Expiry Dates You’re Probably Ignoring – And Why It Matters

Are You Keeping Makeup Until It Goes Off?

We all do it. That foundation you opened last year but barely used? Still in the drawer. That mascara from Christmas? Hanging on for special occasions.

But makeup has an expiry — not just from the date you bought it, but from the moment you open it. That’s what most people miss.

What Is “Period After Opening” — And Why Should You Care?

Look closely at your product packaging. You’ll see a small jar icon with something like “6M” or “12M” on it. That’s called the PAO (Period After Opening).

It tells you how long a product is safe to use after it’s been opened — regardless of how often you use it or how full it looks.

Here’s what that usually means:

If it’s past that window, bacteria starts building up — and that’s when it can mess with your skin, eyes, and lips.

What Can Expired Makeup Actually Do?

• Cause spots and breakouts, especially on sensitive skin

• Lead to eye infections from old mascara or liner

• Create irritation or rashes from expired skincare

• Make your makeup apply poorly — clumpy mascara, patchy foundation, cakey concealer

In short: it’s not worth the risk, even if it still looks “fine.”

Want A Simple Way To Keep Track?

The best way to stay ahead of makeup expiry dates is to organise your dressing table drawers. When you’ve got a clear layout, you can:

• Store items by frequency of use

• Keep newer products separate from older ones

• Finish what you’ve opened before it expires

• Spot duplicates and clear out the clutter

Want To Know How To Set It Up Right? We’ve created a simple guide that walks you through organising your dressing table in 4 easy steps. From layout tips to clever storage ideas — it’ll help you take control of your space and never lose track of what you’re using again.

Source: dressing table in 4 easy steps.