Vampire, witch, old scar… At Halloween, all the spirits and makeup are out, for young and old alike. The opportunity to apply excessive makeup. But beware of products that you may have kept from last year (there aren’t that many opportunities to give yourself a gray or bloody complexion!). At the risk of damaging your skin… for real.
Expired products… and potentially dangerous
First thing: even if Halloween makeup is released occasionally, it remains a skin product, like any other. “It’s a cosmetic, so like all cosmetics, you have to know when you opened the product,” recalls dermatologist Dr Isabelle Gallay. Indeed, on most packaging, a small icon representing an open jar indicates the duration of use after opening. “Typically it’s six months, but it can be a little longer if the formula contains a lot of preservatives.” A deadline to respect.
Once this period has passed, the ingredients can deteriorate, lose their effectiveness or worse, become contaminated. Even more so if it is a low quality product whose origin is unknown. If your Halloween makeup has already been used, especially in a group, vigilance must be maximum. “Often, these products are shared, especially between children: the tubes remain open, the brushes are passed from hand to hand… There is therefore a risk of bacterial or viral contamination, particularly by herpes,” warns the specialist.
When to throw away… or keep?
All is not lost if your makeup has remained intact. “If the product has not been opened, it has been carefully closed and stored in a dry, cool place protected from air, it does not in principle present any danger”however, concedes Dr. Gallay. But if there is the slightest doubt, it is better to abstain.
Signs may alert you: change in smell, texture (paste becoming liquid, or vice versa) or color. “If it doesn’t smell good, don’t put it on your face: that means it’s probably contaminated with bacteria or fungi.” she emphasizes.
Covering makeup: watch out for suffocating skin
Beyond expired products, certain high-coverage makeup used for Halloween can also pose a problem, even when new. “As it is occasional, there is no major danger,” reassures the dermatologist. But she warns: “You can still have an allergy, even in very small quantities. Certain ingredients or preservatives may cause contact eczemaespecially if the skin is sensitive.” It is therefore better to test the product beforehand.
Children and adolescents must also be particularly protected. “On thin skin, formulas that are too covering prevent the skin from breathing.” Result: within a day, sweating and sebum retention can lead to the appearance of pimples or acne breakouts, which sometimes take several weeks to disappear. A real aspect, this time, which we could do without.
Good reflexes for a Halloween without skin scares
Before applying makeup, it is also essential to prepare the skin: gentle cleansing, followed by a light moisturizer, creates a protective barrier. Choose products that are non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic and, if possible, specifically formulated for children. And above all, remove makeup at the end of the evening using a suitable makeup remover, to let the skin breathe.
Finally, although it may seem like a small detail, remember to note the opening date of your cosmetic products. This could well avoid some unpleasant surprises… and skin that has become truly monstrous.