By: Carol Belanger

I was surfing the net and came across an article about expiration dates on cosmetics such as mascara, eye shadow, etc., and skin care products. The article automatically prompted me to look at my skin care products and cosmetics. My eye shadow I could not see an expiration date or my blush or mascara, but it could have been on the packaging. I also checked my night time moisturizers and neither of those had an expiration date but it could have been on packaging too. My daytime moisturizer by Olay however had an expiration date.

Did you know that in the United States, there are no regulations or guidelines from the FDA about the expiration date for skin-care or makeup products? The only exceptions to this are for over-the-counter drugs sold as skin-care products, such as sunscreens and anti-acne medicines, but even those can have inconsistencies.

Typically expiration dates are generally a rule of thumb on the products safety after its expiration date. However this can be ambiguous too, because cosmetics that have been improperly stored – for example, exposed to high temperatures or sunlight, or opened and examined by consumers prior to final sale – may deteriorate substantially before the expiration date. On the other hand, products stored under ideal conditions may be acceptable long after the expiration date has been reached.

Other cosmetics that might have a short shelf life are “all natural” products that may contain a preponderance of plant-derived substances conducive to all kinds of unhealthy microbial growth. It is also important for consumers to consider the increased risk of contamination in some “natural” products that contain nontraditional preservatives or no preservatives at all.

Additionally, sharing mascara and other cosmetics puts your products at risk for contamination thus reducing its shelf life. It is well advised to not borrow or share your cosmetics. Another point is to just use common sense: any changes in texture or color are a sure sign it’s time to replace a product, and if you can’t remember when you bought a product (or the last time you used it), it’s probably a good idea to throw it out!

Below are basic shelf life guidelines for your cosmetics and skin care product:
Liquid foundation, 6 months to 1 year
Mascara, 3 to 4 months
Lip gloss and lipstick, 1 to 2 years
Eye/lip pencils, at least 1 year and up to 3
Facial cleansers and moisturizers, 6 months to 1 year
Anti-aging and acne treatments, 3 months to 1 year
Body lotion, 2 to 3 years
Hair styling products, 3+ years

So after researching the shelf life of cosmetics I have concluded that it all comes down to plain old common sense!

For wonderful homemade skin care recipes, including body scrubs, toners, facial peels, clay masks, etc., visit Complete Skin Care Therapy

About the Author
Carol Belanger, author of 300+ Skin Care Recipes

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Skin Care Products And Shelf Life

By Guest Blogger Anita Grant of AnitaGrant.com.

WHAT ON EARTH IS A SHAMPOO BAR? Well, it is exactly the same as your normal liquid shampoo. The difference, other than the fact that it’s solid, is the fact that the bars are created using only the gentlest and completely natural ingredients, that your hair will absolutely love.

By Guest Blogger Anita Grant of AnitaGrant.com.

An easy recipe that will help to remove build up, restore the natural pH balance & rejuvenate your scalp. Suitable for all hair types.

By Guest Blogger Anita Grant of AnitaGrant.com.

For Treating Dandruff:
Honey is a natural anti inflammatory — mix a dab of honey with a little water and a couple of drops of Lavender or Ylang-Ylang and apply directly to the itchy, flaky area(s). Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse off or not — it’s your choice.

By: Guest Blogger Anita Grant of AnitaGrant.com.

It is the flowering plant (nectar or plant sap) that gives honey it’s distinct flavour, colour, extra nourishment and/or individual beneficial properties.
Bees can also create their own blends of honey from various flowering plants in any one particular field.

Bees add a lot of moisture & enzyme compounds to nectar, the sugars of the honey nectar are broken down to form simple sugars – some of which are converted into a naturally occurring acid called gluconic acid. This is what gives each particular type of honey it’s rich distinctiveness & flavour from mild to bland to full on powerful to sickly pungent. (Note: There are synthetically made gluconic acids available too, so read the label & ask questions if you’re unsure).

The colour of the honeys can range from deep black to beige or white. Each of the colours are created in the nectar of the plant, it is then transported back by the bee to the hive, then the bees do their natural stuff by reducing the moisture level. When the honey is darker it means that it has come from a nectar source where the flowering plant produces a darker plant sap.

By Guest Blogger Anita Grant of Anita Grant.com.

• Use either Apple Cider Vinegar OR Coconut Vinegar as a final hair rinse to get rid of scalp build up to help remove the sticky stuff that commercial (SLES or SLS layden) shampoos can leave behind.
• Use undilluted Beer Vinegar to cure toe nail fungus (eeekkk!!! – I know but it worked for a friend of mine).
• Add one-half cup of Sweet & Savoury herb vinegar to warm bath water for softer skin and a cleaner bath tub!
• To relieve dandruff add a few tablespoons of Honey Vinegar or Honeygar, a dash of Organic Nettle or Horsetail herbs and half a cup of warm water to a bowl. Stir well for 10 minutes, strain and pour the liquid on your hair. Massage it well into your scalp. Wait a few minutes, then rinse & wash hair as normal. After a few days you’ll notice the dandruff disappear.

My favourite blast from the past is the Honey Rose & Vinegar Hair Rinse – which can be used as a pre OR post rinse to restore the natural pH balance & rejuvenate your scalp.

Suitable for all hair types.

