How long should you keep eye makeup?

How long should you keep your eye makeup? Cosmetics, like most products, are not eternal. If there is no clearly indicated expiration date, there must be a PAO (period after opening) or a best-before date. This is an indication, and it doesn't mean you should throw away all your makeup products as soon as the period is exceeded. However, it's important to be very careful, especially with eye makeup products. These are very fragile, as is the skin around them. Therefore, it is necessary to take some precautions, remove makeup very carefully every evening, and not forget to regularly clean the accessories used. Indications on packaging Cosmetic manufacturers are obliged to indicate a use-by date after opening on their various products. They thus comply with a European Union rule in force since March 2005. Two indications may be present on eye makeup products. The DDM or DLUO If the manufacturer estimates that the product should be used within 30 months of opening, they must indicate a minimum durability date (DDM) or a best-before date (DLUO) on the packaging. You can still see this "expiration" date on packaging, indicated by "best before...". This is an indication. Products should not be automatically thrown away as soon as this date is passed. The PAO (Period After Opening) When the manufacturer estimates that a makeup product has a shelf life of more than 30 months, the DLUO is not mandatory. However, this shelf life indication is replaced by a period after opening or PAO. It indicates how long the product can be used while retaining its properties after its first opening. This duration is represented by an open jar pictogram accompanied by a number and the letter M. Thus, for 6M, the product should be used within six months of opening. Again, these are indications. It's not about obligatorily throwing away this product after six months of use. But, after this period, it may lose some of its properties and the manufacturer no longer guarantees its optimal effectiveness. An unopened eye makeup product can be stored for approximately two to three years if stored optimally. A trick to remember product opening dates It's rare to remember the date a mascara or eyeshadow was first opened. To avoid errors or forgetfulness, simply stick a label with the date of first use. Writing it with a marker also works very well. Eye makeup shelf life Eye makeup contains pigments but also active ingredients. The formula can quickly turn into a favorable breeding ground for bacteria. Water-based products deteriorate much faster than oil-based or other fatty-based formulas. In all cases, it is important to store eye cosmetics under optimal conditions. Mascaras Mascaras last for about three to six months. Mascara is one of the eye makeup products that deteriorates the fastest. As it is applied to the delicate area around the eyes, very close to the mucous membranes, no risks should be taken. Eyeliners The same applies to eyeliner used very close to the eye. If it is a liquid eyeliner, the shelf life is generally less than six months. For a felt-tip or pen-style eyeliner, the shelf life does not exceed three to four months. After this period, it risks drying out. Pot versions last longer, up to nine months, if stored under good conditions. Eyeshadows Eyeshadows can be used for 12 to 18 months, just like a kohl pencil. Dry eyeshadow can be kept for up to three years maximum if unopened. Creamy or greasy ones should not be used after one year. Pencils Eye pencils can be used for one to two years. If it's hot and they are not stored in an insulated box, place them in the refrigerator between uses. This is the best solution to prevent them from deteriorating too quickly. Concealers Concealers can be kept for a maximum of one year. Beyond this period, the texture will change, become greasier, and the properties will decrease. Makeup removers and micellar waters With makeup removers or micellar waters, the problem of shelf life arises less often. Generally, they are used up quickly. On average, a milk, a makeup remover gel, or a micellar water lasts for 12 months. All these indications are valid when the products are stored under optimal conditions. How to properly store eye makeup products Water-based eye makeup products do not last as long. Germs and bacteria proliferate more quickly in an aqueous environment. Even if eye makeup is generally stored in the bathroom, this is a mistake. This room is humid, subject to frequent temperature variations... These are bad conditions for storing makeup. It should be kept in a cool, dark environment. To still keep your makeup products within reach in the bathroom, simply use an airtight refrigerated box or at least an insulated one. Water-based products are very sensitive and should be particularly monitored. It is important to apply eye makeup with clean hands and accessories. Containers must be carefully reclosed after each use. Avoid lending your mascara, eyeshadow, or any other cosmetic intended for eye makeup. Unmistakable signs If in doubt and if you have forgotten to indicate the date of first use of your eye makeup products, certain signs should alert you. If the smell of mascara, eyeshadow primer, or eyeshadow changes, it's high time to permanently get rid of the product. Similarly, if the texture becomes thicker or more liquid, it's better to throw away the cosmetic. A dry, thick, clumpy mascara should no longer be used. Do the same when the color changes. Taking care of accessories If eye makeup products must be thrown away after a certain period, it is also essential to take care of the brushes and sponges used daily. They too can turn into breeding grounds for bacteria. Brushes used for eyeshadow, concealer, or eyeshadow primer should be carefully cleaned several times a week. If you change color, brushes should be washed after each use. You can simply use lukewarm water and Marseille soap. Put a little soap in the palm of your hand (previously washed), wet the brush, and gently rub it on the soap. Repeat the operation until the water is clear. Rinse with lukewarm water, gently squeeze it in a clean towel, and let it dry flat after reshaping the bristles. Synthetic bristles dry faster than animal hair bristles. Proper makeup removal Even when using very high-quality eye makeup, vegan and organic like Le Rouge Français cosmetics, it is essential to remove makeup properly. This fragile area around the eyes needs special care. Whether the skin is oily, dry, or atopic, it must be cleansed specifically. The skin around the eyes is four to five times thinner than that of the rest of the face and does not contain sebaceous glands. Its natural protection is therefore less effective. Eliminating impurities and makeup at the end of the day is essential. Movements must be gentle and simple. It is possible to use fingers or a washable and reusable fabric cotton pad. Its texture must be very soft. For finger makeup removal, milk, creams, and emulsions are more practical. With micellar waters or oils, it is better to choose makeup removal with a fabric. Always choose a product that respects the skin's pH and the lacrimal pH. It must be alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and suitable for the skin type. It must also be effective on all types of makeup, whether light, full-coverage, classic, or waterproof. In all cases, wash your hands before removing makeup. Generously soak the cotton pad with makeup remover and place it for several seconds on the closed eye. Then gently slide it from the inside to the outside of the eye, then from bottom to top in circular motions. For mascara, pass the cotton pad from the root to the tip of the eyelashes. Repeat the operation until the cotton pad is perfectly clean. For finger makeup removal, also start by carefully washing your hands. Put a dab of makeup remover on your fingers and apply it around the eyes in circles. To remove mascara, pass the eyelashes between your fingers, sliding from roots to tips without pulling. Risks of using expired eye makeup There are real risks that can range from a simple skin reaction to conjunctivitis, eczema, or even an infection. The eyes and the skin around them are particularly fragile. Using an expired product can lead to pain, inflammation, infections, a stye... Where to dispose of expired cosmetics? When eye makeup products are not fully used but are potentially dangerous, it is necessary to dispose of them in the right place. To know how to sort them, it all depends on their composition. Plastic bottles should be thrown into the yellow recycling bin, with the packaging. Glass bottles are thrown into the glass bin. Aluminum containers also go into the yellow bin for packaging. When containers are equipped with a pump or a cap, they must first be removed and thrown into the household waste bin. As far as possible, the contents should be thrown into the household waste bin. At Le Rouge Français, containers are reusable. The packaging lines are custom-made to allow for very long-term use. Each part of the containers is strictly 100% recyclable. Most often, they are made from noble materials such as glass or are bio-sourced like castor oil. The best master glassmakers design this custom packaging. The high purity of the raw materials guarantees infinite recyclability without any loss of quality or transparency.