Beauty experts reveal which makeup products collect the most bacteria and warn consumers about the risks of expired cosmetics
Beauty experts have revealed that mascara and liquid eyeliner are the makeup items most likely to harbour harmful bacteria and warn that you should replace these products every three months to avoid infections.
According to beauty and wellness experts from Fresha, many people keep cosmetics long past their safe use by dates without realising. This often happens with products received as Christmas gifts or included in beauty advent calendars, as these items are not always used immediately. Because they differ from everyday makeup, they are frequently stored away and forgotten about, which makes it easy to lose track of when they were first opened.
Eye products carry the highest risk of bacterial growth
“These items may include tinted mascaras and liquid eyeliners, cream products such as face paints or eyeshadows, and bold or seasonal lip colours. These products are often only used a few times, so people tend to put them aside for later, unaware that the expiry countdown has already started once the seal is broken.”
Mascara and liquid eye products pose the highest risk, as the experts explain: “Mascara tubes are warm, moist environments that bacteria love. Each time you pull the wand out, you’re exposing the product to air and potentially introducing new microorganisms when you put it back in. Even if you’ve only used the mascara once or twice, it’s still exposed to bacteria.”
The beauty specialists explain that mascara should always be replaced every three months regardless of how much product remains. Tell-tale signs it needs binning include a change in smell, dryness, or clumping.
Lip products are easily contaminated
“Lip products come into direct contact with your mouth, making them particularly prone to contamination”, the experts say. “It’s likely that you’ve purchased a darker lip shade for a Halloween look than you’d wear normally and are planning to reuse it again this year. However, it’s not safe to do so.”
Liquid lip products like gloss need replacing every six months, while traditional lipsticks can last up to a year if stored properly. Signs of expiry include changes in texture, separation of ingredients, or an unusual smell.
Sponges and brushes harbour surprising levels of bacteria
Makeup sponges also harbour shocking amounts of bacteria. “Your makeup sponges and brushes collect not just bacteria but also dead skin cells, oil, and product residue,” the beauty experts warn. “They should be washed weekly at minimum and replaced every three months.”
Consumers often underestimate how quickly these tools become contaminated. A grimy sponge can transfer bacteria directly onto skin, potentially causing breakouts.
Foundations and cream products deteriorate faster than expected
“Foundation and cream products also deteriorate faster than you think. Liquid foundations, especially those in pump bottles, can last up to a year, but products in jars where you dip your fingers repeatedly need replacing every six months. This packaging type is very common among the face paints used for Halloween looks.”
Signs a foundation or cream product has expired include separation, change in colour, or an off smell. While using clean tools rather than fingers can extend the lifespan of these products, it’s safer to scrap any from last year and start again.
Powder products last longer but can still become unsafe
While powder products have the longest shelf life, any that were purchased this time last year still need to be thrown away. “Powder eyeshadows, blush, and bronzers contain less water, making them less hospitable to bacterial growth. These can typically last 12-24 months if kept clean and dry. However, using wet brushes or sponges on powder products creates a breeding ground for bacteria.”
Advent calendars start the expiry clock early
The experts also highlight that beauty advent calendars introduce a unique challenge. Many people open every window on the first day, or as soon as they receive it, but this unintentionally begins the Period After Opening (PAO) countdown for each product. The experts recommend opening each item only when you intend to use it. This helps ensure the product remains safe and effective for as long as possible.
For products that have already been opened, the experts advise the following:
• Store them in a cool and dry place.
• Keep lids sealed tightly to protect the formula.
• Avoid using fingers to scoop creams and use clean tools instead.
• Write the date of opening on the packaging to keep track of expiry.
Government regulations require all cosmetic products to display a PAO symbol. This is the small jar icon marked with a number and letter M, which tells consumers how many months the product remains safe to use after it has been opened. Products with a shorter shelf life will display a best before date instead.