Health Canada recently put new regulations in place regarding cosmetics, requiring manufacturers to list the ingredients they use in that tube of lipstick, or creamy foundation that will be phased in over the next two years.
This measure may come as good news to consumers with sensitive skin or allergies who are forced to find the right products through trial and error.
The ingredients will be listed according to the International Nomenclature of Cosmetics Ingredients system, which is already used in several countries. There shouldn't be too much confusion for consumers as cosmetics makers can only use names approved by the international system.
You may want to dig down to the bottom of your make-up bag and check out the products you currently use, not just for their ingredients, but to ensure they're hygienic.
"I've seen ladies get eye infections like sties and whatnot - I'm convinced it's from holding on to a mascara too long, or perhaps from not cleaning their brushes properly," Sheldon Hargrove, director of George Brown College's Yorkville School of Makeup and Esthetics explained.
"For the most part, at worst I've seen someone who might have an allergic reaction to a particular makeup line that perhaps has too much perfume in it."
Michelle Iskander decided to visit a dermatologist after suffering from a number of annoying and uncomfortable skin irritations.
"I had started getting slight irritations on my skin and my face and on my eyelid and they were kind of random and I wasn't sure what it was about. And then my hands started also getting rashes on them," she explained.
A skin patch test revealed she's one of about five percent of Canadians who are allergic to some cosmetic products.
The number one irritant is tea tree oil, found in a variety of products, including shampoos. Chamomile and beeswax can also irritate dry and scaly skin.
Dr. Sandy Skotnicki-Grant of the Bay Dermatology Centre said you should also watch out for products that claim they're unscented.
"What the manufacturer's saying - they're not lying to you - they're saying this product has no scent to it. But that doesn't mean it doesn't contain a fragrance," she explained.
Here are some ways to ensure your makeup is fresh and hygienic:
Mascara: Although a retailer might say it's good for a year, Hargrove suggests throwing it out within six months. Dr. Allan Slomovic, an ophthalmologist, recommends replacing mascara every three months.
Lipstick: Should last one to two years, says Dr. Jason Rivers, a UBC dermatologist. Hargrove says if it "starts to get a nasty sort of rancid smell, it's time to pitch it." As for lip liner, Rivers says you can give it up to three years. Lip gloss: six months.
Foundation: Some companies are starting to print an expiry date on the bottle, usually giving it a two-year shelf life. "There's no absolute rule of thumb," says Hargrove. Higher-end products have silicone added for spreadability and durability, he says.
Powders: These can last a long time, the experts agree.
Creams and lotions: If a cream comes with a screw-top lid and multiple people are using it without washing their hands, Rivers says "it's possible to transmit infective agents that way, assuming the exposure period is fairly short." Otherwise, the preservatives will in general "keep things quiet." Using a pump dispenser for lotions so that hands aren't directly in contact with the contents reduces the likelihood of exposure to bacteria.
Makeup brushes, powder puffs: Should be washed once a week with a mild soap or shampoo, suggests Hargrove. "Let it air-dry overnight." A well-made brush can last 10 to 15 years. Makeup artists use a heavy-duty cleanser on brushes every time they finish an application because they have to use their brushes on numerous people, he says.