Skincare again - Out of date products!

[Kaz]

This is just to highlight a post put on Facebook by Helena (Fruity to many of us) - she's suffered a very nasty reaction to a jar of face cream which was out of date Third degree chemical burns, needing hydrocortisone to clear it up I suppose once the air gets to this stuff, it can set up a chemical reaction over time, which is why they have a date

A reminder really, to sort through all out of date creams and make up, as not only can you have nasty reactions but old makeup can harbour bugs, and give you eye infections etc I think they say a year for mascara, or is it 6 months?

I lost my eyelashes once, through an allergy to some (very expensive) makeup, my eyelids just swelled up overnight

[Osc]

The thing is, how do you know when it is out of date? Miss Osc had me checking our sun creams before we went away in the summer, most of them say 18 months - but 18 months from when? When we bought them? When we opened them? We don't know how long they have been on the shelf. Should we mark when we open them? I just checked the stuff I use daily and only two have an understandable use-by symbol..my foundation (Clinique) says 24 months, and my body lotion (Vaseline Intensive Care) says 12 months. Also, if you open to sample or have a sniff, does that start the process?

[Rodo]

I always chuck my eye makeup away every 6 months and renew. My tinted moisturiser that I use as a foundation and my pressed powder don't last that long anyway.

[Diflower]

I'm very good with moisturiser, in that I open a pot and use it daily till it's all gone, but make-up, not quite so.
Foundation I only have two, one a bit lighter than the other, and use those up too, but probably not within 6 months.
Mostly I'm happy to use it regardless, although mascara I tend to have those little sizes that come as free gifts, so usually have a new unsealed one waiting.
Does powder eyeshadow go off? - I doubt it.

[Kaz]

I would reckon, with the powder eyeshadow, that it might depend on whether you use a brush or your fingers to apply it? Our hands have germs unless we scrub them just before we apply it I honestly had never thought of it though.

Like you Di, my moisturisers don't last long enough to go off - I use the same one morning and night (Regenerist) so a pot only lasts me about 6 weeks or so. I have some lipsticks and powder blushers that are years old I also have two foundations, the same brand, one lighter than the other, and they last a fair while - over 6 months, certainly!

[meriad]

I'm the worlds worst; I've had things on the go for ages, ie years

My daily moisturiser is tinted so that does me for the regular day to day look; but I only use foundation when I'm going out on more special occasions which means it easily lasts me over 3 years I do apply it with a brush though and wash the brush every so often (does that count?)
Eye shadows and lipsticks - easily years old
Mascara, I use until it's on the dry side and then I bin it - but I use it daily so every 6 months does sound about right, but it can be longer

Body lotions on the other hand, some have been in my cupboard for many many years; some never opened, others opened once to smell or test and that's it

[Weka]

My cupboard sounds like yours Meriad
I only throw out a cream when it seperates and a good shake doesn't re blend it. I've got aloe Vera gel that has lived in 3 countries with me.