What is the actual shelf life of eye shadows: dispelling the myth

What do we get as a result of expired eye shadows?

They lose their decorative abilities. Glitter eyeshadows fall off some time after application. If these are liquid shadows, then the emulsion separates and it becomes impossible to apply them evenly to the skin of the eyelids. But the loss of decorative abilities is not the biggest danger of delay.

The components of any shadows, albeit in small quantities, are organic substances, which over time harbor bacteria that are dangerous to the body. Once the eyeshadows have been printed, they already have a non-sterile environment. Air enters them, and with it bacteria and microorganisms. Once inside, they try to actively reproduce, and when the expiration date expires, their reproduction enters a more active stage and, as a rule, ends with the development of pathogenic bacteria.

Laboratory studies have shown that the most common bacteria that were found in the shadows are streptococcus, staphylococcus, adenovirus and E. coli, infectious agents that cause allergies.

It is worth noting that delay carries a health hazard.

The danger is that the epidermis absorbs cosmetic emulsion like a sponge and is the first to take damage. As a result, inflammation of the dermis of the eyelids occurs. And when the shadows fall off, they get into the eyes, irritating their mucous membrane.

Storage rules

Compliance with certain conditions will increase the shelf life and use. Before applying makeup, hands and spatulas are treated with an alcohol solution, brushes and sponges must be washed and dried. These simple rules will prevent germs and toxins from getting inside the packaging and extend the life of use.

What is the danger of expired shadows?

Using eye shadow after the expiration date is just as dangerous as eating expired food. Shadows, like all types of cosmetics, have their own service life, which is guaranteed by the manufacturer. But it happens that it is difficult to determine by color, smell, consistency whether the expiration date has passed and nothing alarms us. However, what type do they acquire and what happens to the shadows after the expiration date:

• The acid-base balance is disturbed (if these are liquid shadows).
• The active components of the shadows are destroyed.
• The emulsion separates (liquid shadows).
• The period of durability on the skin is reduced.
• The worst thing is that bacteria develop in shadows that have expired.

Does he exist?

Any product has an expiration date, eye shadow is no exception.

Standardization is the reason that in our country regulatory documents regulating the requirements for decorative cosmetics have been reissued several times: shelf life, time of use.

Now there is a standard according to which the suitability of each type of product is established by the manufacturer. Information is brought to the attention of the consumer through product labeling.

There is a generally accepted period of storage and use of decorative products based on their basis. Cosmetic eye shadows are produced from fatty (cream) components, water-emulsion, mineral (natural), and dry components. The length of the shelf life depends on this variety:

• the longest period of time for use with dry compact shadows is 2-3 years;
• The base of natural cosmetics is titanium dioxide, it is stored for 1.5 years;
• the fat base is suitable for use for 1 year;
• Aqueous derivatives are stored even less.

If the packaging contains data on the year and month, therefore, the last day of use is considered to be the 30-31st day of the specified month. Of course, the next day the cosmetics will not acquire toxic properties, but for safety reasons it is better not to use them.

The period of consumption of makeup products is short, so purchasing them in the last days or for future use is uneconomical and ineffective.

Increasing the shelf life of cosmetics

To prevent eye shadows from deteriorating during their shelf life, follow important rules for storage and use:

• Keep cosmetics in a place where there is no direct sunlight, moisture, or sudden temperature changes. Most modern eyelid products are perfectly preserved in room conditions;
• Do not throw away the paper or layer of polyethylene that can be found under the lid of a new product: this is additional protection for the shadows from germs and air;
• Even if the manufacturer allows applying cosmetics to the eyelids with your fingers, it is better to do this with special devices: a brush, a brush, a sponge. This way you will not introduce germs into the product. If you are used to applying makeup with your fingertips, make sure that your hands are always clean;
• Wash brushes and sponges regularly with soap and air dry;
• Do not dilute the shadows with water, much less saliva;
• Do not let others use your cosmetics;
• If you drop a package of product on the floor, be sure to wipe it with a cotton pad soaked in alcohol;
• Buy eyeshadow only in specialized stores. This way you will receive a guarantee that the product was stored in compliance with the necessary conditions.

Now you know everything you need to know about eye shadow and its safe use and proper storage. Be always beautiful and desirable with MakeupLine.ru

Why is the quality of cosmetics decreasing?

