How much money do women spend on cosmetics? Many will answer that much more than it really needs. And they will be right. Tubes, cans, bottles and bottles with various cosmetics are accumulated at every girl’s house, although in fact any lady uses about 10% of the total arsenal. Everything else is simply aimlessly gathering dust on shelves or used so rarely that it is not worth mentioning it.
It’s not bad that the fair sex spends a lot of money on useless things. Quite often, cosmetics have been on the shelves for years, its shelf life is ending. You cannot use expired creams, powders, tonal foundation and lipsticks.
How to determine the shelf life of foundation and other products? How to understand that the cosmetics have deteriorated? How to store foundation so that it lasts longer? We will give detailed answers to these questions in the article.
Can use or not
How long does the foundation last? Any girl knows that he can be different. The average shelf life is from 12 to 36 months. Going beyond the specified framework does not bring benefits to manufacturers, since stores do not want to mess with perishable products. Longer storage periods (over 36 months) mean that cosmetics contain a lot of preservatives.
Manufacturers of cosmetics indicate these figures after a series of tests. Initially, an experimental batch of goods is exposed to cold, heat and sunlight in order to recreate conditions during transportation and long-term storage on store shelves. Then, strains of fungi and bacteria are placed in cosmetics to determine whether the product will be just as effective when used with far from the most sterile fingers.
After each stage, the product is evaluated: specialists record changes in smell, structure, density, viscosity, color and many more characteristics. Based on the data obtained, a mathematical statistical model is constructed, with the help of which the deadlines for implementation and shelf life are calculated.
What to do with expired cosmetics
If the shelf life of foundation, powder, blush or lipstick has already expired, is it necessary to throw out cosmetics? Many girls feel sorry for parting with their favorite bottle, so they are in no hurry to send it to the bin. Most often, this makes no sense, since the product has long lost all of its properties and now represents a potential source of health hazard.
Although sometimes you can use cosmetics after the expiration date. For example, if the packaging was not previously opened and the contents were not in contact with air. This means that the product has remained sterile and can be used for some time, although it most likely will not meet the declared characteristics.
If the packaging was opened, then cosmetics at the end of the expiration date becomes dangerous. It accumulates a lot of microorganisms. Using expired lip gloss or mascara, you can get a pronounced allergic reaction, worsening skin condition, inflammation, infection of certain areas and many other problems.
Shelf life of different cosmetics
Dry cosmetics, in which the minimum content of water or oils, is stored for the longest time. Shelf life starts from 12 months. Usually we are talking about three years.
Water-based products are the least stored. Note that tonics, hydrogels, lotions after the end of use turn into poison for the skin. Why? The thing is that water is a favorable environment for the growth of microorganisms.
All natural cosmetics quickly deteriorate due to the oxidation of natural components. In addition, almost all products labeled “organic” contain few preservatives, which significantly reduces the shelf life.
High-oil cosmetics can also deteriorate quickly, but most of these products contain microflora inhibitors. Creams, masks, etc. containing retinol and vitamin C fall into the risk zone. These substances oxidize very quickly under the influence of light and oxygen.
Funds may deteriorate before the expiration date. This usually occurs when the savings conditions are violated.
Storage
Any cosmetics, including foundation, must be stored under the conditions indicated on the label. As a rule, this is room temperature, the absence of heating devices and sunlight near. Some products, such as whey, should only be kept in the refrigerator and used immediately after opening.
Cosmetics for body, face and hair care are stored and used from 6 months to a year, and for eyes - from 4 to 6 months.
The recommended shelf life for foundation and concealer is 6-12 months, regardless of what is indicated on the label. After a year of use, it is better to throw out the product, otherwise skin problems may occur.
Lipstick and lip liners can be used for 2-3 years.
Timing control
In order to know exactly which product should be disposed of, you need to check your cosmetic bag at least once every 2-3 months. It is also worthwhile to have a notebook in which to put down the date of opening of the bottles and tubes. If you do not want to bother with a notebook or sheets, you can make a mark directly on the label of the cosmetic product. This information will help determine how much is left until the end of the expiration date.
