A variety of bacteria may develop in cosmetics such as creams or foundations, which are applied using your fingers. They are not visible to the naked eye, but in the case of rapid bacterial growth, the product may change its texture, colour and smell. These bacteria are responsible for serious medical conditions such as inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract infections, and skin diseases.
How can you tell if a cosmetic is expired?
Each product should have information about the use-by date. Sometimes this is the date from the moment of opening, in which case we should write it down when we first open it using a permanent marker. If you notice that the expiry date is rubbing out, write it down yourself. If the date is illegible, check whether the cosmetic has changed its colour, texture or smell. For example, mascara should not have any lumps, and it shouldn’t be sticky. Creams and foundations shouldn’t be watery.
Cosmetics must also be stored in an appropriate way to make them last longer. It is best to keep them in their original packaging in a dark, cool, and shady place. Many products are recommended to be stored in a refrigerator. This applies in particular natural cosmetics whose shelf life is very short, and the ingredients which they are made from are very vulnerable to changing storage conditions. It is also worth remembering that cosmetics do not like moisture, so be sure prevent even the smallest amount of water getting into the packaging.