South West women NEED to change their makeup!

How disgusting! Half of South West women are using expired makeup products

One in ten also never throw away their makeup products
One in six Brits never clean their make-up tools, with half never cleaning their sponges

A new survey has revealed that more than half (53%) Brits living in the South West are using expired beauty products!

Just like food, your skincare and make-up products have an expiry date. In fact, holding on to old products results in 92% of us harbouring germs in our beauty bags which can lead to acne, rashes, and eye infections.

The survey, conducted by Rumi Cosmetiques also found one in ten South West women (10%) never throw their products away, leading make-up expert and founder of the beauty brand Kate, to reveal how long you should really be keeping your make-up products for.

Make-up product	When should you replace it?
Mascara	Maximum 6 months to prevent bacterial growth and eye infections
Liquid Foundation	Maximum 12 months, however, discard if the colour, consistency, or smell changes
Powder-based products - I.e. eyeshadows, blushes & powders	Maximum 18 months if kept clean and dry
Lipstick & lipgloss	Maximum 24 months, but if it starts to smell off or the texture changes, it's time to replace it
Eyeliners & lipliners	Maximum 24 months as long as they are sharpened regularly can help keep them clean.
Cream-based products I.e. concealers & cream blushes	Maximum 12 months

It's not just the make-up itself to keep an eye on but also your applicators. One in six Brits admit to not cleaning their make-up tools which can cause a build-up of harmful bacteria, grime, and grease. Make-up brushes should be cleaned once a week to avoid acne and skin irritation.

Although make-up brushes don’t have expiry dates on them, they can last up to five years if cleaned properly and regularly, however, make-up sponges, one of the most popular applicators, should be replaced every month. Shockingly over half (53%) of Brits admit to never cleaning their make-up sponges.

Kate stated: “Always check for any changes in smell, texture, or appearance, on your make-up products and brushes, and if you develop any skin issues or infections, it's best to discard the products associated with them immediately. Additionally, storing all your beauty products in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight can help prolong their shelf life.”