14 DAY TRIAL // Women are known for their propensity to amass things, from jewelry to clothes and cosmetic products and toiletries. Despite repeated warnings from beauticians and health experts, they continue to save their prized possessions – cosmetics and toiletries – past their due date, which puts their health at considerable risk, a recent survey conducted by Mintel and cited by the Telegraph, indicates.
Most products that are used for beautification purposes come labeled with the date when they’re no longer good for use or, if not, with the symbol PAO (“Period After Opening”) and the number of months it’s still good. Most women are well aware of this, yet they rarely pay heed to these details, presumably because they buy so many of these products they forget to check their label to see when they’re no longer good. The bottom line is that only one in four women respects these dates, the survey has revealed.
In doing so, the other three are putting themselves at great risk because cosmetic products are usually perfect environments for bacteria. “It is not simply a matter of products no longer performing to optimal standards. Old make-up can be hazardous to our health. Like food, cosmetics can expire and become dangerous to use. There may be far more lurking at the bottom of your make-up bag than an old dried mascara.” Alexandra Richmond, Mintel’s senior beauty analyst, says for the Telegraph.
Products meant for the eye area in particular are very dangerous, for instance, experts say, but that doesn’t mean that lipstick or lip moisturizers are not just as hazardous. This is why, if checking for the PAO symbol is too much of a bother, we should at least remember the following: mascara is good for three to six months, blusher for 12 to 18 months, lipstick for a year and a half, foundation for half a year, eye shadow for 12 months, liquid eyeliner for three to six months, while the eye pencil can be used for up to two years. Anything beyond this is dangerous, experts say.
“These latest findings highlight a lack of information available on cosmetic use-by dates. Repeated exposure to bacteria from the mouth affects lip color cosmetics, while out-of-date mascara and eye pencils can raise the risk of infections. Natural and organic products containing fewer or no preservatives have a shorter shelf-life than conventional products and therefore potentially harbor higher levels of bacteria.” Richmond adds for the same publication.