How long does mascara last? About two to four months after you open it; according to the FDA, manufacturers usually recommend discarding it in that window because bacteria and fungi can enter the tube each time you use the wand. Other cosmetics don't have legally required expiration dates in the U.S., so the safest approach is to replace eye products often and watch for changes in color, texture and smell.
Makeup bags have a way of collecting products long past their prime. Here's what the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and Cleveland Clinic say about how long mascara and other products last, how to tell when something has turned, and how to store them safely.
Key takeaways
- The FDA says manufacturers usually recommend tossing mascara two to four months after purchase.
- Most cosmetics have no legally required expiration date in the U.S.; sunscreen and acne treatments do.
- An open-jar symbol with a number like "6M" tells you how many months a product lasts once opened.
Why mascara has such a short life
Every time you pump the wand in and out of the tube, it can carry microbes back inside. The FDA explains that bacteria and fungi enter the product with each use, which is why "manufacturers usually recommend discarding mascara two to four months after purchase." An FDA consumer Q&A adds that "some industry experts recommend replacing mascara 3 months after purchase."
More broadly, the FDA notes that "eye-area cosmetics tend to have shorter shelf lives than other products," and warns that eye-area products can cause serious eye infections. That's why mascara deserves the strictest replacement schedule in your makeup bag.
In a 2013 study, 43 of 44 students surveyed had used makeup past its expiration date, most often mascara. Lab tests of 40 of their mascaras found Staphylococcus aureus in 79% and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 13%.
Do cosmetics have expiration dates?
Usually not by law. According to the FDA, there are no U.S. laws or regulations that require cosmetics to have specific shelf lives or expiration dates on their labels. Manufacturers are responsible for making sure their products are safe, and the FDA treats determining shelf life as part of that responsibility.
There's an important exception. Some products, "such as sunscreen products and acne treatments, are drugs under the law," and drugs are required to have expiration dates printed on their labels.
Even when a date is printed, the FDA calls expiration dates "rules of thumb," not guarantees. A product stored badly can go off well before its date, and one stored under ideal conditions may be fine after it.
How to read the open-jar symbol
Many products carry a small icon of an open jar with a number inside. Cleveland Clinic explains that "24m" means the product is good for 24 months after opening, and "6m" means six months. Not every product has one.
How long does mascara last? Expiry by product
| Product | What the sources say | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mascara | Discard 2–4 months after purchase; some experts say 3 months. Toss sooner if it dries out. | FDA |
| Other eye-area makeup | Shorter shelf life than other cosmetics; stop using if you get an eye infection. | FDA |
| Liquid eyeliner, liquid concealer, liquid foundation | About six months | Cleveland Clinic |
| Pencil eyeliner, powder eyeshadow, powder foundation | One to two years | Cleveland Clinic |
| Lipstick, lip gloss, lip balm, makeup with SPF | Six months | Cleveland Clinic |
| Sunscreen | Regulated as a drug with a printed expiration date. The FDA requires sunscreens to keep their strength for at least three years; discard after the expiration date. | FDA, AAD |
| Acne treatments | Regulated as drugs, with printed expiration dates. | FDA |
| "All natural" or preservative-free products | May spoil more quickly; plant-based ingredients can be conducive to microbial growth. | FDA |
| Other cosmetics | No legally required shelf life; watch for changes in color, texture or smell. | FDA |
Cleveland Clinic's Dr. Shilpi Khetarpal gives mascara a more generous six months; we'd follow the FDA's stricter window. She notes dry products outlast wet ones because moisture helps bacteria and mold grow. Our makeup expiration calculator helps you log when you opened each product.
Signs a product has gone bad
The FDA notes that exposure to high temperatures, sunlight and air "can cause changes in color and texture and may cause the products to smell." Look for:
- Color changes or darkening.
- Texture changes: creams or emulsions separating, products drying out, hardening or cracking.
- An off smell.
- Dry, clumpy mascara. The FDA says it should simply be thrown away.
- Skin reactions. An unexpected rise in breakouts, infections or allergic reactions may be a sign of expired makeup, per Cleveland Clinic.
If you're in doubt, let it go. A fresh product is far cheaper than an infection.
How to make makeup last safely
- Never add water or saliva. When mascara starts to dry, it's tempting to revive it. The FDA is clear: do not add water "or, even worse, saliva" to moisten it, because both introduce bacteria. Discard it instead.
