Do Makeup Wipes Expire? (Explained)

 

Taking care of your skin is super important.

After all, clear and healthy skin is one of the top features which determines your attractiveness.

If you want to maintain your appearance, it is important to make sure that the beauty products you use are not expired.

In this article, we will walk through everything you need to know about the expiration dates on your beauty products.

 

Do Makeup Wipes Expire?

 

Yes, makeup wipes do expire.

Using expired makeup wipes can cause reactions on your skin.

They also become ineffective after some time.

Expired makeup wipes might fail to remove your makeup.

The best way to know if your makeup wipes have expired is to look at the expiration date on the package.

What if your wipes don’t have a date on them?

Typically, makeup wipes expire six months after you open them.

However, if you notice they are dried out, that is a clear sign it is time to toss them.

If your wipes smell weird this is another sign you need to throw them out as soon as possible.

If you haven’t opened your makeup wipes yet, you can count on them lasting two or three years.

Once you open them, though, make sure you use them up in that six-month period.

 

What Are the Risks Associated with Using Expired Makeup Wipes?

 

The biggest risk in using expired makeup wipes is that they might irritate your skin.

If some of the ingredients have gone bad, your skin might have a negative reaction to the wipes.

Additionally, expired makeup wipes might not be able to effectively remove makeup from your skin.

This could result in you going to bed with foundation still in your pores.

Sleeping with your makeup on can result in breakouts.

 

What Are Some Alternative Makeup Removers?

 

If you are reading this article and realize you can’t use your makeup wipes, you might need a temporary solution.

There are some other ways you can remove your makeup using normal household items.

 

1. Lotion

 

That is right, your moisturizer can double as a makeup remover in a pinch!

Make sure that you are using a moisturizer that is safe to use on your face.

Some scented body lotions can be irritating for your face because the facial skin is more sensitive.

Take your lotion and rub it generously across your face, and then remove it with a cotton pad.

You are going to want to use more lotion than you normally would as a part of your typical skincare routine.

Your face should still be wet with lotion so that you can wipe off the makeup along with the lotion.

One of the advantages of using this method is that it is quite gentle on your skin.

It can also be beneficial for those with dry skin.

Some makeup removers can be drying, so using a moisturizer instead could help soothe your skin.

Despite these advantages, lotion is not a good substitute for a proper makeup remover in the long term because it isn’t made to completely lift the makeup from your skin.

This product is made to settle into the skin and blend with it.

You can use a lot of lotion in a pinch to wipe off your makeup because the makeup will break down and be easier to remove.

It is likely, though, that some amount of makeup will still be left on the skin.

It is better than nothing, but you should only do it in case of a makeup-removal emergency.

 

2. Olive Oil

 

Olive oil is a pantry staple that most people have in their house.

It can also be used as an all-natural makeup remover!

The way you apply the olive oil is much like the lotion removal method.

You want to rub the oil onto your face.

Make sure you have enough oil on your face so that it is somewhat wet.

It shouldn’t be dripping, though!

As you rub your face with the olive oil, you should start to see the makeup dissolving into it.

Then simply wipe the oil off of your face.

After wiping the oil off, you may want to wash your face with soap and water.

Whether you wash your face will depend on your skin type.

If you have dry skin, your face might enjoy the extra moisture from the olive oil.

If you have oily skin, though, you will probably want to remove all of the oil.

You will also want to remove it if you are prone to breakouts.

Though olive oil is a popular natural beauty product, it is still oil.

Oil can cause some people to break out.

 

3. Face Wash

 

You can wash your face directly with face wash.

If you got something on your body, you would use body wash to remove it.

Face wash is made to remove dirt and grime from your face, but it can also work on makeup.

It isn’t ideal to use only face wash as your makeup remover, but it can be done in a pinch.

As long as you don’t make it a regular habit, it should be fine.

 

4. Petroleum Jelly

 

Yes, petroleum jelly can be used to remove makeup, too.

You see, there is a pattern here! Oil and moisturizing agents help break down makeup.

Just like lotion and olive oil, petroleum jelly can help dissolve makeup.

You are going to want to rub it into your skin until you see the makeup dissolve into the jelly.

Then wipe it from your face.

You will probably want to wash your face after using this method as well.

Just like olive oil, petroleum jelly can result in breakouts if left on the skin for too long.

 

5. Baby Soap & Shampoo

 

Normally we wouldn’t recommend using shampoo to remove makeup.

However, baby shampoo is typically gentle enough to use on your face.

You will want to apply this the same way you apply your face wash.

Wet your face, and then scrub it with the baby shampoo.

You should be able to see the makeup visibly dissolving.

Once you are done washing, rinse it from your face.

 

Do I Need to Wash My Face After Using Makeup Wipes?

 

Yes, you still need to wash your face after using makeup wipes.

Makeup wipes remove much of the makeup on your face, but not all of it.

Foundation and cream blushes can settle into the pores.

Makeup wipes typically remove the surface-level makeup, but not the makeup in your pores.

No matter what makeup remover you are using, it is best to follow it up with a face wash.

 

Why Can’t I Substitute My Makeup Remover for Face Wash?

 

It can be tempting to simplify your beauty routine by eliminating steps.

The reason you can’t just use a face wash to remove your makeup is that there can still be makeup residue left behind.

