Expiration date and storage rules for lipstick or lip gloss

Lipstick is a decorative type of cosmetics that women's makeup cannot do without. Various shades and textures allow you to create the most incredible looks with bright, luscious lips. However, not all girls know that any cosmetics have their own expiration dates, including lipstick. It is strictly not recommended to use the product after this period, so as not to harm the health of the skin.

—>

What do GOSTs say?

As for any product, product, mechanism, etc. There are production and transportation standards - GOSTs.

In this article you can learn how to decipher a product barcode.

Cosmetic products for lips are included in one category and, accordingly, have the same GOST numbers :

1. GOST R52342-2005;
2. GOST 31649-2012.

In this case, these mysterious numbers and letters indicate that in most cases, the shelf life of lipstick and lip gloss is set directly by the cosmetic company , based on the formula, composition and operating conditions.

Does he exist?

Like any cosmetic product, lipstick or lip gloss is a combination of various chemicals .

Over time, some of them enter into chemical reactions with oxygen or simply oxidize.

Therefore, sooner or later, any lipstick or lip gloss becomes unusable due to drying or deterioration.

Manufacturers are trying to increase the shelf life of cosmetics by introducing substances that are resistant to oxidation, but despite this, any lipstick has a shelf life set by the manufacturer.

How long can it be stored sealed and opened?

Many consumers sometimes get lost and don’t understand where exactly they should look for the treasured numbers.

Typically, the deadlines are indicated on the image of an open jar drawn on the packaging of the cosmetic product.

Of course, shelf life depends on the manufacturing company, but there are also standard shelf life indicators.

These numbers will help you roughly understand when you should get rid of your favorite lipstick (times before/after opening the package are indicated):

• classic sticks - 3 years/1 year;
• lip gloss (liquid formula) - 36 months/8-14 months;
• lipstick in pencil form - 36 months/1.5 years;
• lip tints - 3 years/1 year;
• lacquered lipsticks - 36 months/1 year;
• balms and hygienic lipsticks - 36 months/1 year;
• liquid matte lipsticks - 3 years/1.5 years.

Here you can find a list of products that cannot be returned without a valid reason.

What influences it?

The shelf life of lipstick is determined by its composition.
If the solid base contains castor oil, which is resistant to oxidation, then this period increases. The more safe antioxidants a product contains, the longer it lasts. The same functions are performed by preservatives. The types of cosmetics also matter: lipsticks last longer compared to lip gloss. Unopened lipsticks have a longer shelf life. The application method, storage conditions, and compliance with hygiene rules are also taken into account.

Since the modern beauty industry is actively developing, new lipsticks are constantly being released that have perfect aesthetic properties. Each cosmetic company adds its own substances to this product. But most products contain the following components:

1. Waxes, which are hard and semi-hard. They are added in an amount of 2–13%. They are required to bind other components and maintain hardness. To eliminate dullness, waxes are added to beeswax, which are made from palm leaves, cacti or roses. With their help, cosmetics will be resistant to temperatures, will not smudge, and will retain their richness. All types of wax must be added in a certain ratio. For example, the volume of beeswax is usually no more than 2 - 5%, since it makes the lipstick dull. To add shine, Cadelian wax is used in an amount of 13%. Carnauba wax is used in amounts up to 5%. Some companies use synthetic waxes instead of natural ones.
2. Lanolin. This substance and its derivatives are considered components that are made from sheep's wool. This substance has disadvantages - unpleasant taste, smell and high stickiness. Lanolin often leads to allergies in the form of contact dermatitis. Typically, lipsticks contain about 5% lanolin, and in glosses its content reaches 70%.
3. Dyes. Used for coloring. Natural dyes used to be vegetable juices, natural herbs, and insect pigments. Modern cosmetics include chemical dyes from the Damp;S category. This is a list of dyes that are allowed in pharmacy. Each shade has a personal serial number. The percentage indicates the color saturation.
4. Oils – synthetic and natural. With their help, varnishes and pigments do not precipitate. Perfume oils are considered solvents for lipstick components and make up up to 30% of lipstick volume. Typically, sunflower, castor or chamomile oil is used in cosmetics. With these components, the lipstick is easier to apply to the lips. Aroma oils are added to make the product attractive, its pleasant aroma and taste. Aroma compositions include fruit aromas and natural esters.
5. Pearlescent additives, for example, mica. Added in amounts up to 25%.
6. Pine rosin. Add up to 4% for a hard, film-like coating.
7. Microspheres. These are small particles that give the product richness and fat. They have a positive effect on the skin and include special chemical components, vitamin E and folic acid.
8. Mineral pigments. This is iron oxide or titanium dioxide. Used to obtain pink tones and ease of application.
9. Boric acid. Adds shine and shimmer to pearlescent lipstick. For these purposes, microparticles of quartz or mica are used.
10. Antioxidants. They are added up to 0.8% as a necessary component in all types of lipsticks. Antioxidants protect against oxidation of natural substances in products. Typically this role is performed by the substance propyl gillate.

In addition to the required components, additional ones are added. This could be collagen, aloe vera, sunscreen and other ingredients. The properties of the product also depend on the composition.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with yellow stains on white clothes: how to remove the yellowness without damaging the fabric?

