Out-of-date cosmetics are putting your health at risk

Only one in four women takes any notice of use-by dates on make-up and toiletries.

The rest are putting their health at risk by using old cosmetics for several years, even if they begin to smell or become discoloured, a survey revealed.

Beauty analyst Alexandra Richmond said: 'It is not simply a matter of products no longer performing to optimal standards. Old make-up can be hazardous to our health.

'Like food, cosmetics can expire and become dangerous to use. There may be far more lurking at the bottom of your make-up bag than an old dried mascara.'

Mrs Richmond believes women simply forget when they bought a product and so are more likely to wear it after its use-by date.

Four years ago, rules were brought in by the European Union requiring all cosmetics that could deteriorate after opening to carry advice on when they will expire.

Many manufacturers responded by adding 'Period After Opening', or PAO symbols to packaging.

Customers can simply look for the jar symbol, along with a figure indicating how many months the product will last.



But many ignore this, and continue to use mascaras and eye pencils after their six-month lifespan, according to research by Mintel.

Miss Richmond added: 'These latest findings highlight a lack of information available on cosmetic use-by dates.

'Repeated exposure to bacteria from the mouth affects lip colour cosmetics, while out-of-date mascara and eye pencils can raise the risk of infections.

'Natural and organic products containing fewer or no preservatives have a shorter shelf-life than conventional products and therefore potentially harbour higher levels of bacteria.'

Dr Chris Flower, of the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association, said: 'An area where people have had problems is eye products. I do think PAOs are a help here as eye-area cosmetics can become infected and cause problems for the eyes.'

Source : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1211047/Out-date-cosmetics-threat-health.html