LONDON (Reuters Life!) - The average British woman's
cosmetic bag is out of date by a worrying four years, according to
a study on Wednesday 24 February.
Women
are using cosmetics well past the use-by date, unaware that some
products could be magnets for germs which could damage their health
and looks, said Sara Stern, Director of Cosmetics at retail
chain Debenhams.
"British women are famously loyal to make-up brands and products,
however, their reluctance to throw away old products is a risky
business," Stern said in a statement.
"We
wouldn't hesitate to chuck out moldy or bacteria-ridden food and
the same standards should apply to the lotions and potions and that
we put on our skin. Beauty is timeless but unfortunately, products
are not."
Favorite beauty essentials such as foundation, concealer, blusher,
eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, lipstick and perfume all include a
"period after opening" indicator, denoted by an open pot with the
number of months of safe use written inside.
Debenhams asked 1,000 women aged 18 to 70 about the contents
of their cosmetic bags and their understanding of the health
considerations.
Despite European Union guidelines meaning brands have to state
product shelf lives, 89 percent of respondents said they were
unaware that such information exists, did not understand what the
symbol meant or were unable to read the often tiny writing.
Make
up, perfume and skincare products used after the expiry date carry
a risk of irritation and infection, Debenhams said. This
is due to air and bacteria infiltrating the products. Multiuse
products carry an even higher risk as they can spread germs from
eyes to skin to lips.
To add
to the shock factor, 60 percent of respondents admitted they shared
make-up with friends and family, multiplying the chances of
infection.
More
than two thirds of women (68 percent) said they only replace
make-up and skincare when they run out, however long that might
take.
Nearly
three-quarters of those surveyed (72 percent) never wash their
make-up sponges or brushes, even though they should do so at least
once a week and 81 percent of British women also regularly (at
least once a week) go to sleep without removing make-up.
Bevis
Man of the British Skin Foundation said it was not always obvious
when make-up had passed its prime, so it may not occur to people to
replace their products.
"It is
best to err on the side of caution and if a product looks or smells
strange, it is worth throwing it away."
