When Cosmetics Expire, and What Goes First

Old cosmetics rarely fail dramatically. They lose effectiveness quietly, and some of them grow things.

Two different dates

The printed expiry applies to the unopened product. The small open-jar symbol with a number, such as 6M or 12M, counts months from the day you opened it. Writing the opening date on the packaging is the cheapest habit in cosmetic safety.

The two to be strict about

• Mascara, roughly three months. It sits beside the eye and the wand returns to a damp tube after every use.
• Sunscreen. Past its date it protects less than the label promises, and the cost of that is measured in sun damage.

Signs a product has turned

A changed smell, separation that will not mix back together, or a shift in colour or texture. When in doubt, replace it. No cosmetic is worth an eye infection.