Makeup remover wipes do half the job.

Then, your face wash comes in to finish up the work.

Usually, neither product can fully remove makeup by itself.

This is especially true with tough-to-remove makeup.

For example, waterproof products are practically impossible to remove with just one of these cleansing methods.

Even if you could get the job done with one of these products, it would take lots of scrubbing.

Excessive scrubbing can put a strain on your skin and damage it.

 

What Is the Best Method for Removing Makeup?

 

The best method for removing makeup is the one your skin responds to the best.

If you love your makeup wipes, you can stick to them.

However, makeup wipes are considered one of the most problematic makeup removal methods.

Using micellar water is widely considered to be one of the best makeup removal methods, winning out against makeup wipes.

 

Why Don’t People Like Makeup Wipes?

 

One of the reasons makeup wipes are often considered problematic is the chemicals they contain.

They usually contain alcohol and other chemicals that are drying to the skin.

It can also affect the pH balance of your skin.

Another reason many dermatologists don’t like makeup wipes is that they only remove makeup at the surface level.

While everyone should be following up makeup wipes with face wash, many people use wipes alone.

One way that dermatologists demonstrate the ineffectiveness of using makeup wipes alone is by using a lemon or an orange.

If you cover the surface of a piece of citrus fruit with a foundation and then use a makeup wipe to clean it, you will notice there is foundation left behind in the small dents all over the fruit.

Even if you don’t notice it, your face is also covered in small dents.

These dents are what we are talking about when we say “pores.”

Makeup wipes leave product behind in these pores.

Clogged pores are one of the most common reasons for breakouts.

Makeup wipes are also not environmentally friendly.

They often come in plastic packaging.

They are a single-use product that you will have to throw away each day.

 

What Is the Best Way to Dispose of My Expired Makeup Wipes?

 

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to recycle most makeup wipes.

For certain brands, the wipe itself might be biodegradable and compostable.

The plastic the wipes come in might be able to be recycled.

If it is, it will have a recycling symbol on it.

If you aren’t sure, it’s probably best to just toss both the packaging and the makeup wipes in the trash.

 

What Is an Environmentally Friendly Makeup Removal Method?

 

If you are worried about taking care of planet earth, here is a makeup removal method you can use.

The most environmentally friendly makeup removal method is reusable makeup removing cotton rounds.

You can find these at big makeup stores or through online retailers like Amazon.

For most of these cotton makeup removing pads, you just add water and scrub your face.

You can then wash them at the end of each week along with your laundry.

If water doesn’t seem like enough, you can always add a makeup-removing liquid to them.

You will still be saving the planet from all of those little disposable cotton rounds you would be using normally.

 

What Beauty Products Expire the Quickest?

 

It isn’t only your makeup wipes you should be watching out for! All beauty products will expire with time.

If you want to make sure your beauty cabinet is always in tip-top shape, it’s important to know how long each of your products lasts before expiring.

Here is how long different types of beauty products last, on average:

 

1. Mascara

Mascara is one of the beauty products that are quickest to expire.

You are supposed to stop using your mascara three months after opening!

One reason for this is that it has the potential to store a lot of bacteria.

Each time you use your mascara wand, there is the potential for bacteria transfer.

Since you don’t clean it between applications, any bacteria transfer goes right back into the tube.

The eyes are one of the most vulnerable parts of the body to infections.

Our solution to this is to consider buying travel-sized mascara.

This way you don’t waste product and won’t feel guilty throwing it out each month.

It will also give you the chance to try out many different brands if you want!

 

2. Foundation

Foundation lasts somewhere between six months and a year.

It should say on the foundation bottle, but if it doesn’t try and use it up within six months of opening it.

 

3. Fragrance

France is one of the longest-lasting products in your beauty cabinet.

Perfumes last for eight to 10 years.

Because of this, many will not have an expiration date written on them.

If your fragrance has been with you for less than a decade, you are probably fine!

 

4. Powder Products: Blush, Contour, & Eyeshadow

Powder blushes and contours will last, on average, two years.

The same can be said of eyeshadows.

That’s a great amount of time!

However, as any girl knows, it can be quite challenging to use up these products if you have too many of them.

Make sure you don’t overstock your blush or eyeshadow supply!

 

5. Nail Polish

Nail polish will last you somewhere between one and two years.

You will likely notice if it starts going bad by its decreased quality.

If your nail polish is gloopy and hard to apply, it’s probably best to go ahead and toss it!

 

6. Lipstick

Lipstick is going to last you an average of one year.

You will probably notice when the expiration time comes by a change in texture in the product.

If you see the consistency change, it is a sign that you should throw it in the trash!

 

How Do I Tell When a Certain Beauty Product Expires?

 

Makeup will have the expiration date written on it.

In order to find this, look for an icon of an open jar.

Inside the jar, you will see a number followed by M.

That tells you how many months your makeup will stay good for after opening.

If it says 12M, this means that your makeup will stay good for 12 months after you first open it.

 

What Are the Risks of Using Expired Makeup Products?

 

Using expired makeup products can lead to developing acne, rashes, eye infections, and styes.

You will also probably notice the quality of the makeup decrease.

If it is a liquid or cream product, you will likely see signs of separation.

This will mean it doesn’t work as effectively.