So...You've Been Using Expired Makeup. Now What?

How to tell what's safe, what's risky, and what to toss. This goes beyond expiration dates.

When The New York Times Wirecutter says most of us are using expired makeup, it confirms something we've known for years: People aren't careless, they're under-informed.

The truth is, expiration dates in beauty aren't as clear-cut as we've been led to believe. And yet, most of us are still relying on a tiny jar symbol or a vague number printed on packaging to decide what goes on our face. That’s exactly why we built Glou tools and guides, like the Toss or Keep Checker, for the beauty community. Because guessing isn’t a strategy.

So let's get into what actually matters, what doesn't, and how to stop guessing.

Expiration Dates Aren't the Full Story

If you've ever flipped over a product and seen "12M" or "24M," you're looking at the PAO (Period After Opening) symbol. It's meant to tell you how long a product is supposed to last after opening.

But here's the problem:

• It assumes "average" usage

• It doesn't account for storage conditions

• It ignores how formulas actually behave over time

In reality, two people can use the exact same product, and have completely different outcomes.

One keeps it in a cool, dry drawer. The other leaves it pen in a humid bathroom.

Same product. Very different risk.

What Actually Determines If Makeup Is Safe

Instead of focusing only on expiration labels, you need to look at the factors that actually impact product safety:

1. Formula Type

   • Powders (like blush, bronzer, eyeshadow) are generally more stable.

   • Liquids and creams (foundation, concealer) are higher risk of bacterial growth.

   • Mascara and liquid eyeliner are highest risk due to proximity to eyes.

     
     

2. Exposure to Air and Bacteria

   • Every time you dip a wand or brush into a beauty product, you introduce bacteria. Over time, that builds up, especially in liquid formulas.

     
     

3. Storage Conditions

   • Heat, light, and humidity accelerate breakdown.

   • That "clean girl aesthetic" bathroom shelf is not doing your products any favors!

     
     

4. Time Since Opening (Not Purchase)

   • Let's be honest, most people (us included!) don't track this, and that's where things go wrong. A product sitting unopened for a year is very different from one opened yesterday. Ugh!

If you take one thing from this post, let it be this: Some products are simply not worth pushing past their limit: mascara, liquid eyeliner, and cream products used around the eyes. When in doubt, replace them.

Related posts:

The Truth About Expired Makeup & Their Shelf Life

Is Your Lip Pencil Expired? How to Tell with Sharpenable Makeup

The Real Problem: Guessing

Truth be told, most people don't actually know if their makeup is expired. They:

• Smell it

• Look at it

• Or just...hope for the best

That's not a system. That's a gamble! And when it comes to our skin (and especially our eyes), that's not a great strategy.

A Better Way to Check Your Products

This is exacty why we built Glou's tools, tips and guides—to take the guesswork out of the equation. Instead of relying on vague guidelines, you can actually assess your products based on real factors.

• Toss or Keep Checker: A quick, guided tool that helps you decide if a product is still safe to use—based on formula, usage, and risk level.

• Freshness Calculator: Tracks how long a product has been open and compares it to typical safety windows.

• Batch Codes: Because sometimes the only way to know a beauty product's true age is to decode it.

• Glossary: Get clear definitions for "BNIB," "Destash," "Swatched," and all essential beauty terms.

How to Audit Your Makeup in 5-Minute

If you've never done a proper check, start here:

1. Pull everything out

   • Yes! Everything. Makeup bag, drawers, travel kits.

2. Group by Category

   • Separate powders, liquids, and eye products.

3. Check when you opened it

   • If you don't remember, that's already a signal.

4. Run it through the Toss of Keep Checker and Freshness Calculator

   • This is where the real decisions happen.

5. Separate keep vs toss

   • No "maybe" pile.

   • STOP! Before you say goodbye to beauty products and send them to landfill, reduce your environment impact with this Beauty Products Disposal Guide.

Related post: Your Ultimate Beauty Declutter Guide and Tips

The Conversation Is Finally Catching Up. Now It's Time To Act On It. What Are You Waiting For?

Mainstream coverage is finally acknowledging what's been quietly happening for years. We're all using products longer than we probably should.

But awareness alone isn't enough. What matters is what you do next.

The goal isn't to throw everything away. It's to make smarter, more informed decisions about what you keep.

Before you use it, check it!