What Is Hardpan And How Do You Fix It In Your Favorite Makeup Product?

Powder makeup is one thing we can't live without — shadows, blushes, or bronzers are all staples in our collections, particularly because of their long shelf life. "Dry powders and blushes housed in compact containers can actually last for several years. Bacteria don't thrive in a dry environment, so it's perfectly fine to keep a blush for three to four years as long as it looks okay and still delivers results," esthetician Renée Rouleau told Byrdie.

When powders stop looking normal, however, is when they also stop performing at peak quality. That doesn't mean your makeup is going bad, so don't be quick to toss them. If you see a film on top and it's hard to pick up the product with your brush, you're dealing with hardpan. This happens when moisture or oils from your face get transferred onto the powder and form a hard layer over it. It can also cause the powder to look darker and discolored. If it smells and looks okay otherwise, there are ways to fix hardpan with minimal effort so you don't have to throw out your favorite single pan or palette.

It doesn't matter if your makeup is from Chanel or CVS; hardpan happens to any powder that comes into contact with oil from your face or other products. Luckily, beauty influencer Rose Siard shared an Instagram reel, teaching folks how to easily get rid of the pesky film. She sprayed her powder with rubbing alcohol, which softened the makeup while simultaneously disinfecting it. Using a small metal makeup spatula, she gently scraped the top layer until all of the discoloration was removed.

Out of alcohol? Fret not. Beauty YouTuber Lauren Mae Beauty uses scotch tape to get rid of hardpan. Simply cut off about 1 inch of tape and firmly press it onto your powder. Gently rub the tape to get as much product on it as possible, and then peel it off. You'll end up with the top layer of the powder attached to the tape, leaving fresh and unaffected makeup underneath. For stubborn hardpan, Mae advised using a disposable mascara wand to rub the cakey powder off with more force and then grabbing it with the tape. Keep repeating until all your powders are hardpan-free, and store your revitalized makeup in a dry area to keep them wearable.

Since hardpan happens when moisture or oils come into contact with pressed powders, keeping your makeup as clean as possible is best. If you use your fingers to apply eyeshadow, wash your hands before doing your makeup to expunge any oil and bacteria. Sponge applicators also harbor a lot of residue that can cause hardpan, so give them a proper clean after every use. While cleaning makeup brushes after each application isn't convenient, giving them a once-over with a brush cleaner to get rid of products and oil is a great habit to adopt. Then, once a week, wash your beauty tools with warm water and a gentle shampoo.

Another great tip? Never use wet brushes on pressed powder, even if it's just water. The moisture will instantly cause hardpan. To dry your brushes quickly, hang them upside down so the water evaporates faster. Beauty YouTuber Rachael Annear shared an easy hack that requires only hair ties and a towel rack to do this. After your brushes are clean, place the handle against the rack with the bristles facing downward, thread the hair tie around the tip, and then loop it around the rack and over the handle once again. Adjust the brush so that it's secure and completely upside down. To speed up the drying process, you can place an electric fan in front of your brushes, but never blast them with high heat from your blow dryer. This will ruin the bristles.