- Don't share. "Don't share makeup. You may be sharing an infection," the FDA advises. Store testers are more likely to be contaminated than products at home, so if you test in a store, use a new, unused applicator, such as a fresh cotton swab.
- Keep products cool. Avoid leaving cosmetics anywhere hot, like a car in summer. According to the FDA, "Heat can make preservatives break down and cause bacteria and fungi to grow faster." Its eye cosmetics checklist says not to store them above 85 degrees F.
- Wash your hands and close lids. The FDA advises washing hands before applying eye makeup. Air exposure is one of the factors it lists as causing products to change, so cap products tightly.
- Clean brushes weekly. Dr. Khetarpal recommends washing brushes and sponges at least weekly.
- Know where your products come from. The FDA warns that products bought at flea markets or resold online may be expired, used, diluted, tampered with or counterfeit.
A note on clean and natural formulas
Many people choose clean or natural makeup, and it's worth knowing that preservatives play a protective role. The FDA notes that "all natural" products with plant-based ingredients may be conducive to microbial growth, and that products with "non-traditional preservatives, or no preservatives at all" carry a higher risk of contamination. With these formulas, it's especially important to follow the brand's guidance, keep products cool, and replace them promptly. You can read more about how we evaluate products on our standards page, and about what "clean" does and doesn't mean in our clean beauty guide.
What to look for when buying mascara and eye makeup
- An open-jar symbol or date, so you know how long it lasts once opened.
- A sealed, unused product from a source you trust, per the FDA's warning about resold cosmetics.
- Products meant for the eye area. The FDA says not to use cosmetics near your eyes unless they're intended for that use, and to avoid kohl, which isn't approved for cosmetic use in the U.S.
We don't carry mascara right now. For removing it gently, Hoba Pure Jojoba Oil is listed as a makeup remover as well as a cleanser and moisturizer. Black Castor Oil for Hair & Brows is described on its listing as a rich, slow-absorbing oil for brows and lashes; keep it out of your eyes and patch-test first. More in our castor oil for hair guide.
Who should be careful
- Anyone with an eye infection. The FDA advises seeing a physician, stopping all eye-area products and discarding those you were using when the infection began.
- Anyone with irritation. The FDA says to stop using an eye cosmetic immediately if it causes irritation, and to see a doctor if it persists.
FAQ
How long does mascara last after opening?
About two to four months. The FDA says manufacturers usually recommend discarding mascara two to four months after purchase, and some industry experts recommend three months. Cleveland Clinic gives six months as an outer limit, but because eye products can cause serious infections, the stricter window is safer.
Is it safe to use expired mascara?
The FDA recommends throwing mascara away within that window and discarding it if it dries out, because bacteria and fungi can grow in the tube and eye products can cause serious eye infections. In one study of students' used mascaras, most samples contained Staphylococcus aureus.
Do makeup products have to have an expiration date?
No. In the U.S., cosmetics aren't legally required to show expiration dates, and the FDA treats shelf life as the manufacturer's responsibility. Products regulated as drugs, such as sunscreens and acne treatments, are required to carry them. Many cosmetics use an open-jar symbol instead.
What does the open jar symbol on makeup mean?
It shows how long a product lasts after you open it. Cleveland Clinic explains that a symbol reading "24m" means the product is good for 24 months after opening, and "6m" means six months. Write the opening date on the pack, or log it in an app or calculator, so you remember.
How long does sunscreen last?
According to the AAD, the FDA requires sunscreens to keep their strength for at least three years. Check the printed expiration date, and discard sunscreen once it has passed. Cleveland Clinic adds that expired or improperly stored sunscreen may be less effective.
Sources
- FDA: Shelf Life and Expiration Dating of Cosmetics
- FDA: Cosmetics Safety Q&A: Shelf Life
- FDA: Eye Cosmetic Safety
- Cleveland Clinic: When Should You Throw Out Your Makeup?
- Giacomel CB, et al. Investigation on the use of expired make-up and microbiological contamination of mascaras. Int J Cosmet Sci, 2013 (PubMed)
- American Academy of Dermatology: Sunscreen FAQs
- Cleveland Clinic: How To Choose the Best Sunscreen for Your Skin
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Patch-test new products and ask a dermatologist or doctor about skin or health concerns.
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