We all have them — that one bronzer compact you’ve been carrying around since the Obama administration, an expensive serum you don’t want to waste a drop of and try to stretch over many (many) months, the glitzy eye shadow palette you bought for a trip to Vegas and now keep at the bottom of your cosmetics drawer, “just in case.” Truth is, most of us are somewhat cavelier about holding onto beauty products that are past their prime but, according to experts, the practice could have a negative impact on our health.
“Makeup and skincare products don’t last forever. Once a product is opened, it’s exposed to air, light and your skin’s natural oils, which can break down active ingredients and allow bacteria or mold to grow,” says Dr. Rebecca Small, a board-certified physician and founder of RSMD Medical Aesthetics.
“Expired products can cause more harm than good. Bacterial overgrowth is common, especially in liquid or cream formulas, which can lead to skin irritation, breakouts, eye infections or even more serious skin reactions,” she says. If that doesn’t sound ominous enough, “Staphylococcus aureus, pseudomonas aeruginosa and various fungi have been found in expired and repeatedly used products.” In a word? Gross.
It’s important to note that some products — and some product delivery systems — are riskier than others. “Open-jar containers are particularly problematic, since each dip of a finger, brush or applicator reintroduces bacteria, mold or yeast,” Small says.
And the risk goes beyond contamination. “The concern isn’t just bacteria it’s the active ingredients lose potency,” she says. “That means your expired sunscreen may not protect you from UV damage, or your brightening serum may no longer deliver results.”
“The bottom line,” says New York-based esthetician and certified cosmetologist Olga Skydan, “is your cosmetics bag is likely filled with expired and already contaminated products that should be tossed and replaced immediately. Regular replacement prevents skin infections and irritation.”
So how often do you really need to replace your favorite beauty products? I asked Small and Skydan for the best advice on how to keep your makeup and skin care routines fresh — and safe. Additionally, I’ve rounded up affordable, high-quality options for each product type so you can responsibly replace your beauty faves without breaking the bank.
Mascara: replace every 3 months
Both experts I spoke to deemed mascara the riskiest product to use past its expiration date, which they set at around 90 days. “The dark, moist tube is the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive, and since these products are used so close to the eyes, the risk of eye infection is higher,” says Small.
“The wand goes directly from your lashes back into the tube, introducing bacteria each time,” explains Skydan. “After three months, you’re applying a bacterial cocktail to your eyes, which can lead to serious infections like conjunctivitis or styes.”
Affordable replacement pick:
Amazon
After reporting this story (and testing dozens of mascaras earlier this year), I actually set up an Amazon subscription for my favorite mascara of 2025. The no-smudge, zero-flake formula lengthens and thickens lashes without being a hassle to apply — and the $9.50 cost every three months is a lot better than getting pink eye.
$10 at Amazon
Sunscreen: replace every season, or by expiration date
Replacing a full-ish bottle of sunscreen may seem wasteful, but according to our experts, the risk of using an outdated SPF cream is worse. “Using expired sunscreen gives a false sense of security and can result in an unwanted sun burn, sun damage or worse,” says Skydan.
Small explains that the active ingredients in sunscreen degrade over time, reducing protection against UV damage. “Heat exposure, like keeping it in your car or beach bag, speeds this up,” she says. While her overarching recommendation is to dump these products after a year, if your sunscreen has changed texture, color or smell, replace it immediately, regardless of the date.
Affordable replacement pick:
Amazon
Adhering to expiration dates can get pricey, but Neutrogena’s sheer, high-coverage bestselling chemical sunscreen offers an affordable solution. It’s dermatologist-recommended, affordable, reliable and, at less than 10 bucks, won’t make a big dent in your wallet.
$9 at Amazon
Moisturizers in jars or tubs: replace within 6-12 months
“Think about it like this,” says Small. “Every time you dip your fingers into (a jar or tub formula), bacteria are introduced; over time, the formula can become contaminated.”
Affordable replacement pick:
Amazon
If you’re looking for a quality everyday moisturizer that’s safe for all skin types and doesn’t come in a tub, this French pharmacy cream — which was purchased more than 100,000 times in the past month — has a huge fanbase, thanks to its gentle, lightweight and quick-absorbent formula.
$25 at Amazon
Retinol products: replace within 6-12 months
Retinol is one of the few skin care ingredients clinically proven to prevent and soften wrinkles, but products made with these anti-aging vitamin A derivatives have a shorter shelf life than you might think. “Retinoids break down with air and light exposure, reducing potency over time,” says Small.
Affordable replacement pick:
Amazon
This gentle, beginner’s retinol cream was formulated by a team of scientists in Philadelphia with retinol and bakuchiol, both ingredients that help increase collagen production, though bakuchiol has fewer side effects and tends to be less irritating. They work well together really well. In fact, research shows that bakuchiol can enhance the effectiveness of retinol while helping stabilize it.
At a .1% retinol concentration, and with the addition of high-quality skin-nourishing ingredients like grape-seed oil, this affordable cream is an ideal skin-firming agent, and it’s an especially good entry point for retinoid newbies.
$8 at Amazon
Makeup sponges: replace at least once per month
“Beauty sponges are bacterial magnets that many people keep far too long,” says Skydan. “Even with regular washing, they should be replaced weekly if used daily, or after 5-7 uses. The porous material traps dead skin cells, oils and makeup residue deep inside where cleaning can’t reach and they can cause breakouts or skin irritations.” Small echoes that porous sponges are also a breeding ground for mold, especially if stored damp.
