How to tell the expirations dates on makeup, creams and toiletries
This is a great question that came through my recent Snow Day AMA over on Instagram. Makeup is tricky because it doesn’t have a specific expiration date rather lists a recommended number of months from the time of opening. Why can’t they make this easier? It reminds me of the meme that says “can’t the cereal people get with the Ziploc people already?”
Here is what it will look like on your cosmetics:
Could it BE any smaller or difficult to find? I looked through several of my cosmetics and some didn’t even have a number. Don’t worry if you run into that problem too, I’ve got a whole guide linked at the end as well as a system for how to keep track of when to replace without having to remember when the last time you did it was.
As seen above, 24M indicates twenty four months or two years from the time of opening.
Why is this important?
Old products like mascara and makeup sponges can harbor bacteria causing breakouts, redness and irritation. Efficacy of some toiletry items can also be effected. For optimal use of your products, replacing them regularly is recommended.
How I keep track of when to replace:
Automation: For items that I replace regularly (more than twice a year), I use Amazon Subscribe and Save. For example, its recommended that mascara is replaced every 3 months but I find mine gets goopy around the 6 week mark so I set my subscribe and save cadence for that interval. I don’t think about it. When a new one arrives, I just throw the old one out.
No Action: For non-amazon items, think about how often you are using them up before considering taking any action. For example, I buy primer and foundation/tinted moisturizer 2-3 times a year so I know that I don’t need to date it. I’m going to run out long before the one year mark. What I will say is that if you have a bunch that you are not using or not serving you, then I would consider tossing them and keeping only the ones you currently use.
Annual To-Do: For items like blush that I use but take FOREVER to use up, consider writing the date directly on the item with a chalk marker or sharpie. I keep one in my makeup drawer to make marking them easy. And if you don’t know when you bought it, it may be time to start fresh. I use todoist to create recurring annual to-dos like this one.
A final word: Don’t get too caught up in this. Keep it simple. If you are making an effort to go through your makeup and toiletries once a year, you are doing exceptional above average work.
While I do have systems that can help you manage things like this, systems that reduce stress, the daily grind and mental load are far more impactful. I’m looking forward to talking more about systems that support:
Daily Grind Task Delegration
Home Maintenance
Car Maintenance
Household Inventory
Calendar Management
and more!
Guide for How Often to Replace Makeup
Guide for How Often to Replace Toiletries
