We all know that eating food that's out of date can be bad for us - but could you be risking your health by using out-of-date cosmetics? A new study has found that British women are risking illnesses and complaints such as conjunctivitis, impetigo, skin irritation and even herpes by not clearing out their make-up bags often enough.
According to the study by Debenhams, the average make-up bag holds items that are four years out of date - with some even harbouring items that are up to 15 years old. The research also shows that 89 per cent of women are unaware that cosmetics have a use-by date.
Old mascaras, lipsticks and lip glosses can harbour bacteria leading to blistering, irritation, skin conditions like impetigo, and even herpes. Dirty brushes are also a breeding ground for bugs. Generally, cosmetics should be kept for no more than a year before they should be binned.
What do you think? Do you hang on to products for longer than you should?
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