Types of foundation creams, features of use
What is the shelf life of foundation? This largely depends on the basis and properties of the product itself. Today, cosmetologists distinguish several types of foundation creams:
- Water based fluid. With the lightest texture, to mask minor defects. It quickly deteriorates because it contains water.
- Medium density. A little denser than liquid foundation, but it will not hide serious flaws.
- High density. These are professional tools that can not be used every day. They actually create a mask on the face. In good light, this is noticeable. Shelf life depends on the number of preservatives.
- Anti-aging. Not only mask flaws, but also contain additional nourishing, moisturizing and regenerating components. They rarely spoil, as they are sold in tiny tubes, so women manage to use all the means.
- Liquid cream. Classic, very comfortable. They represent a good environment for the reproduction of bacteria.
- Mousses. It is hard to shade, but creates a stunning effect of matte skin.
- Stykovye. Very comfortable, in a tube (like lipstick).
- Foundation with additional effects (BB, CC, and DD series).
Packing Information
The shelf life of the foundation is indicated on the label, on the seam of the tube or on the bottle as a set of numbers. One must be able to find this information and correctly decipher it. The thing is that any cosmetics has two terms, when it can be used, before and after opening. The shelf life of the foundation can be 5 years from the moment it leaves the conveyor until the day the product is sent to the scrap. But after opening the packaging, this period is much shorter. Usually does not exceed 6 -18 months.
Information on the label can be indicated in various ways, for example:
- Date of manufacture (sometimes batch number) and expiration date (general).
- Production date (sometimes a batch number) and a symbol indicating the expiration date after opening (sketchy jar with an open lid and designation of the period of use, for example, 6M - 6 months, 18M - 18 months).
- The expiration date, that is, the note "use until XX / XX / XXXX year", as well as a schematic designation of the expiration date after opening.
- Batch number. In this case, you can find out all the necessary information on the official website of the manufacturer.
Example
Determine the shelf life of the foundation. On the tube it says "valid until: see packaging." On the weld, the date is 20161008. Accordingly, the tool will be valid until October 8, 2016.
There is also a symbol of “open can” and the mark “6M”. This means that the cream can be used within six months after opening.
At the time of buying
Shelf life is the most important information you need to know before buying cosmetics. If the implementation time is coming to an end, then you should not buy such a tool. It has lost most of its declared properties, so it will soon have to be thrown out.
Shelf life of popular foundation creams
Consider how much money can be stored in handbags of most Russian beauties:
- Avon Color Trend. After opening, it will last 24 months.
- Max Factor. Many girls do not know how to determine the shelf life of the Max Factor foundation. The thing is that some manufacturers try to veil this information as much as possible so that the ladies do not know, they are buying the product that they just made, or a stale product. To find out the time, you need to turn the bottle over and look at the bottom of the four-digit digital code. Next, you need to go to the specialized website for checking cosmetics, select the manufacturer (in the specific case, Max Factor). The shelf life of the foundation after opening, as well as the production date and end date of the sales period will be known.
- "Ballet 2000". It can be used within 12 months after opening. Shelf life - at the seam of the tube.
- Maybelline - BB Series. The shelf life of the Maybelline foundation after opening is 12 months. The implementation period is indicated separately.
- "Revlon 24 hours." The term for the sale of funds is 5 years from the date of production. The exact date can be found by the alphanumeric code. For example, if “Y18703D” is indicated on the bottle, this means that the foundation was produced on July 3 (03) (the seventh month) of 2018. Also on the company label you can find the information “use until ...”. Shelf life after opening is 24 months.
- “Loreal. The Perfect Radiance. ” Shelf life after opening is 16 months.
- "Bourgeois". The label indicates the end date of the sale. The shelf life of the Bourgeois foundation after opening is 12 months.
Terms of use and storage
So that the foundation does not deteriorate prematurely, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- Do not leave the product in the sun.
- The cream should not be exposed to sudden changes in temperature.
- You need to store it in a dark and cool place.
- It is advisable to remove the foundation from the jar not with your fingers, but with a special spoon. Ideal - cosmetics with dispensers. It excludes contact with fingers.
- Regularly clean the lid and screw surface from the remnants of the cream, as they quickly oxidize and spoil the rest of the product.
- Sponges, sponges and puffs should be washed and replaced regularly with new ones.