You can find out about the shelf life of lipstick from GOST. In Russia and the CIS countries, there are quality standards according to which cosmetics must be produced, stored and transported. The basic rules are in:

1. GOST R 52342-2005.
2. GOST 31649-2020.

They are called “Fat-based decorative cosmetics products.” According to these standards, the shelf life of lipsticks and glosses is approved by the manufacturer.

Guarantees from famous cosmetic companies

Some cosmetic companies indicate their own shelf life for lipsticks (not surprising, since they, in fact, make them):

1. Avon (Avon) and Oriflame - 24 months;
2. Dior - 1.5 years from the date of manufacture;
3. Maybelline have a standard term of 3 years;
4. Most L'Oreal are 3 years;
5. Pupa - 2 years from the date of manufacture;
6. Nyx - 24 months.

According to most manufacturers, you should use up lipstick within 12 months.

Expiration date of lipstick from famous brands

If you purchased foreign cosmetics, you should pay attention to the way expiration dates are applied. It is better that the dates are indicated on the tube itself rather than on a sticker attached by the company importing the product.

When purchasing a product, you should not trust huge discounts on expensive products. There is a high probability that the price has been reduced due to the expiration of more than half of the shelf life.

Terms of use of lipsticks from the most popular manufacturers:

1. Oriflame i Avon budget lip products can be used for up to three years.
2. Maybelline brand products are also stored for three years.
3. For Dior products, the period is not so long, it is only a year and a half.
4. L'oreal produces cosmetics with a period of use of no more than three years.
5. Pupa products are stored for no more than two years from the date of manufacture.
6. Nyx products can be stored for 24 months.

In general, the duration of use of cosmetics from different manufacturers differs. Some are stored for up to three years, and there are others that cannot be used for more than one and a half or two years.

Storage rules

Standard storage of any type of lipstick is limited to room temperature and low humidity .

Naturally, a cosmetic product cannot be stored where there is direct sunlight or where there are heaters.

Applicators for liquid lipsticks or glosses cannot be used with other products, they cannot be washed or washed (detergents can adversely affect the formula, and residual water can ruin the product).

Labeling of cosmetics

Relatively recently, a new international labeling for perfumery and cosmetic products was introduced. In the photo you can see the open cap of the tube and the number, and next to it the letter “M”, for example, 12M - the period of use after opening is twelve months.

To enlarge the image click on the picture

The manufacturer may indicate a code on the packaging that determines the batch number and production date. The expiration date may not be indicated if it is more than 30 months (according to the European Cosmetics Directive, etc.), in this case the expiration date after opening the product is indicated. If the expiration date is less than 30 months, then the expiration date is indicated, for example, Exp 06/2020 — use until June 2021 (Expiry translated from English as “expire”). In German you can find the phrase “Verwendbar bis” - use before, although this applies primarily to medicines.

Cosmetic hygiene

According to statistics, women suffer from eyelid diseases more often than men. Wearing makeup inevitably puts you in contact with your eyelids and eyelashes, so having bacteria on your fingers or makeup brushes greatly increases the risk of infection in the delicate eye area. To prevent this from happening:

We suggest you read: How to clean the seams between tiles

How does the product behave over time?

Any contact means are obviously a breeding ground for germs . There is nothing scary or supernatural about this, especially if you follow hygiene measures.

But long-term storage of used lipstick will eventually lead to the fact that a huge number of microbes , which will be difficult to destroy.

At best, using such a product will lead to allergies, at worst - to herpes.

The product itself will oxidize , which will render it unusable. The pigment will fade, the consistency itself will lose its oiliness and creaminess, and an unpleasant odor will appear.

How long can the lipstick be used after opening?

If the integrity of the packaging is compromised, microbes begin to penetrate inside, and the environment also has a negative impact. It’s good if you can use disposable applicators to capture the required amount of cosmetic product.

However, most formulations are presented in hard sticks that are applied over the lips, or have a soft brush that allows you to apply the product evenly. But first you need to put it in a common jar. At the moment the brush is immersed or the lipstick comes into contact with the skin, a kind of “contamination” of the cosmetics occurs, which negatively affects its composition and quality.

!— Jaay — Mobile — Content — 250*360 — 3 — >

Most of the products presented in stores today should be used within a year after opening the original packaging and breaking the seal. Some manufacturers set shorter periods, for example, 10 months or six months.

Signs of delay

The appearance of a characteristic musty, old smell signals that it is time to throw out the lipstick.

The appearance of cosmetics may also indicate that it has deteriorated:

1. the stick has dried out , cracked or, on the contrary, has started to leak;
2. pigment clumps , white coating or drops of liquid appeared on the surface of the product.

From this article you will learn how much time a consumer has to return goods to the store.

How to tell if your lipstick has gone bad

Lipstick contains various fats that give off an unpleasant odor when decomposed.

Dry and cracked lip product is also not suitable for use. This also applies to this type of soggy cosmetics.

Expired lipstick should be thrown into the trash without any regret.

There are other signs of expired lip product:

• change in color or taste;
• the appearance of a rancid, old smell;
• formation of light plaque;
• formation of condensation from fat droplets.

You can tell that a hygienic lipstick has already expired if the product is not applied evenly to the lips, forms clumps, or curls up. A dry or too viscous composition also cannot be considered high quality.