What this tool does and when to use it
This checker takes a makeup or skincare product and the month you opened it, applies the usual period after opening for that product, and tells you whether it is still good, should be used up soon or is due for replacing, with the month to replace it by. Use it when you sort through a makeup bag, before a trip, or after an eye infection, when eye products should go whatever their age.
How long does makeup last after opening?
Most cosmetics carry a small open jar symbol with a number, such as 6M or 12M. That is the period after opening, the number of months a product stays safe and effective once air, fingers and brushes have touched it. It is different from an expiry date, which applies to an unopened product sitting on a shelf.
Liquid and creamy products spoil fastest because water lets bacteria grow. Dry powders last the longest. Anything used around the eyes has the shortest life of all, because bacteria from a mascara wand can go straight back into the eye.
Makeup shelf life chart
| Product | Replace after opening |
|---|---|
| Mascara, liquid eyeliner | 3 months |
| Makeup sponges | 3 months, or sooner if torn |
| Liquid foundation, concealer, cream blush | 12 months |
| Lip gloss, liquid lipstick | 12 months |
| Lipstick | 18 months |
| Powders, eyeshadow, pencil liners | 24 months |
| Skincare serums, moisturizer, sunscreen | 12 months, or the printed date on sunscreen |
| Perfume | About 3 years |
How long does makeup last unopened?
A sealed product has not met air, fingers or brushes, so it lasts far longer than an open one. In the EU, any cosmetic that will not keep for 30 months must print a "best before the end of" date, usually next to a small hourglass. Products that keep longer show only the open jar symbol. So a sealed lipstick, foundation or palette with no printed date is made to last at least 30 months, about two and a half years, from when it was made, as long as it is stored somewhere cool and dry.
The US is different. There is no federal law that makes cosmetics carry a shelf life or an expiry date, and the FDA leaves setting one to the manufacturer. Many US products still carry the open jar symbol because they are also sold in Europe.
Unopened does not mean forever. Heat, sun and humidity break products down even inside the pack, and sunscreen should never be used past its printed date. If a sealed product smells or looks wrong when you open it, throw it away.
When to replace it: worked examples
From the chart above, if you opened each product in May 2026:
| Product | Lasts after opening | Replace by |
|---|---|---|
| Mascara or liquid eyeliner | 3 months | August 2026 |
| Liquid foundation or concealer | 12 months | May 2027 |
| Lipstick | 18 months | November 2027 |
| Eyeshadow or powder blush | 24 months | May 2028 |
| Perfume | About 36 months | May 2029 |
The FDA notes that makers usually advise throwing mascara away two to four months after you buy it, because the wand meets bacteria every time you use it. Three months is the common middle of that range, which is what this checker uses.
What happens if you use expired makeup?
Old products often just stop working well: foundation separates, mascara dries out and sunscreen loses protection. More importantly, bacteria and fungi can build up, which can cause breakouts, skin irritation or, with eye products, conjunctivitis. Throw out anything that has changed smell, color or texture, whatever the date says, and always replace eye makeup after an eye infection.
How to make your makeup last longer
Store products in a cool, dry drawer rather than a steamy bathroom, close lids tightly, wash brushes every week or two and never add water or saliva to dried out products. Sharpen pencil liners before use to remove the top layer. Now that your kit is fresh, build a routine with the skincare routine builder, find flattering shades with the seasonal color analysis quiz, and get inspiration from our makeup guide.
