Here's How Long Your Mascara Really Lasts

According to the expiration symbol on most mascara tubes, a tube of mascara generally lasts about six months. Unfortunately, it may be even shorter than that. Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at New York's Mount Sinai Hospital, confirms the time span. "Generally speaking, if you are regularly using your mascara it should be replaced every three to six months," he shared with Allure.

To know whether your mascara has gone bad, check for the telltale signs. "If the mascara does not look, feel, or smell the way it did when you bought it, or if you've used it after having an eye infection, discard the mascara even if it is before the three to six month recommendation," Zeichner tells Allure.

The eyes are the most sensitive area of the face where makeup is used, so better to be safe than sorry. Zeichner advises, therefore, to be extra careful with any formula. "While the water content in mascara is low, making the risk of bacterial contamination low, you should still exercise caution on any product applied around the eye area," he told Allure.