Make up and beauty products – Facts you might find interesting.

The word ‘cosmetic’ comes from the Greek word ‘kosmos’, which means ‘of this world or worldly’.Cosmetic products have been in existence for thousands of years:
In 400 BC, greek olympic athletes covered their bodies with a ‘sunscreen’ mixture of sand and oil to protect their skin from the sun.
Use of perfume dates back to the beginning of mankind. The first perfume bottles were found in the Mediterranean in 7000 BC.
The Chinese Cho Dynasty (600 BC) used gum, egg whites, gelatine and beeswax to create nail varnish.
60% of people say cosmetics have a positive impact on their self confidence, mood, well being and image.
33 % of women find it hard to live without foundation or concealer.
25% of men use aftershave regularly.

Lifespan of our makeup, skincare and toiletry products.

If you’ve abandoned your make up bag or grooming routine while staying at home, it’s worth remembering that the clock starts ticking on the lifespan of our makeup and beauty products from the time you start to use or open them. This means they could be out of date or harboring some not-so-welcome extra ingredients when you’re ready to use them again!

We really dislike throwing away a favorite product – especially if we might have paid a lot of money for it, so how do you know if you should be binning a beauty or skincare product?

Here are a few things to look out for:

If something begins to feel itchy or tingly on your skin when it isn’t supposed to, or it didn’t feel that way before, rinse it off immediately and throw it away.
If something has a ‘rancid’ smell or the aroma has changed.
If the colour has changed – particularly with products that contain vitamins.
Is the consistency is different? A lipstick or eyeliner pencil may become hard or a foundation may have an oily, greasy film.
A good rule to follow is that the closer a product comes to your eyes or the more moisture it has, then the shorter the lifespan will be after it’s been opened.
So, how long do products last after opening?
Here is a list of the recommended lifespan of our most popular health and beauty products after opening ………. you might be surprised!

Liquid foundations – around 1 year.

Powder foundations 2-3 years – unless they get a greasy film or become contaminated from other products or dirty brushes.

Concealer – around 1 year.

Cream blusher – 12-18 months.

Powder blusher – 2-3 years.

Liquid eyeliner – around 3 months.

Pencil eyeliner – 6-12 months.

Gel eyeliner – 2 months as it easily traps bacteria.

Mascara – 3 months or when it clogs or dries (remember – don’t ‘pump’ the wand).

Eyeshadow – 6-12 months.

Lip gloss – 1 year.

Lipstick – 2 years.

Perfume/Aftershave 8-10 years. (Maximise the shelf life of your perfumes by keeping them out of direct sunlight. Some brands suggest storing them in the fridge).

Cleanser – 1 year.

Toner – 6-12 months.

Eye cream – 1 year.

Moisturiser/Serum – 6-12 months.

Lip balm -12 months.

Sunscreen – 3 years – more on this below.

Body lotion – 2 years.

Bath oil – 1 year.

Body wash – 3 years.

Shaving cream – 2 years.

Hair gel – 2-3 years.

Deodorant – 1-2 years.

Makeup sponge – 1 month.
Sunscreen can last for up 3 years BUT that depends on the absolute correct storage after opening. The crucial protective ingredients can spoil over time so the product becomes less effective, leaving you at risk of serious sun damage and the health implications that go with that. It’s better to be safe than sorry and purchase a new sunscreen every season because it’s just not worth taking any risks when it comes to the sun and your skin.

With these facts in mind, maybe this is the ideal time to refresh your toiletry bag and treat yourself to some lovely new products?

Tips to keep your makeup and products hygienic and lasting as long as possible:
1 Take your makeup and skincare products out of the bathroom. Humidity, together with rapid changes in temperature are detrimental to the lifespan and condition of your products. Also, be aware of how the climate your products are in affects their shelf life.
2 Store them in a cool, dark place, and avoid direct sunlight.
3 Wash your hands before applying products.
4 If a product comes in a jar or pot, ideally use a spatula or cotton bud to scoop it out instead of using your fingers.
5 Cleaning your brushes and applicators regularly will help avoid contaminating your makeup with bacteria and will also prolong the life of that product. There are special brush cleaners on the market or just use a gentle shampoo and leave your brushes to air dry.
6 Don’t share your makeup or beauty products.
7 Replace and tighten the tops and lids on your products.
8 Throw away and replace eye products after you’ve had an eye infection.
9 Avoid ‘pumping’ your mascara brush to prevent extra air getting into the tube, which provides a breeding ground for germs.
I hope you’ve found this useful.

If you need any make up, product or skincare advice, let me know if I can help.