 8:50 am
Find out when to trash old makeupIs that foundation you bought last fall
still safe to wear? What about the lipstick you found in an old purse? We
tell you what to use and what to lose.
Tossing that gunky bottle of lotion when it starts squirting out of the pump like water is a no-
brainer.
But when should you throw out that 4-year-old shimmer powder that you use only for third dates
and holidays? Should you toss it, too, even though you're not even halfway through and it seems
fine?
And do you really need to toss your mascara after three months?
We consulted some experts to find out if and when cosmetics and other personal-care products
— often little more than talcum powder, minerals and coloring — really should make their way
from the bathroom counter to the wastebasket.
Yes, the experts said. But not always as quickly as the cosmetics counter would like you to
believe.
"I think today the majority of products are made in very good controlled conditions," says Jan
Marini, president of Jan Marini Skin Research, based in San Jose, Calif. "They're safe. You rarely
hear of someone having an issue."
Here's a roundup of their best advice. These guidelines, they cautioned, apply only to products
that have been stability tested (any reputable mass-market brand) and have preservatives added.
Organics and personal care products without preservatives, they said, degrade much more
quickly.
MASCARA
How long to keep it: Three to six months
Expert explanation: Your eyes are a haven for bacteria because they're wet and warm, says
Justin Klabin, who designs and manufactures personal care products. "When you apply the
mascara to your eyes and put it back in the container, you're contaminating it a little every day."
EYE CREAM
How long to keep it: Six months to a year
Expert explanation: Anything that goes near your eye needs to be watched carefully, says Jan
Marini, president of Jan Marini Skin Research, based in San Jose, Calif. If the cream gets runny or
changes consistency or smell in other ways before six months, throw it away.
LIQUID FOUNDATION
How long to keep it: One year
Expert explanation: If the foundation starts to smell fatty or the color or fragrance otherwise
changes, toss it, said Damiana Zullo, director of product and packaging development for Bliss.
CREAM BLUSH
How long to keep it: One year
Expert explanation: The same guidelines apply for cream blush as for liquid foundation.
EYE AND LIP LINER
How long to keep it: Indefinitely
Expert explanation: As long as you sharpen before use, you're getting rid of impurities, Marini
says.
POWDER (foundation, eye shadow, blush, etc.)
How long to keep it: Up to three years
Expert explanation: "Powders have a long, long life," Marini said. "Most powders don't have
water, so there are few microbials that will grow."
LIPSTICK
How long to keep it: Two years or longer
Expert explanation: "It's so apparent as soon as you take the top off and put it under your nose,"
Zullo said. "If there's a strong, waxy smell, get rid of it."
BODY WASH
How long to keep it: Up to two years
Expert explanation: The astringent properties of soap help keep bacteria from growing.
SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER
How long to keep it: Up to two years
Expert explanation: If it gets especially runny or starts to separate, throw it out.
BODY LOTION
How long to keep it: Up to two years
Expert explanation: Old lotion won't hurt you, but the longer it sits on the shelf, the less effective it
becomes, Klabin said.
MOISTURIZER
How long to keep it: One year
Expert explanation: Look for changes in color, consistency or smell.
OTHER WAYS TO KEEP PRODUCTS CLEAN, SAFE
- Never add water to cosmetics. This makes a more welcoming environment for microbes
and bacteria. - If a product comes with an applicator wand or pad, make sure you sanitize it before each
use. Otherwise, you're shoveling in germs as you shovel out the product. - Clean makeup brushes regularly with warm water and mild soap.
- Wash your hands before touching cosmetics.
- If a product changes in consistency, radically changes color or smells musty, moldy or
even differently, get rid of it. All are signs of bacterial growth. - Don't share makeup.
- Keep lids on when products aren't in use. The more air gets in, the more likely bacteria
are to grow. - Try to keep makeup and skin-care products out of warm, humid areas. If you store them in
the bathroom, at least put them in a drawer.
Sources: Jan Marini, president of Jan Marini Skin Research; Damiana Zullo, director of product
and packaging development for Bliss; Justin Klabin, personal-care product designer and
manufacturer
Erin White
McClatchy Newspapers
Monday, Sep. 24, 2007 8:50 am
