Keeping your favourite lippy could be bad for your health claims a new study by experts from the College of Optometrists.
Old lipsticks and mascara brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria and the study has discovered that many women are not aware of the risks and do not follow sell by date guidelines. As many as nine out of 10 women are putting their health at risk by using out of date make-up.
Guidelines suggest that a mascara should be kept for 3-6 months; liquid foundation, cream foundation, cleanser, conceler and moisturiser 6-8 months; pressed powder, loose powder, eyeshadow, blush, lip gloss and lipstick toner a year and eye and lip liner should be kept for 18 months. Despite these guidelines the survey discovered that 92% of women keep mascara for longer than 6 months. Nearly two thirds of those surveyed used eye make-up that is more than 2 years old. And women in their late thirties early forties are the biggest offenders of putting their health at risk by using make-up that is more than 5 years old.
The risk of infection is also heightened due to sharing products. Over a third of women under 24 admit to sharing their make-up.
The make-up industry is expected to hit £1 billion by the end of this year 40% up on 5 years ago and British women spend more money on cosmetics and beauty products than any other country in Europe.
But according to Dr Susan Blakeney, optometric advisor to the college women don't know the danger lurking in their make-up bags: "Mascara can be a breeding ground for bacteria, so it's not surprising we've found nearly half of women suffer from itchy, watery and red eyes when they are holding on to their eye make-up for so long and sharing it among their friends."
Cosmetic experts are advising women to check the sell by dates on their products, smell taste and appearence/colour can be a sign that a product is no longer safe to use.