Are your cosmetics past their use-by date?

Dr. Jean Munro, Medical Director at the Breakspear Hospital in Hertfordshire, is more specific. 'Chemical ingredients such as fragrance and preservatives can cause allergic reactions in some people. The human body simply can't cope with many of these man-made substances. As a result we're now seeing an increasing number of people who are suffering from "chemical sensitivity" caused by overexposure to everyday amounts of common chemicals in cosmetics, toiletries and body care products.'

'Symptoms vary from person to person and may include skin irritations, rashes, eczema, headaches, lethargy and gastrointestinal abnormalities,' says Dr Munro. But despite these words of caution, it's worth remembering, that most cosmetics don't breed bacteria easily because they are packed with preservatives. It's the chemicals in these that cause the countless allergies, irritations and reactions in some people.

Shelf life checklist Confused about when to chuck out all those old bits of make up? Then follow the recommendations below from Ariane Poole, leading make up artist and the Beauty Presenter on GMTV. These guidelines are based on a product that's just been opened, assuming that it's been kept in optimum conditions such as in a cool, dry place and out of direct sunlight.

Mascara
Shelf Life: Three-six months
Mascaras should always be used fairly quickly once they're opened because they're easily contaminated by the pumping action of the brush. This can force bacteria further into the container where the moist, wet environment is ideal for bacteria to thrive.