The Dangers Of Using Expired Cream Blush

Cream blush is a terrific addition to anyone's makeup routine. Blushes have been around for centuries, but trendy cream blush has been gaining popularity more recently. They come in beautiful colors and tend to work well with their powdered counterpart, as well as stand great on their own. What's more, the product is known for working well with dryer skin types as well as mature skin, so it's potentially a more universal option.

However, as great as cream blush is, every beauty product has an expiration date. While makeup products don't disclose a specific date, many of them have a period after opening the label, that discloses how long to keep the makeup. Most people can locate the label by looking for a small label that dictates the time range in which the product is still fine to use.

With a cream blush, it can be tempting to keep the product past its expiration date, especially because of its universality, but we don't recommend this. No matter how good a product looks on the skin, it's important to be aware of the dangers ahead.

When dealing with a cream blush that has been kept for a little too long, it's important to be careful before applying it to the skin. Kelli Bartlett, Glamsquad's director of makeup artistry, spoke to Byrdie about the dangers of using cream blush past its prime. "Expired cream products can irritate your skin, exacerbate rosacea and clog pores. The same ingredients that give a product 'glow' or moisture can cause big problems when allowed to spoil," she told the outlet.

For those wondering when to get rid of the cream blush, it depends on the packaging of the product. If you have a potted cream blush, consider getting rid of it after a year. According to esthetician Renée Rouleau the bacteria from the hands can transfer into the pot (via Byrdie). This can often lead to the same bacteria being applied to the skin, causing acne and irritation. However, if you have a cream blush that is applied via a stick, it will last much longer. The product can last up to two years if it's wiped with rubbing alcohol at least once a month.

Sadly, makeup doesn't last forever. While all makeup has a period-after-opening label, not all of us remember exactly when we got the product. To avoid the risk of using expired makeup on the skin, look out for other clues that the makeup is old. For instance, one thing to look out for is texture. If you notice that the once smooth and waxy blush becomes dry and hard to work with, it's probably expired and should be discarded immediately. In addition to potential negative health side effects, it could also botch your otherwise flawless makeup look.

Another rule of thumb for any makeup product is to not use anything that has an odd odor. According to The Seattle Times, this is because there has been an influx of bacterial growth that has changed the fragrance of the product. It's important to note that the blush might expire much sooner than the average product if it's made with natural ingredients.