We're all guilty of it. Holding onto that nude lipstick you got on sale even though it's the wrong shade for your skintone. Or refusing to part with the 20-shade eyeshadow palette you had to have even though you've only figured out how to use one color. But here's the thing: “But what if I need it one day?!” mentality is honestly just a recipe for clutter. And expired makeup isn’t just less effective; it can also be crawling with bacteria that cause irritation, breakouts, and even infections. So in the spirit of new year, new you I've created a guide that breaks down exactly when to throw out your makeup, how to properly clean your brushes and tools, and the smartest ways to organize what survives the purge. You're welcome. How do you know when it's time to throw out your makeup? Start by checking the expiration dates. “Once they pass, active ingredients and preservatives start to become less effective,” says cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson. Basically, your stuff won’t work as well and you’re putting yourself at risk for irritation or infection. If you don’t see a date on something, order history is your friend. But in general, “anything that goes near your eyes should be tossed after 3 to 6 months and anything that goes on your lips after 12,” Robinson says. Liquid and cream face products (like foundation and blush) will last a year after they’ve been opened, and powder formulas can be stretched to 18 months. If a product isn’t marked with an expiration date, write down the month and year you open it on a piece of tape and stick it on the product for fast reference later. Even if an expiration date hasn’t passed, exposure to dirty fingers, improper storage, or leaving a cap off for too long can make your products pretty germy. If the color looks off, the texture has changed, or you get a whiff of anything strange, throw it out ASAP. What is the best way to clean your makeup? Please allow me to share this fun albeit disgusting fact: As many as 90 percent of products in the average makeup bag are contaminated with bacteria like staph and E. coli. Sooo yeah. It’s time to start cleaning. Officially, makeup brushes and sponges should be washed after every use. Unofficially, no one has time for that, so I keep alcohol wipes handy and mine s a quick wipe down after each use. Then, once a month, deep-clean your brushes with warm water and a makeup brush cleanser or gentle shampoo (regular soap can break down brush hairs) and lay them flat to dry. If you’re team sponges, which are more prone to bacterial growth, you’ll want to give those babies a good wash every two weeks with a solid brush cleanser and then let them dry fully before using them again. Is there a way to sanitize used makeup? It depends on the product. Let’s start with eye stuff, because pink eye. Pencils and crayons should be sharpened at least once a week to reveal a fresh tip before use and should be lightly cleaned with the same kind of alcohol wipe you use on your tools. Annoyingly, you can’t really clean lipsticks, cream concealers, highlighters, or twist-up stick products without making a mess, so if you feel like yours have been contaminated (e.g., you dropped on the floor or got bullied into sharing with a friend), use a paring knife to slice off the very top layer. Outer packaging should also be wiped down every few weeks with a disinfectant wipe. What’s the best way to organize your makeup? If you want to be a streamlined minimalist: Upgrade from your current ziplock bag situation and treat yourself to Calpak's Medium Clear Cosmetic Case which feels fancy because it’s leather trim but is also super convenient because it's clear so you can see everything inside. It's also super easy to wipe down in case of a spill. Keep your everyday makeup in one of the two compartments and any extras (like your makeup sponges, tweezers, lash curler, Q-tips, and that one random lipstick you just couldn’t part with) in the other. If you’re more of a non-hoarding hoarder: First, whatever you do, don’t waste $$ on those big opaque plastic bins or drawers. They’re black holes for your stuff to die in. The name of your game: clear acrylic makeup organizers that leave everything inside them on display, which keeps you accountable in the organization department. Amazon and the Container Store have tons of options (the Luxe Acrylic Makeup Storage Kit is a makeup-artist fave), which makes it easy to customize your setup. Start with a few stackable drawers that are tall enough to fit things like foundations and oils standing up (storing on their sides = a recipe for spills and leaks) and then some that are wide enough to house palettes, pots, and compacts. Also super useful: tiered lipstick trays and tube canisters to store anything long and skinny, like pencils, crayons, sticks, mascaras, and brushes. To keep everything functional for when you’re getting ready, group your products together based on how/where/when they’re used, and not how they look. That means eye products with eye products—not lip pencils with brow pencils. If you’ve got a haul that rivals that of a small Sephora: It's time to buy a bookshelf—specifically one with five tiers—to display your goods (Amazon and Wayfair have a bunch of cool styles in the $100 to $300 price range). Keep the cute stuff, like your limited-edition palettes and pretty brushes, on decorative trays at eye level (it’s art, thank you), which is also where aesthetic non-makeup items like bud vases and candles should live. Keep the less cute stuff (ahem, your nub-status pencils) hidden but still accessible on the lower shelves in printed fabric boxes, colorful plastic cylinders, or wicker baskets based on your vibe. You can also use reusable silicone baggies or rubber bands to group like-colored products together so you’re not digging through a million different things when you’re looking for that one particular shade. The tippy-top shelf is where you’re going to store your on-deck stuff (what you haven’t used yet but fully intend to) and out-of-season items. As you need to replace empties or switch things up based on the time of year, bring them down to a lower shelf that’s in arm’s reach. This goes for dupes too. You don’t need 50 black eyeliners clogging up your space—keep the ones you use handy and the others labeled clearly and stashed away.” 3 Important Makeup Storage Rules: Shield your stuff from sunlight Natural light is great for getting ready, but it can fade everything from your shadows to your foundation and will definitely melt cream products and change their consistency. Avoid storing things in the bathroom It’s hot and humid in there, which can speed up bacterial growth in your products and shorten their shelf lives. Keep caps and lids tightly closed Not just to avoid leaks but to prevent your products from going bad after being exposed to air. This is especially true for tinted serums and CC creams that have antioxidants and skincare ingredients in them. Why trust Cosmopolitan? Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a 12 years at Cosmopolitan.
