beauty
Is Discounted or Secondhand Makeup Safe? What the FDA Says
There is no legal expiry date on most makeup, eye products spoil fastest, and the FDA warns about resale items. Here is how to shop beauty deals sensibly.
By DealsDMV Team · · 4 min read
No U.S. law requires most makeup to carry an expiration date. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says so plainly, and it adds that deciding how long a cosmetic stays good is the manufacturer's job. That one fact explains why a lipstick, a mascara or a foundation can look fine on a shelf and still be a poor buy. If you like to hunt for beauty deals, this is the short guide to doing it safely.
A bargain on eye makeup is only a bargain if the product is still fit to go near your eyes.
One note first: this is general consumer information based on FDA pages, not medical advice. If you ever develop an eye problem, a rash or any reaction, stop using the product and talk to a health care provider.
The rule that surprises people
The FDA's page on shelf life says no U.S. law or regulation requires cosmetics to have a set shelf life or an expiration date on the label. There is one exception worth knowing. A product that counts as both a cosmetic and a drug must be tested for stability and carry an expiration date.
For everything else, a missing date does not mean the product lasts forever. The FDA explains that products break down over time. Fingers can introduce microorganisms, preservatives can wear out, emulsions can separate and the product can dry out. Heat, light and air all speed this up.
Eye products are the exception to treat carefully
The FDA says eye-area cosmetics tend to have shorter shelf lives than other products, and their use can lead to serious eye infections. For mascara specifically, the agency notes that manufacturers usually recommend throwing it away two to four months after purchase, because each use exposes it to bacteria and fungi.
Its other eye advice is short and firm:
- Do not use a product near your eyes unless it is made for that purpose. Lip liner is the example the FDA gives.
- Throw away mascara that has dried out. Do not add water or saliva, which can add germs.
- If you get an eye infection, stop using eye-area makeup and throw away the products you were using when it began.
- Do not share makeup.
How to size up a deal
Here is a plain checklist for a discounted or secondhand beauty item. Most of the points come straight from the FDA's guidance, and the batch-code check is a practical suggestion of my own.
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is the item sealed and unopened? | The FDA says to discard products that have been used, diluted or tampered with |
| Has it been stored somewhere hot or damp? | Heat breaks down preservatives, and moisture such as a steamy bathroom helps bacteria and fungi grow |
| Is it eye makeup? | Shortest shelf life and the highest stakes, so be strictest here |
| Does the colour or smell look or seem off? | The FDA says to throw away products whose colour or smell changes |
| Is the source clear? | The FDA says to be cautious about flea market or online resale items, which may be counterfeit |
| Is there a batch code or date on the box? | Helps you judge age, though the FDA notes dates are not required |
My own rule of thumb: for lipstick, powder or a nail polish, a sealed item at a good price is a reasonable gamble. For mascara, liquid eyeliner and anything that touches your eyes, I would spend the extra few dollars for something I know is new.
Why counterfeits matter more in beauty
The FDA warns that items from flea markets or online resale may be counterfeit. That is a real concern for makeup because the formula inside is the product. A fake handbag looks wrong. A fake foundation can look perfect and still be made with unknown ingredients. If a famous brand is being sold far below its normal price with no clear source, treat it the way you would treat an offer that arrives out of nowhere: slowly.
The same logic applies to claims you read in reviews. Our guide to spotting fake reviews explains why a pile of five-star posts is not proof of anything.
Storing what you buy
Once you have something you trust, a few habits keep it that way. The FDA's advice boils down to keeping containers clean and tightly closed, avoiding heat such as a hot car and avoiding damp places. Wash your hands before using a product, and do not apply makeup in a moving vehicle.
If you are shopping the DC, Maryland and Virginia area for health and beauty deals, ask what a seller can tell you about a product's condition before you buy. You can look at the help page for how DealsDMV handles returns and what to expect, and browse what is in stock on Buy Now.
The bottom line
Makeup does not come with a legal expiry date, the FDA says eye products spoil fastest, and counterfeits turn up in resale channels. Buy sealed, store it cool and dry, never share it, and throw away anything that looks or smells different. For eye makeup, new is worth paying for.
If you know someone who loves a beauty bargain, send this along before their next order.
Sources
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