60ml of Apple Cider Vinegar OR Coconut Vinegar
945ml of Water
10g of Dried Pink Rose Petals & Buds (add more if you wish)
1 drop of honey (add a few drops more if you wish)

Prep Time: 20 mins

What you will need:
* 1 Large Pyrex jar or bowl
* Cling film
* 1 Clean & dry glass Jar with lid
* 1 Strainer
* Kettle to boil the water

1. Put the Dried Pink Rose Petals & Buds into the bowl & add Honey
2. Boil the kettle. Once boiled pour the hot water over the Rose & Honey mix, then add the Apple Cider Vinegar.
3. Stir the mixture, cover the bowl with cling film and let steep for 10 minutes or until cool.
4. When the mixture has cooled sufficiently strain the herb from the liquid into the jar.
5. Pour the liquid over the scalp allowing the mixture to saturate your hair, message gently for 2 minutes
6. Rinse with cold water to seal the cuticles
Only make enough for 1 rinse and use it FRESH on the day you make it.

NOTE:
Keep your eyes closed when using the Honey Rose & Vinegar Hair Rinse also do not use if you have broken skin.

By Guest Blogger Anita Grant of AnitaGrant.com.

By Guest Blogger Anita Grant of AnitaGrant.com.

You’re healed!
Smooth a little Honeygar on cracked, dried skin to help it heal.

Dishwasher Love…
Just put one cup of vinegar in your dishwasher and let it run for one cycle. Do this monthly to reduce soap build-up on glassware.

A spot of Tea or Coffee, perhaps?

If you’re a tea or coffee drinker and you have a dirty tea or coffee pot simply boil 1 part water and 1 part vinegar in your tea or coffee pot and while the liquid is warm wipe away the stains.

Don’t make a spectacle of yourself…
Use a drop of vinegar on a cotton cloth to clean your eye glasses.

Antz and I don’t mean the movie!
Last month we were over-run with Ants. So in the morning before hanging the clothes out to dry I poured vinegar all around the back garden doors and the results were brilliant. I just bent over and watched those pesky critters approach the house and then retreat.

Laundry duty…
To brighten those whites add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle.

Grease just ain’t the WORD!
To remove grease from clothing just dip a toothbrush in vinegar and gently brush over the greasy spot.

Tights or Hose?
For longer-lasting pantyhose or tights (as we called them over here) add one tablespoon of vinegar to the rinse cycle.

Get Fresh!
Make your own airspray by mixing two cups of White Wine vinegar with one cupful of your favourite crushed herbs like lavender, cloves, pine needles, ginger, cinnamon etc.. Place the ingredients in a saucepan and boil gently for 10 minutes then leave to cool. Pour into a large jar with a close fitting lid. Leave to stand for three weeks. Strain and add the mixture to a spray bottle or atomiser. Use it in the same way as you would with any other commercial air spray.

Treat your achy, breaky feet!
Dilute one part ACV to five parts water and use it as an antiseptic to soothe achy blistered feet or better yet – use the same combination as a foot soak.

Out of the sun…
Cool down a painful sunburn by gently applying full strength vinegar to your skin.

Flower Power!

Excellent for fresh cut flowers. Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 1 teaspoon sugar to 150 ml of water.

Listen up!
For clean ears dip a cotton cloth in a mixture of ACV and distilled water and wipe around your ears and you’re sqeaky clean again.

By Guest Blogger Anita Grant of AnitaGrant.com.

Coconut and Cane Vinegars which are very common in India, the Phillipines and Indonesia. Coconut Vinegar is made from the sap of the coconut whereas Cane Vinegar is made from the sap of the sugar cane. Both are used in cooking, both have a cloudy white appearance and a sharp acidic taste.
Honey Vinegar also known as honeygar, it’s a blend of apple cider vinegar & anti-bacterial Manuka honey.
Beer Vinegar created from beer brewed in the Netherlands, Germany & Austria. The flavour depends on the type of beer, hops & barley used and of course where & how it’s made.
Chinese black vinegar which is made from a combination of rice, wheat, sorghum and/or millet with an inky black colour.
Fruit vinegar which is an infusion of whole raspberries, blueberries, figs, blood red oranges & pears added to red wine vinegar.
Sweet & Savoury Herb vinegars are an infusion of whole herbs, such as thyme, basil, chamomile, rose buds,lavender, rosemary or oregano. These vinegars can be made at home all you have to do is add a couple of sprigs of fresh or dried herbs to store-bought wine or white distilled vinegars. This will usually leave you with a light colour.
Malt vinegar which is the result of grain, softened by steeping in water and then allowed to germinate. Germination causes the natural enzymes to become active.
White Wine Vinegar created through the acetous fermentation of a selected blend of white wines. It’s clear and goldish with a distinctly acidic taste and an aroma.
Rice or Rice Wine Vinegar obtained from the fermentation of sugars derived from rice.
Red wine vinegar, which is created by the fermentation of a selected blend of red wines.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST IS…
Balsamic Vinegar of Modena in Italy which are made from the white sugary Trebbiano grapes. The grapes are cooked and then matured by a long and slow vinegarization process of natural fermentation and aging. This process takes place in a series of casks made from different types of wood from around the region. Balsamic Vinegar has a dark brown colour, with a distinct, complex and sharp acidic flavour.
I have yet to use Balsamic Vinegar in my hair or on my skin but when I do I will provide an update and more importantly a recipe!