SKINCARE ROUTINES

Beauty Product Expiration Dates: When to Toss Old Makeup and Skincare

That mascara from 2022 is not your friend. Here's how to read expiration symbols, spot gone-bad products, and know exactly when to toss.

Beauty Match AI•October 2026•7 min read

Makeup and skincare don't last forever. Using expired products can cause breakouts, eye infections, and irritated skin, and expired actives simply stop working. The problem is that most people never learn how to read expiration symbols or track how long they've owned a product. This guide gives you the shelf life of every common beauty product, how to read the period-after-opening symbol, and the signs a product has gone bad.

How to Read the Period-After-Opening Symbol

Most beauty products feature a small open-jar symbol with a number and the letter M, like 12M. That number is the number of months the product is safe to use after you first open it. This is called the Period After Opening (PAO). Once that window passes, the preservatives degrade and bacteria can grow, even if the product looks fine.

Unopened products have a separate shelf life, often printed as an hourglass symbol or an expiration date. Once opened, the PAO takes over.

How Long Common Products Last (Once Opened)

Eyes

Eye Products

  • Mascara: 3 to 6 months (toss sooner if it dries or smells off)
  • Liquid eyeliner: 3 to 6 months
  • Pencil eyeliner: 1 to 2 years (sharpen regularly)
  • Cream eyeshadow: 6 to 12 months
  • Powder eyeshadow: 1 to 2 years
Face

Complexion Products

  • Liquid foundation: 6 to 12 months
  • Powder foundation: 1 to 2 years
  • Concealer: 6 to 12 months (12 to 24 months for stick)
  • BB/CC cream: 6 to 12 months
  • Setting powder: 1 to 2 years
  • Blush/bronzer (powder): 1 to 2 years; cream: 6 to 12 months
Lips

Lip Products

  • Lipstick: 1 to 2 years
  • Lip gloss: 6 to 12 months
  • Lip liner (pencil): 1 to 2 years
  • Liquid lipstick: 6 to 12 months
Skincare

Skincare Products

  • Cleanser: 12 months
  • Moisturizer: 6 to 12 months
  • Vitamin C serum: 3 to 6 months (watch for darkening)
  • Retinol: 6 to 12 months
  • Sunscreen: follow the printed expiration date; usually 1 to 3 years unopened, 6 to 12 months opened
  • Sheet masks: use by printed date

Signs a Product Has Gone Bad

Even before the PAO expires, products can spoil. Toss immediately if you notice:

  • A change in smell (sour, rancid, or unusual odor).
  • Separation that won't recombine when shaken (especially in foundation and lotion).
  • A change in texture (clumpy mascara, grainy cream, hardened lipstick).
  • Discoloration (vitamin C turning dark brown means it's oxidized and inactive).
  • Mold or visible contamination.
  • Irritation, stinging, or breakouts that started after using it.

Eye products are the riskiest

Mascara and liquid eyeliner touch the most bacteria-prone area, your eyes. Never pump the wand (it pushes air and bacteria in), and replace every 3 to 6 months without exception.

How to Track Product Age

The hardest part of expiration management is remembering when you opened something. Two habits solve this:

  1. Write the open date on the product with a fine-tip marker or a small label.
  2. Keep a digital inventory that records open dates and flags products nearing their PAO.

Track your products digitally

Beauty Match AI's My Lists let you track what you own, and the Regimen Calendar helps you use products consistently so they finish before they expire. Organize my products →

Storage Tips to Extend Shelf Life

Keep products cool and dryHeat and humidity (i.e. a steamy bathroom) degrade actives and encourage bacteria. Store in a cool, dry place.
Don't pump mascaraPumping pushes air and bacteria into the tube. Twist to load the wand instead.
Tighten caps fullyAir exposure dries out and oxidizes products. Seal tightly after every use.
Avoid fingers in jarsScoop cream with a clean spatula instead of fingers to avoid introducing bacteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does mascara last once opened?
Mascara lasts 3 to 6 months once opened. Because it touches your eyes, replace it promptly if it dries out, smells off, or causes irritation. Never pump the wand, as it pushes air and bacteria into the tube.
What does the 12M symbol mean on beauty products?
The open-jar symbol with a number and M is the Period After Opening (PAO). 12M means the product is safe to use for 12 months after first opening. After that, preservatives degrade and bacteria can grow.
How do I know if a skincare product has expired?
Check the PAO symbol for the timeframe, then watch for signs: a sour or rancid smell, separation that won't recombine, a change in texture, discoloration (vitamin C turning dark brown), mold, or new irritation and breakouts.
Can I use expired foundation?
It's not recommended. Expired liquid foundation can harbor bacteria that cause breakouts and irritation, and its preservatives no longer work. Liquid foundation lasts 6 to 12 months once opened; toss it after that.
How can I track when I opened my beauty products?
Write the open date on each product with a marker or label, and keep a digital inventory that flags products nearing their period-after-opening limit. Beauty Match AI's My Lists help you track what you own and use products before they expire.
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