by Sophia Sandrelli

make up and skin products have a shelf life just like the food we eat

But why? Besides the fact that we'll never use them again, cosmetics do have an expiry date just like food. Indeed some foods will last considerably longer than many forms of make up.

But if you are still reluctant to throw your old war paint away, think of it this way - the more you get rid off, the more space you create for new additions.

Make up and skin products

Shelf life on make up varies from product to product and brand to brand. However in general lipstick, blusher and foundation will last a year and mascara starts to deteriorate after just three months. Exposure to air, light and moisture can greatly reduce the life of cosmetic products.

But how can you tell if something has gone off? If you can't feel a change in the texture you will notice a change in the smell. If in doubt, throw it away. It didn't cost a fortune and you've probably got five other types of the same product in your bathroom.

With regard to make up that you just don't use anymore, just toss it in the bin. There must be a good reason why you've stopped wearing it. And unless that reason is going to miraculously change, the make up will soon pass it's shelf life date. Toss it now - it'll save you doing it later.

Although fragrances don't have an expiry date, they do lose their scent very quickly. If you have a selection of perfumes lined up in your bathroom or on your dressing table, you will be shortening their life span. As soon as a perfume is exposed to air, and to a lesser extent light, it begins to go off.

But how can you tell if a fragrance has gone off? Initially there will be a subtle difference to the scent. Each perfume will deteriorate differently but there will be a common loss of freshness. And if you leave your old fragrances long enough they will eventually smell like drain cleaner.

If, when you are clearing out your cosmetics, you find old perfumes that smell fine but you haven't worn in years, throw them in the bin as well. What's the point of keeping them until they go off. Get rid of them now and replace them with new fragrances that you might actually wear.