Affordable replacement pick:
Amazon
These bestselling makeup blenders — are a pro pick for their bouncy, absorbent material and convenient teardrop shape (especially great for getting into corners, comparable to some of the more expensive blenders on the scene). They’re endorsed by over 75,000 customers (including me) and they’re hypoallergenic, latex-free and, perhaps most important for our purposes, easy to clean.
$6 at Amazon
Vitamin C serums: replace within 3-6 months
Studies show that consistent, daily use of a stable form of vitamin C can improve skin texture, even tone, reduce hyperpigmentation from sun damage and diminish redness but, according to Small, that stability is key: “Vitamin C serums are highly unstable and prone to oxidation, especially if not stored in dark, airtight containers.” Most experts I spoke with agreed that you’ll see diminishing returns if you use older products, especially those you’ve had open for more than 90 days.
Affordable replacement pick:
Timeless Skin Care
For an affordable, high-quality vitamin C serum that will brighten your skin tone and reduce the appearance of fine lines, you can’t do much better than this one by Timeless. It’s lightweight, absorbs quickly and contains the right percentage of the main ingredient, combined with vitamin E and ferulic acid.
$26 at Amazon
Foundations and concealers: replace every 6-12 months
Depending on the formula, Small says concealers and foundations should be swapped out starting at the half year mark. “Old foundation clogs pores, causes breakouts and provide uneven coverage,” she says. And, regardless of the timing, “if your foundation has separated or developed a funky smell, it’s definitely time to toss it.”
Affordable replacement picks:
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP
This well-priced concealer goes on sheer and natural looking and the finish is satiny-smooth. It comes in a dozen easy-to-match shades and is buildable, so you can layer on more for days when you need heavier coverage.
$11 at Amazon
L’OREAL PARIS
In the past few years, drugstore foundations have seriously upped their game, and L’Oréal True Match is proof. This foundation has been beloved forever, and the current iteration is the best the product has ever been: It’s oil-free, offers 47 shades to accommodate a wide range of skin tones and blends like a dream.
$10 at Amazon
Oil-based products: replace within 6-8 months
Bad news for fans of oil-based cleansers and body oils: these products tend to degrade faster than their creamy counterparts. “Oils oxidize and go rancid, which not only smells off but can also irritate the skin,” says Small.
Affordable replacement pick:
Amazon
There are myriad uses for this wildly well-reviewed, internet-famous skin care oil, but I like it best for treating the body, not the face. It’s amazing on calves and thighs as an after-shave oil and as an emollient for cracked heels and dry elbows.
You can also use it as a face oil or as a scalp treatment and a little goes a long way to tame flyaways.
$9 at Amazon
Lip Products: replace every 12-18 months
The general rule is that lipsticks, lip balms and lip glosses should be phased out every 12-18 months. However, says Skydan, “If you’ve been sick or shared them with others, you should get rid of them sooner — lips are a common entry point for viruses and bacteria and old lip products can cause cheilitis, a painful inflammation that causes cracking on the skin of your lips,” she explains.
Affordable replacement pick:
Amazon
If you like your moisturizing lip products with a little (literal) flavor, you could do far worse than this blackberry-tasting balm by Nivea that manages to hydrate your pout and leave behind a sexy, subtle, just-bitten burgundy glow. It’s a solid (and far more affordable) swap for Clinique’s universally-flattering Black Honey lipstick.
$6 at Amazon
Cream eyeshadows and blushes: replace every 12 months
Creamy makeup may work better for mature skin, but, because it contains more moisture, actually has a shorter lifespan than powder products. “Cream eyeshadows and blushes should be replaced every 12 to, at maximum, 18 months,” says Skydan. “The oils in these products can go rancid, and the creamy texture provides an ideal environment for bacterial growth. Using old cream products near the eyes is particularly risky and can cause serious infections.”
Affordable replacement picks:
e.l.f.
These long-wearing, smudge-proof, cruelty-free eyeshadow sticks are available in an array of flattering neutral shades, come with a built-in sharpener and cost less than that sad desk salad you ordered last week for lunch.
$6 at Amazon
e.l.f.
Another vote for E.l.f! This beloved and virally popular cream-blush stick goes on velvet-y smooth and gives cheeks a natural-looking rosy glow.
$5 at Amazon
Makeup brushes: deep clean weekly, replace every 1-2 years
While brushes don’t need frequent replacement like sponges, they do need regular deep cleaning and eventual replacement. Natural bristle brushes should be deep cleaned weekly and replaced every 1 to 2 years when they start shedding excessively or lose their shape. Synthetic brushes last longer but still need replacement when the bristles become stiff or start breaking off. “Old brushes can scratch the skin and harbor bacteria in damaged bristles,” Skydan explains.
Affordable replacement pick:
EcoTools
I still can’t believe that these versatile, super soft, high-quality brushes — my personal go-to for the past three years — ring in at this surprisingly low cost. The set of six is designed to apply a full face of makeup, including eyeshadow, blush, concealer and foundation and comes with their own handy storage case, so they’re easy to toss in a bag and go.
$8 at Amazon
More tips for keeping your beauty products safe and up to date
Toss old travel products
Make sure to review that liquids bag after every trip — throw away expired samples or mini products and wash out travel bottles that contain leftover products.
Review expiration dates on all cosmetics
“Check expiration dates and don’t keep products ‘just in case,’” Skydan advises. “This is especially important for products stored in the bathroom for a long time because formulas may deteriorate faster due to high humidity and temperature changes.”
Clean out your makeup storage
Clearing out and sanitizing cosmetic drawers and organizers every six months will help prevent bacterial growth. When you can, Skydan suggests: “Choose organizers made of plastic or silicone — they don’t absorb moisture and are easy to clean.”