How To Tell If Your Lip Gloss Is Expired

Acquiring new beauty products is always an exciting experience, but it is important to ensure that you are using them up as quickly as you should. When you tidy up your vanity space, you may come across products that you haven’t used in a while, such as a lip gloss. At this point, you may be wondering if these old products are still safe to use. Normally, lip gloss is expected to last for about a year depending on how and where it is stored. However, this may not always be the case as the liquid consistency of gloss means that it may sometimes go bad much quicker than other lip products.

If you are unsure about a long-forgotten lip gloss, begin by sniffing it. This is an easy way to tell if the product has expired. When you first got the lip gloss, it probably had a sweet scent like flowers or something candy-like. If this smell is no longer there or smells foul, that’s a telltale sign that it is time to toss it out. As makeup artist Ellen Malone explains on Quora, lip products like lip gloss and lipstick must be highly hygienic. However, smell is just one of the factors that can determine whether or not a gloss is still good to use. Here are some other indicators.

Lack of smooth texture

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Lip gloss should smoothly glide onto your lips due to its slick and smooth texture. Although there are various types of lip glosses that may differ in consistency, they typically tend to be thicker than lipsticks. The defining characteristic of lip gloss is the polished and silky finish it provides. Its thick and sticky texture is what gives it shine and that consistency should be consistent every time you use a lip gloss. If you find that the texture is no longer detectable, it could be an indication that the lip gloss has expired.

When lip gloss has gone wrong, its texture may go from smooth to sticky, watery, or extra-thick and hardened (via Kaja Beauty). During application, you might also notice that the gloss is dripping, dragging, or becoming more difficult to put on because of these texture changes, making it harder for the product to glide the way it usually should. When this happens, it is best to get rid of the lip gloss rather than trying to fix it by adding more water into the tube. Spiking makeup products with water can add more bacteria to the mix, which is the last thing you want (via The Ohio State University).

Change in color or appearance

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Lip gloss is known for its shiny appearance. Nowadays, it is available in various tints and colors. Although the color of lip gloss is not as strong as that of lipstick, it still appears subtle. Make sure to check the color of the gloss in its tube before applying it to your lips. This will help you get a better idea of how the gloss will look.

Like many other lip products, changes in your lip gloss’s color or appearance may be another indicator that it has expired. The color may have gone darker, or the gloss may look foggy. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Tsippora Shainhouse, M.D., F.A.A.D., tells Dermstore that this usually happens to products like lipstick as they get exposed to bacteria, oxygen, and oils over time. Worse, bacteria in makeup can also impact your health (via Forbes).

According to Dr. Shainhouse, if you have had your lip gloss or lipstick for a long time and have used it frequently, you’ll want to toss it out for a new one every 6 to 12 months. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry. So, it’s always a good idea to avoid caution when you suspect that your lip gloss or other lip products may have expired.