Most personal care products have a long shelf life when stored properly. Cosmetics that have a shelf life of less than 30 months must be marked with a best before date. However, this no longer applies once the product has been opened. For this reason, all cosmetics have been labeled with a new symbol, an opened cream jar, since March more than ten years ago. On the symbol is a number for the number of months during which the opened product can be safely used.
Storage
Whether a product has become unusable can usually be determined at first glance: If color or odor change, or components of a cream have separated, it should be discarded.
A general advice is to store cosmetics in dry and cool places. However, it does not have to be the refrigerator, because even here the cold threatens problems with emulsions (fat and water separate), powders begin to crumble and lipsticks lose their color.
Shelf life
The following are guideline values for how long cosmetic products such as self-tanners, mascaras and co. can be safely used after opening:
- Eye creams have a shelf life of only up to four months, as they contain very few preservatives to protect the eye area.
- Mascaras can be used for about three to six months after opening, but should definitely be replaced after conjunctivitis. Liquid eyeliners can be used up to eight months.
- Self-tanners should be used up after half a year at the latest, otherwise they lose their tanning effect.
- Creams and masks, whether for the face or body, have a shelf life of about a year from opening. When oil and water separate, they should be discarded.
- Foundations have a shelf life of about a year. For them, the cap should be cleaned from time to time.
- Nail polishes last about a year in the opened bottle. After that, they slowly become tough and are difficult to spread.
- Perfume keeps one to two years in cool and dark storage. Once the color of the fragrance changes, the fragrance composition is also no longer that of the original fragrance.
- Cleansing products can be used for up to 2 years without worry. For alcohol-containing toner even up to 3 years.
- Lipsticks keep well sealed up to 3 years, as well as lip glosses. Sun exposure is poison for lipsticks.
- Powder in pressed form can be used for up to five years. However, brushes or sponges should be cleaned or replaced regularly.
- Deodorants have the longest shelf life. They can be used until they dry out.
