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Rossen Reports: How dangerous is your expired makeup?
Jeff Rossen
Chief National Consumer Correspondent
Rossen Reports: How dangerous is your expired makeup?
Yeah. You know what the last year has been like? Right? And I'm guessing just to guess here you didn't really need your makeup sitting in sweatpants on the couch during COVID. Well, your makeup sat there though, sitting in your bathroom, sitting in your makeup bag. Chances are the makeup expired. Yeah, makeup expires. Who knew? And it grows dangerous bacteria that can do some serious damage to your face. I'm going to show you just how dirty your makeup could be and what it can do with *** little experiment you need to see. Plus how to check how old your makeup is right now. From home. What could be growing on your old expired makeup Staph E Coli causing rashes and even infections on your face. Take *** look. This woman rushed to the hospital after this Staph infection appeared on her face. Doctors told her the infection could have blinded her or even killed her. It came from this an eyebrow brush she never cleaned and you won't believe this. Another woman did an experiment, wiping her expired mascara and lipstick on Petri dishes. Look at all the bacteria that grew in just *** few days. Gross that bacteria could be growing on your makeup too. We're about to test it out using this official germ meter and swabs any reading over 100 is *** fail too many germs and I'm going to start with my makeup. Sorry to burst your bubble. I wear it on TV, all the time. So we're going to test this right now. Come on in. This is my foundation and I've had this for *** long time. I've had both of these for *** long time. So I am going to swab around the makeup like this. I'm gonna swab the thing, the applicator. I mean, I'm not *** makeup expert but that's an applicator. I put that directly on my face. I mix the liquid with the sample like that and into the germ meter. It goes seriously, you're not going to believe this. Come in here guys. 2877. I know math whiz but that's over 100 and I'm sticking this on my face but no more. That's disgusting. I had no idea. Hang on. I'm literally throwing this in the trash and this is probably why I'm breaking out sometimes I'm lucky it's not worse after that disaster. My producer Kelly wants to test her. All right. I just brought this makeup bag from home. I use this every day. We've got the brushes and the foundation and this eye shadow palette I use every single day. So I'm really curious about this one. Let's test it out. She swabs the eyeshadows, cracks the swab and here we go. Remember, we don't want anything over 100. All right. So not, not terrible on yours. 55. Great news. Her makeup is safe but watch what happens when she tests her brushes and applicators. Oh, no, 552. And the sad thing is, is I put this right in the crease of my eye. So that means *** lot of bacteria is getting right inside my eyeball. So in general, how long does makeup really last after it's open mascara place that every three months, eyeliners and eyeshadow. Experts say 6 to 12 months, lipstick replace it every 18 months and foundation after one year toss it and to check your exact makeup at home right now, go to this free website, check cosmetics dot net. You type in the brand and the lock code. It's right there on the package and it will tell you when it was manufactured and if it's expired in the trash, we all use these. I know we do. We've thrown it out. Wanna check your makeup at home to see how old it is. Get ready to be blown away. We have *** quick link on my website right now. Nice and easy, but it's important to go there. Rosson reports dot com. Back to you.
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Rossen Reports: How dangerous is your expired makeup?
Jeff Rossen
Chief National Consumer Correspondent
The world stood still for more than a year. While we stayed in our homes, our makeup sat in our makeup bags untouched. Now that the world is opening back up, you might be reaching for that makeup again. Before you do, you need to read this.Expired makeup can harbor bacteria that can cause skin rashes, irritation and infections. If you neglect to wash makeup brushes and sponge applicators, that makeup will sit and grow bacteria, too. WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: We put our own makeup and brushes to the test, to find out how much bacteria is crawling all over it. You’ll want to see this experiment!How can you tell if your makeup is expired?Some cosmetics might have an expiration date or a stamp on them. It looks like an open jar with a number. This will tell you how many months you can use it after opening. Can’t remember when you bought the product? What if you peeled off the label?This free and easy-to-use website can help you. Type in the brand and the lot code of the product (which is found somewhere on the back or bottom of the makeup). It will then tell you when it was manufactured and if it’s past its shelf life.When should makeup be tossed after it’s opened? Mascara: 3 monthsLiquid eyeliner: 3 monthsEye shadow and blush: 2 yearsPencil eyeliner: 6 – 12 monthsLipstick: 18 – 24 monthsFoundation and concealer: 12 monthsCleaning tip: Experts say it's important to clean makeup brushes and sponge applicators at least once a week with soap and warm water. For soap, you can just use whatever face wash you use. Bonus tip: When mascaras and liquid liners become dry, don’t add saliva or water to it. The FDA warns this could add more bacteria to the product and could lead to problems with your eyes.

The world stood still for more than a year. While we stayed in our homes, our makeup sat in our makeup bags untouched. Now that the world is opening back up, you might be reaching for that makeup again. Before you do, you need to read this.

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Expired makeup can harbor bacteria that can cause skin rashes, irritation and infections. If you neglect to wash makeup brushes and sponge applicators, that makeup will sit and grow bacteria, too.

WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: We put our own makeup and brushes to the test, to find out how much bacteria is crawling all over it. You’ll want to see this experiment!

How can you tell if your makeup is expired?

Some cosmetics might have an expiration date or a stamp on them. It looks like an open jar with a number. This will tell you how many months you can use it after opening. Can’t remember when you bought the product? What if you peeled off the label?

This free and easy-to-use website can help you. Type in the brand and the lot code of the product (which is found somewhere on the back or bottom of the makeup). It will then tell you when it was manufactured and if it’s past its shelf life.

When should makeup be tossed after it’s opened?

Mascara: 3 months

Liquid eyeliner: 3 months

Eye shadow and blush: 2 years

Pencil eyeliner: 6 – 12 months

Lipstick: 18 – 24 months

Foundation and concealer: 12 months

Cleaning tip: Experts say it's important to clean makeup brushes and sponge applicators at least once a week with soap and warm water. For soap, you can just use whatever face wash you use.

Bonus tip: When mascaras and liquid liners become dry, don’t add saliva or water to it. The FDA warns this could add more bacteria to the product and could lead to problems with your eyes.