MAKEUP / SAFETY / HYGIENE / INGREDIENTS
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A Practical Guide to Makeup

Makeup Habits Worth Avoiding

Understanding why certain practices increase contamination or skin irritation risks can help you maintain a safer beauty routine.

Sharing Eye Makeup

Borrowing eyeliner or mascara introduces foreign microbes to a sensitive area.

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Using Old Mascara

Mascara tubes are dark, moist environments that can harbor bacteria over time.

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Applying to Irritated Skin

Covering active breakouts or rashes with heavy cosmetics can trap debris.

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Dirty Brushes

Unwashed tools accumulate oils, dead skin cells, and product buildup.

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Sharing Lip Products

Lip gloss wands and lipsticks easily transfer saliva and microbes between users.

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Using Damaged Products

Changes in texture, separation, or broken packaging often indicate a compromised formula.

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Makeup Expiry & Product Changes

Cosmetic jars showing period after opening symbols

Cosmetics do not last forever. Preservative systems naturally degrade over time, and regular use introduces air and microbes into the packaging.

Period-After-Opening (PAO)

Look for the open-jar symbol on packaging, which contains a number followed by 'M' (e.g., 12M). This indicates the number of months the product is generally considered safe to use after it has been opened. This is a manufacturer guideline based on the stability of the formula under normal conditions.

Signs a Product May Be Compromised

  • Smell: A distinct change in odor, often described as a stale, rancid, or sour smell, particularly in oil-based products.
  • Texture: Emulsions may separate, powders may develop a hard film (glazing), or liquids may become clumpy.
  • Colour: Noticeable oxidation or colour shifting that was not present when the product was new.
Visitors should follow the specific product's packaging and manufacturer guidance. General timelines vary widely based on formulation, packaging type (pump vs. jar), and storage conditions.