By Shahnaz Husain
All cosmetic products have a shelf life and should not be in use beyond that. Our Ayurvedic skin and hair care products have a shelf life of 3 years from Date of Manufacture. Our make-up cosmetics have a shelf life of 2 years, but some make-up cosmetics have shorter shelf life.
Make items may not have expiry dates, so you should know how long they last. The look and smell of the product can tell you a lot. If a moisturizer or lipstick smells rancid, it means that the oils have separated. If mascara is dry or too sticky, its time to get another one! Never add water or cream to soften it. If you have an eye infection, throw away your eyeliner, mascara and eye pencils, regardless of shelf life date. In fact, if there is eye infection, any redness or irritation, avoid using cosmetics till you have got over it.
The Shelf Life of make-up cosmetics is as follows:
Foundation: Water based foundations last for a year, while cream based foundations may last a little longer.
Powder: Loose powder can last for two to three years, but compact powder lasts for two years and may even become dry before that.
Powder blushers and shadows last for two years, while cream blushers and shadows last for about 18 months.
Mascara lasts for three to six months. Actually, the pumping action of the applicator brush of roll-on mascaras is said to make them more vulnerable to bacteria.
Eyeliners have a shelf life of two years. So do lip liners. If you use eye pencils, sharpen them regularly. This keeps you safe from contamination.
Lipsticks also last for two years, but lip gloss lasts for less time – 12 to 18 months.
As already mentioned, if there is any change in colour, look or fragrance of the product, the stability of the formulation may be affected. So stop using them.
Storing make-up, especially lipstick, is of importance. During summer, store your lipsticks in the refrigerator, in a plastic bag. When humidity and heat are not high, keep your lipsticks in a drawer. Sharpen your lip pencils regularly and always keep the lid on, so that it is protected from dust. Wash make-up brushes and applicators once a week, with warm soapy water after adding a few drops of Savlon. Rinse well with water and use a clean cloth or tissue to dry them.
About Shahnaz Husain
Shahnaz Husain, pioneer of the Ayurvedic beauty movement, heads the Shahnaz Husain Group, with a global network of franchise ventures and 375 Ayurvedic formulations. A Case Study at Harvard for Brand Creation, she is now a Harvard Subject for “Emerging Markets” She was honoured with the Padma Shri Award and is the first woman in 105 years to receive the World’s Greatest Woman Entrepreneur Award from Success, the U.S. business magazine. Indeed, Shahnaz Husain is a leading international beauty icon.
