How To Tell If Your Lipstick Is Expired

Many of us have a collection of makeup products that we love, including CC creams, primers, and eye shadow palettes. However, due to the pandemic and the need to wear masks, we have been wearing less makeup. Despite this, we have held on to our favorite beauty products, including our lipsticks, in anticipation of a time when we can show more of our faces. However, it’s important to note that if your lipstick has been sitting in your collection for a long time, it’s probably time to throw it out. This is especially true since it has been about two years since they were likely last used. It doesn’t matter how expensive or beautiful your lipstick is, it’s important to make sure that it’s still safe to use, according to MyGlamm.

For many people, remembering exactly when they purchased their makeup can be difficult. If you don’t remember when you purchased your last tube of lipstick, there are other ways to tell if it has expired.

Ways to tell your lipstick has expired

Before you even open your lipstick, you may be able to tell it’s expired. If it appears as though there are moisture droplets on it, your lipstick is probably too old to use. “The sweating observed in lipsticks is most likely oils from the formula slowly coming out,” L’Oréal Associate Principal Chemist Roselin Rosario told Makeup. This is a sign that the lipstick composition has changed.

If your lipstick appears flaky or dry, it may be a sign that it’s time to replace it. Such a texture could make your lips flaky as well. Additionally, if you notice that your lipstick has become tacky, sticky, or oily, it is probably expired, according to NewsNCR. In such cases, it is best to replace it with a new stick.

Other signs your lipstick has expired may surprise you. Have you ever smelled a tube of lipstick? It’s usually quite pleasant, but if you notice a sour or rancid smell, your stick has gone wrong (via MyGlamm). In addition, a lipstick’s color can reveal whether or not it is still fresh. If it becomes faded or discolored, your lipstick is too old for use.

The dangers of expired makeup

Using expired lipstick may not seem like a big deal, but you could be setting yourself up for health problems if you do. Expired lipsticks carry bacteria and irritants that can cause everything from itching in and around the mouth to anemia and even breast tumors (via Times of India).

Lipsticks contain lanolin, an oily substance obtained from sheep’s wool. This substance absorbs dust, bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants, which can be harmful to our health when ingested. Although we swallow some of it unknowingly when we eat or drink with lipstick on, lanolin can be dangerous if ingested in large quantities, as it can lead to health problems like diarrhea, vomiting, and skin rashes. Mount Sinai advises caution against consuming large amounts of lanolin to prevent lanolin poisoning.

If you’re looking for ways to extend the life of your favorite shade of lipstick, there are tips to consider. To keep your lipsticks fresh, consider keeping your makeup in a small refrigerator (via Good Housekeeping) because lipsticks expire faster when they are in a warm environment. The next time you go to apply makeup, consider how long you’ve had it and notice if there have been any changes in consistency or color. If anything seems off, permit yourself to go shopping.