Compact Killers

Got a favourite gloss you use, despite the bottle being a bit crusty? A mascara wand you wiggle around its tube every day, even though it dried up weeks ago? When it comes to beauty products, we all have old faithfuls we can't bring ourselves to chuck out.

But clinging on to the dregs of your make-up could be giving you spots, wrinkles and much, much worse. Yikes!

MASCARA

Expiry Date: Three months

Can cause: Blindness

"Old mascara is a breeding ground for bacteria such as staphylococcus, resulting in conjunctivitis, which causes redness, itching and swelling," says Stewart Long, scientific skincare advisor to Boots. "If bacteria gets into a cut near the eye, it could damage eyesight and even result in blindness."

Clean up your act: Buy a new mascara every couple of months. Don't pump the wand into the tube, as this drives bacteria in. And instead of reusing the brush, which transfers bacteria back from your lashes into the mascara, use disposable wands. Various types are available from The Pro Makeup Shop, £4.25 for 25.

FOUNDATION

Expiry Date: Six months

Can cause: Wrinkles

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Your skin absorbs foundation so you need to be extra careful it doesn't go off. "Bacteria can flourish, causing spots or rashes," says NYC Cosmetics make-up artist Michael Ashton. "Also, the anti-ageing ingredients stop working once foundation expires, so rather than keeping skin plump, it dehydrates it, reducing elasticity and even causing wrinkles."

Clean up your act: "Stop using the product if you see any separation in the liquid or changes in scent or colour," says Michael. According to top make-up artist Susan Posnick, mineral make-up is the way forward. "It's inorganic so bacteria can't survive in it." Try Bellápierre Loose Mineral Foundation, £34.99.

POWDER BLUSHER

Expiry Date: One year

Can cause: Skin irritation

"Blusher past its sell-by date can cause skin irritation, stinging and sensitivity to touch," says Sally Penford of the International Dermal Institute. "It can even lead to permanently dilated capillaries and redness."

Clean up your act: Repeated applications with your blusher brush can cause an oily residue from your skin to form on your blusher, which can lead to breakouts. The anti-microbial technology of the built-in brush makes Clinique's new Quick Blush, £20.55, more hygienic, but it's still best to wash the brush every week.

LIPSTICK

Expiry Date: One year

Can cause: Infected lips

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"Lips can get dried out, irritated and blistered from bacterial infection once preservatives have expired," warns Michael. And if you share your lippy, you could even contract herpes, which in very rare cases can be deadly.

Clean up your act: Pop your lippy in the fridge! "This will keep it healthier for longer as bacteria can't breed in the cold," says Barry M make-up artist Danielle Novak. Using a lip primer like Nars Rain Lip Treatment, £17, before lippy will lock in moisture.

BRUSHES

Expiry Date: One week

Can cause: Skin diseases

According to Antonia Hawke, founder of The Pro Makeup Shop: "Dirty brushes are a breeding ground for micro-organisms that can cause herpes, ringworm and impetigo, an infectious skin disease that results in blisters."

Clean up your act: Wash brushes weekly in soapy water. "Fairy Pure Clean Washing Up Liquid, £1.28, is ideal as it contains antibacterial properties to keep bugs at bay," says Antonia. Leave on a clean surface to dry.

Win beauty goodies

PHOTOGRAPHY: SANDRO HYAMS, PIXELEYESPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK HAIR & MAKE-UP: AFTON RADOJCIC AT S MANAGEMENT USING MAC AND DERMALOGICA, ALICE THEOBALD AT JOY GOODMAN USING CLINIQUE AND REDKEN MODEL: NONNA K AT PREMIER STOCKISTS BELLAPIERRE (0800 023 4190), CLINIQUE (CLINIQUE.CO.UK), FAIRY (NATIONWIDE), NARS (NARSCOSMETICS.CO.UK), THE PRO MAKEUP SHOP (PROMAKEUPSHOP.COM)

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