We all love the way mascara makes our lashes pop, but did you know that keeping the same tube for too long can be downright disgusting? If you’re guilty of hanging onto your mascara for months (or even years—yikes!), you might want to think again. Here are five seriously gross things that can happen when you don’t replace your mascara every three months.
1. Your Mascara Becomes a Bacteria Breeding Ground
Mascara wands go from your lashes to the tube and back again, picking up bacteria along the way. Over time, this creates the perfect environment for nasty germs to thrive—especially since the dark, moist tube provides ideal conditions for bacteria to multiply.
🔹 Pro Tip: Never pump your mascara wand! This pushes air into the tube, making it dry out faster and creating an ideal environment for bacteria to grow.
2. You Risk Eye Infections (And They’re Not Pretty!)
Ever woken up with itchy, red, or swollen eyes? Old mascara could be the culprit! Using expired mascara increases your risk of developing conjunctivitis (pink eye) or styes—painful, pus-filled bumps on your eyelid. No one wants that!
🔹 Pro Tip: If you’ve had an eye infection, throw away all your eye makeup—including mascara—to prevent reinfection.
3. Your Lashes Can Get Brittle and Fall Out
Mascara that has dried out or expired loses its smooth consistency, making it clumpier and harder to apply. This can lead to brittle lashes that break more easily, leaving you with sparse, unhealthy-looking lashes over time. One good product we can suggest for healthier lashes is Lash Shield Waterproofing Top Coat for Mascara & Brows.
🔹 Pro Tip: If your mascara becomes clumpy or flaky, don’t add water or other liquids to “revive” it—just replace it!
4. Your Mascara Will Smell Funky (Yes, Really!)
Have you ever taken a whiff of an old mascara tube? If it smells weird—kind of like gasoline or chemicals—it’s a sign that it’s gone bad. Expired formulas can separate, dry out, and develop a foul odor due to bacterial buildup. If your mascara smells off, toss it immediately!
🔹 Pro Tip: A good rule of thumb—if your mascara smells weird or looks different, toss it immediately!
5. You’re Basically Putting Mold on Your Lashes
Okay, this one is seriously nasty. Over time, mascara can develop mold and fungi, which you’re then unknowingly applying near your eyes. Since your eyes are extremely sensitive, this can lead to irritation, allergic reactions, or even more serious infections.
🔹 Pro Tip: Store your mascara in a cool, dry place to prevent mold growth—avoid keeping it in humid environments like your bathroom.
The Bottom Line: Replace Your Mascara Every 3 Months!
To keep your eyes healthy and your lashes looking fabulous, swap out your mascara every three months—no exceptions! You deserve a healthier lashes, we recommend the Mommy Makeup. If you notice any changes in texture, smell, or performance before then, don’t risk it.
💡 Quick Reminder:
✅ Mark your calendar when you open a new mascara tube so you remember to replace it.
✅ Avoid sharing mascara to reduce the spread of bacteria.
✅ Look for clean beauty mascaras with safer, high-quality ingredients for your eyes.
Your eyes deserve better—ditch the old mascara and keep your beauty routine clean!
