How to Tell When Makeup Has Expired

Trust your senses — expired makeup changes color, texture, or smell, and most products last 6-24 months after opening.

People hoard makeup like wine, but it's not getting better with age — when in doubt, throw it out and buy fresh.

1. Check the PAO symbol. Look for the small jar icon with a number and M (like 12M or 24M) on your product packaging. This tells you how many months the product stays good after opening. Write the opening date on products that don't have clear expiration dates.
2. Do the smell test. Fresh makeup should smell neutral or like its intended fragrance. If it smells rancid, metallic, or just off, it's time to toss it. This is especially important for cream and liquid products that can harbor bacteria.
3. Examine texture and color. Makeup that's gone bad often separates, becomes clumpy, or changes color. Foundation might look patchy, mascara gets flaky, and lipsticks can develop a white film or become grainy. Any dramatic texture change means it's expired.
4. Test the performance. Expired makeup often doesn't perform as expected — foundation won't blend smoothly, eyeshadow loses pigmentation, or mascara clumps immediately. If your makeup suddenly isn't working like it used to, check if it's past its prime.