Even modern, expensive eye shadows begin to deteriorate over time. An open product is constantly in contact with a non-sterile environment in which many viruses and microbes live. The quality of the shadows is reduced even if a special applicator is used.

In addition, the reaction of the product with air leads to oxidation and disruption of the activity of some components.

The shelf life of the product is also affected by its packaging. The wider its neck, the faster the cosmetics lose their quality and effect. For example, liquid eye shadow in a tube is more protected from contact with air, fingers, and pathogens.

Selection of shadows based on a woman’s color type

Conventionally, all persons can be divided into 4 types:

• "Winter". Girls of this color type have light skin, dark hair, blue or brown eyes. If you fit this color palette in appearance, then it is best for you to abandon chocolate and coffee shadows, replacing them with plum and blue (all cool shades). Light beige and pink pastels will do.
• "Autumn". These girls include those with bright red hair, eyebrows and long eyelashes. The girl’s “autumn” type eyes are brown, her eyelashes are very long. Ideal shadows would be peach and almond. You can experiment with purple and gold.
• "Summer". Albino people, as well as anyone with light skin and hair, fit into this category. Ladies with blue, green and brown eyes can safely use gray, purple shades, bronze and gold in everyday makeup. You can add a little pink to blue eyes, and its dark counterpart to light green eyes.

• "Spring". These ladies include girls with fair skin, dark hair, blue or green eyes with short lashes. You can use peach, green and brown shadows. If you like blue, try applying it, but don't overdo it.

Is it possible to use cosmetics after the expiration date?

For me the answer is obvious - no!

I will never use expired face or eye cream.

Previously, I could apply such creams to my heels, but now I can’t - after all, the cream has deteriorated, chemical reactions unknown to me have occurred in it, and the composition has changed. I don’t know what kind of poison could have formed there, so if the shelf life has expired, then the product goes in the trash.

The only exception for me is dry textures ala shadows and powders. I use them after the expiration date because it's absurd to throw away my Urban Decay, Too Faced, etc. palettes. Another thing is, if I use it and see that an allergic reaction has appeared, then, of course, I will throw away the palette and cry into my fist.

Expired products can cause irritation, rashes, terrible acne, allergic dermatitis, herpes, and give you subcutaneous mites and conjunctivitis. Plus, there is no telling how your health will react to such disrespect. Especially the thyroid gland, which suffers even from normal cosmetics.

My advice to you is to throw away everything that is expired! Buy yourself another cream, don’t take that risk!

And keep records if you have a lot of cosmetics. Keep a simple notebook in which you note the expiration date, expiration date, and when the product was opened. This will help you avoid those moments when you need to throw away your favorite expensive cream because you saved it too much and its shelf life has expired.

Can I use expired ones?

To avoid health problems, using a cosmetic product after the expiration date is prohibited.
Opened containers interact with the external environment, where bacteria and toxins live. After the end of the permissible period of use, the makeup product loses its decorative and antibacterial qualities.

Important: after the expiration date, danger lies not only in cheap, but also in expensive branded products.

Once in a favorable environment, bacteria multiply and have inflammatory, allergic, toxic effects on the thin membrane of the eyelids. If it falls off and gets into the eyes, it causes inflammation of the inner membranes.

The use of expired goods is the cause of various diseases: conjunctivitis, dacryocystitis, blepharitis. In such cases, the help of a doctor is required.

How to save shadows?

It happens that the shadows begin to break, crumble and are worse applied even before the expiration date. It is important to store and use them correctly:

• It is best to leave the eyeshadow palette closed and away from sunlight.
• So that you can simply pick up the shadows on a brush, take some adhesive tape and use it to remove the top layer of the entire palette. Cosmetics will apply much better, and the color will become richer. This problem arises when, when using shadows, application is carried out with dirty brushes, the bristles of which have not been washed or are stained with another sticky product.
• Clean your makeup brushes regularly! This applies not only to shadow, but also tonal and contouring.
• After you have washed your brush, let the bristles dry. Under no circumstances should you apply shadow with a wet or damp brush, as this can lead to uneven application and damage to the palette.

Wipe your brushes with micellar water after each application of cosmetics, wash 1-2 times a week.