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The life of cosmetics: terms, storage conditions and rules of use
Every girl’s best friend is her makeup bag. But so that from a faithful friend it does not turn into a bitter enemy, it is necessary from time to time to revise its contents.
The shelf life is not only for products, but also for cosmetics. And the use of expired creams, mascaras, lipsticks is not at all harmless. Allergic dermatitis is a common skin reaction to an expired cream or lipstick. Is beauty and health worth risking? In order not to become a victim of your own carelessness, you must comply with the terms specified by the manufacturer. At the same time, it is important to understand that the expiration date indicated on the packaging guarantees the safety of cosmetics only in a sealed form. Once the original packaging is opened, the shelf life is significantly reduced.
The “full life” of modern creams is on average 2-3 years in a sealed package and about a year after opening. But they retain their usefulness only if stored correctly. Creams do not like:
- damp rooms (therefore, do not keep them in bathrooms);
- direct sunlight (it is better to store them in bedside tables, cabinets or special boxes for cosmetics);
- too low and high temperatures (so you don’t need to buy them on the street from trays, where they freeze in winter and fry in the sun in summer).
When choosing a cream, remember – the wider the neck of the jar, the shorter its shelf life after opening. Cream in a tube or bottle with a dispenser is preferred. Indeed, in this case, its interaction with air is minimal, which means that it will be less oxidized. If you bought a cream in a jar, do not throw out the “gasket” made of paper, foil, or polyethylene. This is an additional barrier to bacteria and air – the enemies of the cream. In no case do not use the cream at the slightest suspicion of its spoilage. This is evidenced by several factors: changed smell, color, consistency. Throw it away without regret, otherwise you risk getting inflammatory or allergic skin reactions. Tanning products are best used in one season. And even if more than half of the cream remains in the tube, do not store it until next summer: you will not get the expected effect from it, since the effectiveness of solar filters decreases sharply over time.
Not everyone gets long thick eyelashes from birth. But do not worry about this. You can easily make up for this flaw in nature with the help of a magic wand – mascara. She is in the women’s arsenal of beauty – an irreplaceable thing. True, provided that you use only high-quality mascara, which not only colors and lengthens the eyelashes, but does not crumble during the day and does not irritate the mucous membranes of the eyes. And in order to avoid these flaws, you need to monitor the expiration date. If the manufacturer releases the carcasses for 2–3 years of full life in their original packaging, then after opening it, the life of the “magic wand” is reduced to 4–6 months. Many people are tempted to dilute the mascara with water when drying. It is absolutely impossible to do this! In addition to the fact that mascara reanimated in this way will not give the expected effect, it can also cause serious eye inflammation.
Of the entire arsenal of cosmetic bags, this “lady” is perhaps the most popular and often used. We use her services in the morning, going to work, as well as after each tea drinking, after lunch, before leaving work, etc. Moreover, as a rule, we have several tubes at once in use (for different shades, outfits, etc.). But lipstick is as popular as it can be. Indeed, unlike other cosmetics, it enters not only our lips, but also into the stomach. And the greatest danger is posed by an expired product. In order not to harm your health, you must remember that high-quality lipstick can be stored for up to 3 years. But as soon as you open the cap and put lipstick on your lips, her life is shortened immediately to 4 months (when stored in the cold – up to six months). Lipstick does not tolerate heat and sun at all – they are destructive for her. Therefore, as soon as you notice that the lipstick has softened somewhat, exudes a not very pleasant aroma – throw it away so as not to become a victim of your own excessive frugality.
Powder, blush, shadow (dry)
Since this cosmetics lacks a fatty base, its shelf life is higher than, for example, a cream. After opening the package, you can use them to induce beauty within one and a half to two years. But do not forget that powder, blush and shadows are very vulnerable in a humid environment, and also do not like light and high temperatures. In order for them to serve you faithfully throughout the allotted period, do not forget to regularly wash the brushes with which you apply them. It is generally not worth applying these products with your fingers, as excess dirt and bacteria are brought in with your hands. If you notice a change in aroma, and when applied, the products fall in an uneven layer – throw them away without hesitation. They are unlikely to add freshness to your image.
These are real long-livers in the world of cosmetics. You can use them for the entire period set by the manufacturer, which is 2-3 years. In addition, modern perfume bottles are equipped with a spray. This prevents air from entering and lengthens the service life. The main thing is to store your favorite perfume in a tightly closed bottle, in a cool, dark place, to protect it from heat and direct sunlight. After all, it is the sun’s rays and the open air that are the real enemies of aromatic oils and other perfume compositions.
Do not seek to buy mascara, powder, cream, perfume for future use, even if they are sold at a good discount. Remember the timing. And not only about those indicated on the packaging, but also those during which you will use these funds. Indeed, more often than not, goods are put up for sale, the shelf life of which is coming to an end. And it is quite possible that when you decide to use your “strategic reserves”, they will no longer be usable. Remember – the shorter the shelf life of cosmetics, the more natural ingredients it contains, and therefore the benefits.