Does Makeup Expire? 4 Signs You Should Toss Your Product ASAP + Why 

While your trusty eyeshadow pallet from 10 years ago has stuck by your side through thick and thin, it might be time to separate. Yes, makeup has an expiration date, much like the rest of your beauty and skin care routine. But "makeup" is a broad category and includes many different types of formulas. So you may be wondering when, exactly, it's time to part ways.

Here's a quick crash course (with help from some experts) to help you get an idea.

This is especially important for liquid foundations: "Foundations are water-based and therefore are a more favorable environment for bacteria to grow," board-certified dermatologist and YouTube creator Andrea Suarez, M.D., FAAD, tells mbg.

Typically concealer is packaged with a wand that goes from the tube, touches skin, then goes back into the tube. Over time this can cause contamination (from bacteria or buildup on the skin), so tossing your concealer after it expires is even more important given that factor.

Powder products generally last longer than liquid, so your setting powder should be good for 12 to 18 months post-open. Remember to wash your powder brush once a week regardless as bacteria can accumulate and spread to your powder.

Powder blush and bronzer products can last up to two years. However, with the rise of liquid complexion products, it's important to note that cream blush and bronzers will likely have a shorter shelf life, about 12 to 18 months instead.

"Eye makeup is more likely to pick up bacteria, given the proximity to the mucous membranes with each application," Suarez says. This can lead to irritation of the eye itself or the sensitive surrounding skin including the waterline, eyelid, and under-eye. Hence, why most eye makeup products should be tossed between 3 and 6 months.

"The easiest way to tell if your mascara is contaminated or is too old is to give it a sniff," makeup artist Jenny Patinkin once told mbg. "If it smells sour or a little acidic, then toss it right away." 

Powder eye shadow should be tossed after 3 to 6 months. While the formula itself may not be expired at this benchmark, it's important to prioritize eye health. If you're using an eyeshadow daily, lean toward 3 months. If it's more occasional use, 6 months should be fine.

Liquid eyeliner expires anywhere from 3 to 6 months, if it doesn't dry out before that. Pencil and crayon liners should be tossed around 3 to 6 months as well, especially if you're using them on the waterline. Eyeliner pencils can be a more hygienic option, as you shave them down every week or so, minimizing repeated exposure.

However, Patinkin notes you may have some wiggle room with lipsticks: "Often because they are made with preservatives that keep them from oxidizing or hardening," she notes. "A couple of years is fine to hang on to a lipstick." 

Lip gloss expires after 12 months. If you want your gloss to stay fresh, make sure you store it in a cool environment and always twist the cap tightly closed.

Though you'll probably use up your lip balm in a few months, they expire after 12 months. Since lip products touch the mouth again and again it's easy for them to get covered in bacteria quickly.

Nail polish expires after 12 to 24 months depending on the formula. If you notice your polish separating in the bottle even after a good shake, that's a telltale sign it's ready to go. Polish can also appear goopy and clumpy if it's gone bad.

Perfume and cologne expire after 12 to 15 months depending on the formula and the scent. More natural-leaning perfumes expire quicker than those packed with alcohol and stabilizers. If you start to see a shift in color, notice aroma changes, or see sedimentation in your perfume, toss it.

While the true signs of expiration differ from product to product, a few general clues yours has gone bad include:

Apart from frankly not working as well, expired makeup may actually pose a health risk to your skin—especially liquid products. As our experts have noted throughout the article, makeup can become a breeding ground for bacteria, which can irritate the skin, lips, and eyes. In some more serious cases it can even cause infection.

But please just know: When you see preservatives on your INCI list, it's a good thing.

Just because your favorite makeup products are ride-or-die status doesn't mean you can use them for years on end. Be sure to check the expiration date on your makeup products and switch them out if you start seeing funky changes. Oh, and FYI: It's not just makeup that has a shelf life—skin care is one and the same.