Written by the Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair team. Reviewed by Jason Markey, BPharmSci, MPharm, Owner and Pharmacist.
General health information from a registered pharmacist. It doesn’t replace advice from your own pharmacist or doctor.
Yes, makeup goes off. Mascara has the shortest life, at about three months once opened, while powders tend to keep the longest. Your best guides are the small open-jar symbol on the pack and your own eyes and nose: if a product changes in texture, smell or colour, it’s time to replace it.
Heat is hard on beauty products, which matters in a Queensland summer. Below, our beauty team and pharmacists at Pacific Fair explain how long common products last, the signs something has turned, why eye makeup deserves extra care, and which products in your bathroom cabinet carry a real expiry date.
How do you know when makeup expires?
Look for the open-jar symbol
Many products carry a small symbol of an open jar with a number and the letter M, such as 6M or 12M. This is the period after opening: the number of months the product is designed to be used once it’s open. Because the clock starts on the day you open it, write that date on the pack or on a small sticker so you’re not guessing later. CHOICE notes the symbol is a European norm and isn’t required on cosmetics sold in Australia, so not every product will have one.
Then use your senses
CHOICE advises looking out for changes in colour, consistency, appearance or smell, and for products that have separated. Watch for:
- liquids that separate, thicken or go watery
- mascara that’s dry, flaky or clumpy
- a smell that’s sour, musty or different from when you bought it
- colour that has darkened or changed
- creams that feel grainy or have dried out
How long do mascara, foundation and lipstick last?
Always go by the symbol on your pack first. As a rough guide, CHOICE suggests about three months for mascara and liquid eyeliner once opened, about six months for foundation, and about 12 months for lipstick and lip gloss. Powder products such as compacts, bronzers and blush keep longer. If the symbol on your product gives a shorter time, go with the pack.
| Product | Rough guide | Replace it sooner if… |
|---|---|---|
| Mascara and liquid eyeliner | About three months once opened | It’s dry or clumpy, or you’ve had an eye infection |
| Foundation | About six months once opened | It separates, smells different or changes colour |
| Powders (pressed powder, bronzer, blush) | Keep longer than liquids and creams | The texture changes or it smells off |
| Lipstick and lip gloss | About 12 months once opened | The texture or smell changes, or you’ve had a cold sore |
| Sunscreen | Check the expiry date; most last about two to three years | It’s out of date, or has changed colour, consistency or smell |
| Medicines | Check the expiry date printed on the pack | It’s past the date |
Why is old eye makeup a risk?
Your eyes are where to be strictest. healthdirect says infective conjunctivitis can spread through contact with objects contaminated with eye secretions, and advises:
- throwing out any eye makeup or eyelash extensions used right before or during an eye infection
- not sharing face washers, towels or makeup with anyone else
Lips need care too. healthdirect notes cold sores are highly contagious, even when blisters aren’t present, and spread through shared items such as cups, cutlery and towels. Keep lipsticks and lip balms to yourself, and consider replacing a lip product you used while you had a cold sore.
A few everyday habits help any product last its full life:
- wash your hands before you apply makeup
- don’t dip a used applicator back into the bottle; tip foundation onto the back of your hand or a clean palette instead
- close lids and caps straight after use
- keep your brushes and sponges clean
Do sunscreen and medicines really expire?
Yes, and these dates matter more than makeup.
Sunscreen
Cancer Council says most sunscreens last about two to three years, and if one is out of date it’s unlikely to be effective. A Cleveland Clinic dermatologist adds that changes in colour, consistency and smell are signs a sunscreen has gone off. Mineral sunscreens may feel gritty or be hard to rub in, and chemical sunscreens may turn yellow and watery. Check the date before a beach day. If you’re buying a new one, our guide to SPF30 vs SPF50 can help.
Medicines
healthdirect explains that the law requires each medicine’s expiry date to be written on the packaging. After that date a medicine may not work as well, and taking old medicines can cause harm. healthdirect also warns that eye drops become less effective after their expiry date and can become contaminated with bacteria.
Don’t flush old medicines or put them in the rubbish bin. Bring them to a pharmacy for safe disposal: here’s how to dispose of old medicines.
How should you store makeup in Queensland heat?
- Keep products out of the car. Cancer Council recommends storing sunscreen below 30°C in a cool, dark place, and ideally not in a car on a hot day. Cleveland Clinic notes heat and humidity speed up the breakdown of sunscreen. The same caution makes sense for the rest of your makeup bag.
- Choose a cool, dry, dark spot. CHOICE says bathrooms aren’t ideal because of the heat and moisture, and the bathroom windowsill is the worst place of all. A bedroom drawer is kinder to products in a humid summer.
- Keep perfume away from heat and light. See how to make perfume last longer for storage tips.
- Store products closed and upright, with caps on pencils and mascara.
How our beauty team can help
Not sure whether something is past its best? Bring it in and our beauty advisors can help you decide, and find a close match if your favourite has been discontinued. Ask about our makeup and fragrance advice at Pacific Fair, or browse the makeup range on priceline.com.au.
When to see a pharmacist or GP
Talk to a pharmacist if you’re unsure whether a medicine is still OK to use, or if you can’t find its expiry date. See a pharmacist, optometrist or GP (our in-store Help Medical GPs are one option) if:
- your eyes are red, sore, sticky or watery and not improving after a day or two
- you have eye pain, a sudden change in your vision or light hurts your eyes: see a doctor or optometrist straight away
- you get an itchy, red or swollen rash where you’ve applied a makeup product
- cold sores keep coming back or are slow to heal
Sources
This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist or you’re worried, talk to your pharmacist or GP. In an emergency, call 000.
Talk to our pharmacists at Pacific Fair
Pop in, no appointment needed. We’re on the ground floor of Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Broadbeach, open 7 days and until 9pm on Thursdays.