Is that make-up safe to use?

Look out for this sign which indicates how long the product can be used after it has been opened (‘M’ means months). — dpa

They lie dormant in your bathroom cabinets, sometimes in startling numbers.

You may not even notice them, or maybe you don’t have the heart to bin them.

But are these expired cosmetics still safe to use?

A glance at the expiry date on the packaging won’t always answer this question accurately.

The German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association (IKW) has some tips on how long you can use a cosmetic product without worry, and even increase its shelf life.

Products with an unopened shelf life under 30 months are typically marked with a best-before date, sometimes symbolised by a hourglass followed by the date.

An image of an open cream jar followed by a number and the letter “M” is the period-after-opening (PAO) symbol.

“12M”, for example, means that the product expires 12 months after it’s been opened.

Aerosol sprays and water-free products such as powder keep indefinitely.

If you’re unsure whether such a product is still usable, the IKW recommends checking to see whether its colour, smell or consistency has changed.

If so, throw it out.

To increase a product’s shelf life, don’t open it until you’re ready to use it.

And always use up products as quickly as possible.

Carefully close the container after each use of a product.

To prevent contamination, always remove creams, gels and pastes from their container with clean hands, a brush or a spatula.

Never dilute or mix cosmetic products.

And when topping up a product from a refill pack, make sure not to contaminate the contents.

Store cosmetic products in a dry, cool and dark place, especially if their shelf life is short.

The IKW also recommends placing products with little content left at the front of the shelf, so that you see them more readily and use them up.

This will also help you to avoid clutter in your bathroom cabinets. – dpa