Facial Serums And Make Up Expiration DatesPosted by Digital_Zone on January 15th, 2021 Though perhaps not considered an essential in most people’s skincare and makeup routines, serums can give your skin that elusive skin glow that many will spend hours seeking. Somewhat expensive, yes, but many will happily pay the money owing to their endless benefits and the investment. So, what are facial serums? And what are their benefits? What are facial serums? A type of lightweight moisturiser, facial serums tackle skin problems by providing a high concentration of active ingredients (minerals, vitamins, compounds etc) to facial skin cells. They are easily applied, effective, and not overly expensive. Serums can typically be bought at most major supermarkets across the globe, alongside specific drug and makeup stores such as Superdrug. What are the benefits of facial serums? Facial serums boast a wide range of visible benefits for your skin, leaving you with that highly sought-after, natural, healthy glow. Much further than traditional moisturisers, they will reach deep down into your skin to ensure that each and every cell receives the required nutrients and minerals. Though not essential to every skincare and makeup routine, they regardless can provide excellent benefits to anyone willing to make the investment. Each serum will typically be tailored to your own skin condition, so picking the right one is important. Which facial serum do I choose? Serums come in a wide range of varieties that tackle different facial issues, rather than necessarily your own skin type. Some examples of facial serums are… Anti-aging Serums Anti-aging serums tackle wrinkles and fine lines with antioxidants, retinoids and peptides. Anti-acne Serums Serums containing ingredients such as vitamin C, retinol and salicylic acid can typically work wonders in fighting acne thanks to their healing properties. Hydrating Face Serums Some serums are designed to support – but not replace – traditional moisturisers by leaving you with a rounded, hydrated look after consistent use over an extended period of time. Reparatory Face Serums Similar to anti-aging serums, reparatory face serums will specifically target the rejuvenation of cells to aid recovery from various skin conditions. Skin Perfecting Serum Skin perfecting serum can help combat the daily wear and tear that your face endures by providing it with a boost of vitamins and minerals to retain its natural glow. Dependent on their skin conditions, many will opt to rotate between different facial serums rather than simply sticking with one. How do I apply a facial serum? Facial serums should be applied after cleansing with a toner, but prior to moisturising. Simply dispense a small amount onto your face before gently rubbing across using your finger or palm. Wait five minutes for the substance to be fully absorbed before proceeding with any further steps in your routine. Serums are applied in very small doses and each bottle should last a reasonable amount of time. If you are going through bottles quickly, you may be applying too much and actually causing more harm than good to your skin. Is serum a moisturiser? What’s the difference? Yes, but no. Some face serums will have hydrating qualities, but they are far from being direct moisturisers. Serums will also typically penetrate your skin far deeper than a moisturiser, providing a far broader coverage across all of your cells – insuring not a single one is left without the needed nutrients. Though some people will find simply using a serum sufficient, many will still opt to also include a moisturiser in their routine for the added benefits. How long is the shelf life of facial serum? Facial serums typically have a shelf life of six months to one year, though this can depend on the manufacturer and each individual product. As with any makeup, they must be treated with upmost respect when it comes to storage to avoid early expiration. More information on serums and their benefits can be found here. (https://thegaggler.com/everything-youve-always-wanted-to-know-about-serums/) How can I prolong makeup shelf life? As you would your skin, taking good care of your makeup – what you put onto your skin for most of the day! – is equally as important. Makeup shelf life should not be prolonged any further than what is listed on the use by date, but there are many things you can do to ensure your product lasts the full period of time. One of the main issues that causes makeup to expire is people leaving them in damp, humid bathrooms that create perfect conditions for bacterial growth. Instead, store your makeup in a cool, dry environment and away from water. In addition, ensure you are regularly wiping down and disinfecting the place in which you store your make up. By doing so, you are reducing the risk of bacteria coming into contact with your products and protecting your skin in the process. Why is it important to throw away expired makeup? Though it may seem a huge waste to throw away expired makeup when it still looks useable, deep down it could cause your skin some serious issues if used by making your face a breeding ground for bacteria. One of the main symptoms of a facial bacterial infection is acne breakout. Whilst you may be using your makeup to hide slight acne breakouts, you may in fact actually be causing the condition to become far worse by further infecting your skin with harmful bacteria. But use of expired makeup could lead to far worse conditions than acne that can be prolonged, if not life-long. Not sure whether it’s still within its use-by date? If in doubt, throw it out. Makeup Expiration Dates Such as good and other commodities, there are strict makeup expiration dates that must be adhered to for health and safety purposes. Serums aside, other types of makeup each come with their own expiration dates. Lipstick Typically, a lipstick can hold for up to two years and still work effectively. If it starts to give off a repugnant smell, however, or lose its colour/evidently dry out, consider replacing immediately. Liquid Eyeliner Liquid eyeliner will expire after just three months. Mascara Similar to liquid eyeliner, mascara perhaps has the shortest out of all and can only hold for up to three months. Foundation Foundation can typically last up to a year after first use. Be aware that expired foundation can cause serious acne, so ensure to keep a note of when it will go out of date. Eyeliner Pencil Pencils will typically have a much longer shelf life, often up to two years – this dependent on the brand and individual product. Make sure to sharpen before use and regularly disinfect. Each product will come with its own use-by date, though, so you must check this before purchasing and using. Make sure to keep an updated list as to when you bought a product and when it expires to avoid accidentally using expired makeup. More information can be found here. (https://thegaggler.com/makeup-does-not-last-forever/) Like it? Share it! More by this author |