Do you know when to replace toiletries and what makeup expiration dates to avoid?

If you have a tube (definitely expired!) mascara in your makeup bag that has been there for more than a year, raise your hand. What about lipsticks you’ve been using for over a decade? It’s easy to forget to clean out your makeup stash and leave behind toiletries, hair care products, and medication that have expired. It’s a common mistake that we all make, but it’s time for us to change.

Why you should toss old care products

All of those old-their-prime products can take up valuable space in your makeup bag or medicine cabinet. Old makeup and tools can cause eye and skin irritations and even lead to severe skin problems. In fact, a recent UK study found that 90 percent of beauty products–particularly sponge makeup blenders–are riddled with potentially “deadly superbugs,” including E.coli and Staphylococci. These bacteria, which thrive in moist environments (aka lipstick tubes and makeup sponges), can cause skin infections and even blood poisoning. And when you think about what these things are touching–going from your fingers, to your face/mouth/eyes/pimples, and back to the product again–it’s easy to see why it’s dangerous to keep them for so long.

How do I find the expiration date?

This is why you must know what products to toss and when. It’s difficult to determine a product’s expiration dates. This is because it’s not as easy as for food products which have a “sell by” and “best before” date. Some products don’t have an expiration date, which makes matters even more confusing. Here’s a breakdown of each makeup and toiletry expiration date. Never again will you use germ-ridden makeup sponges or brow wands, sunscreen, or eye cream. (Promise?)

What Makeup Expiration Dates Are Important To Know

This list shows the shelf life of each cream, pencil, and powder you have, so that you can know when to get some new stuff.

Chart and dates for makeup expiration (mascara eyeliner, foundation and more)

• Concealer: One year
• Cream blush: One year
• Three months of eyeliner
• Two years of eyeliner pencil
• Eyeshadows: One year
• Foundation: One year
• Lip balm: One to five years
• Lip gloss: One year
• Lipstick: Two years
• Three months of liquid eyeliner
• Mascara: Three months
• Nail polish: One year
• Two years for powder blush

How often you should change and toss all toiletries

You should also sort through your toiletries. Are you able to remember the length of time you have had this shampoo bottle? You probably don’t. This checklist will give you a fresh start for your bathroom cabinets.

• Bar soap: 18-months to three years
• Bath oil: One year
• Depilatories and body bleaches: 6 months
• Two years for body lotion
• Body wash: Three years
• Deodorant: One to Two Years
• Disposable razors: Every five to seven shavings
• Eye cream: One year
• Two years of face cream
• Hairbrush: One year
• Hair gel: 2 to 3 years
• Hair spray: Two to three years
• Loofah: six months
• One month as a makeup sponge
• Check the label for medication
• Three years after the date of manufacture for mouthwash
• Nail polish remover: indefinitely
• Perfume lasts one to two years
• Conditioner and shampoo: Two to three years
• Shaving cream: Two years
• Sunscreen: Three years
• Toothbrush: Three months
• Tooth-whitening strips: 13 months

You can prevent makeup-borne germs from getting on your skin even before it expires. Make sure to clean your favorite makeup tools, such as brushes, at least once a week.