How to make your makeup last longer often comes down to how you store and handle it. Beauty pros say small changes can extend the life of your products and keep more items out of the trash.
How to make your makeup last longer
Keep a marker in your makeup drawer
Label products the day you open them so you know when they are due to expire. An aesthetician recommended stashing a couple of permanent markers with your kit and writing the open date on the container or cap.
To see how long a product is good after opening, check the PAO symbol on the packaging. It looks like a small open jar with a number next to it, which indicates the number of months the item remains suitable for use, according to a cosmetic science program director and chemist.
Avoid bathroom storage
Humidity and temperature swings in bathrooms can shorten product life. Experts recommend keeping makeup in a different room for more stable conditions.
Some items may benefit from refrigeration, but a dedicated skincare fridge is not necessary. A simple, well-ventilated basket or organizer works for most collections.
Minimize contamination
Repeated use can introduce contaminants, even when you use applicators. To reduce risk, choose packaging that limits finger contact, such as push-top or pump moisturizers.
Clean your makeup brushes and tools regularly to help products last and to protect your skin. For older consumers and changing skin needs, the way brands formulate and position products is evolving, as seen in lines like Sarah Creal Beauty.
Buy mindfully
Consider shelf life before you purchase. If you only use a product occasionally, a large size or opening several similar items at once makes it harder to finish within the recommended period.
If you need products for a one-off event, consider hiring a professional instead of buying new items you may not use again. Official guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration can help you better understand cosmetic labeling and use-by recommendations.
Tell us: a purchase you are putting off
We all have that nagging item on the to-do list, from linens to a nonstick pan that actually works. What product are you hesitating to buy or struggling to find?
Share your pick with The Trade Wind audience at tips@thetradewind.org so we can explore it in a future guide. You can also look to resources like the Consumer Reports website while you weigh your next purchase.
