Understanding Shelf Life: When to Toss Your Lipstick

We all have that one favorite lipstick that we’ve been "saving for a special occasion" for five years. Or that drawer full of Trending Shades from three summers ago. But like milk or bread, lipstick has a shelf life. Using expired makeup isn't just a matter of performance; it’s a matter of hygiene.

Our lipstick expiration guide will help you determine when it’s time to say goodbye to your old favorites and make room for something new.

The General Rule: 12 to 24 Months

As a general rule, a traditional bullet lipstick lasts between 12 and 24 months after it has been opened. Liquid lipsticks have a shorter shelf life—usually 6 to 12 months—because the applicator wand is constantly being dipped back into the product, introducing bacteria and air into the tube.

Look for the "PAO" (Period After Opening) symbol on your lipstick box or tube. It looks like a small open jar with a number followed by an "M" (e.g., 12M). This tells you exactly how many months the product is guaranteed to stay fresh after the first time you use it.

The Three Signs of Spoilage

If you’ve lost the box and can't remember when you bought it, use your senses. Your lipstick will tell you when it has "turned."

1. The Smell: This is the most obvious sign. Lipsticks contain natural oils (like castor oil or jojoba oil) that eventually go "rancid." If your lipstick starts to smell like old wax, vinegar, or crayons, the oils have oxidized. Throw it away immediately.
2. The Texture: Does the lipstick feel "gritty" or significantly harder than it used to? Or, in the case of liquid lipsticks, has the formula separated into a layer of oil and a layer of pigment that won't mix back together? This means the chemical bonds in the formula have broken down.
3. The "Sweat": While a little bit of "sweating" (tiny droplets on the bullet) can happen in hot weather, if your lipstick is chronically "beading" or has developed a fuzzy or discolored film, it could be a sign of mold growth.

Maximizing Your Collection’s Life

To make your lipsticks last as long as possible, store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Never leave them in your car or in a humid bathroom. If you're a pro or a hygiene enthusiast, you can "sanitize" your bullet lipsticks by occasionally wiping the top layer with a tissue dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol.

If you find that a lot of your collection is expiring before you can use it, consider buying smaller "travel sizes" or using our Dupe Finder to buy more affordable versions of "seasonal" colors that you know you won't wear every day.

Ready to find your perfect shade? Skip the guesswork — try POUT's free Shade Matcher and discover your match in seconds.