Value Village ／ Beauty
This answer is a draft. It stays unpublished until legal review and source verification are complete.
Mascara and eyeliner are used right next to the eye, the most delicate mucous membrane on the body. "How long can I keep it?" and "Can I share it?" come up constantly in expat forums. In Japan, eye problems linked to make-up are reported to eye doctors and to the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan.
| Product | Guide after opening | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Mascara | 3 months | The brush carries air and bacteria in every time it goes in and out |
| Liquid eyeliner | 3–6 months | Same as above |
| Pencil eyeliner | About 1 year (sharpen before use) | Sharpening renews the surface |
| Powder eyeshadow | 1–2 years | Dry, so bacteria grow slowly. Wash the applicators and brushes |
| Cream eyeshadow | 6 months–1 year | Touched with the fingers |
| False-eyelash glue | 6 months after opening; follow the label | Many reports of dermatitis |
[Verify] The after-opening guides are general figures based on maker and Japan Cosmetic Industry Association guidance. Check the licence requirement for eyelash extensions against the MHLW notice.
Bacterial growth in mascara cannot be seen. Replace at 3 months, or sooner if it clumps or starts to dry out.
Adding water makes bacteria grow faster, and the ingredients of a skin lotion are not designed to go in the eye. When it dries out, replace it.
It can cause eye infections such as conjunctivitis. Do not share eye make-up, and at the counter use disposable brushes and applicators on testers.
Liner on the inner rim of the lashes can block the glands and cause dry, inflamed eyes. Drawing it outside the lash line is the safer choice.
The main ingredient of the glue is cyanoacrylate, and there are reports of dermatitis, red eyes and corneal damage. Patch-test it, and have extensions applied by a licensed professional. If anything goes wrong, see an eye doctor (眼科, ganka) straight away.
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https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/kenkou_iryou/kenkou/seikatsu-eisei/
https://www.kokusen.go.jp/
https://www.gankaikai.or.jp/
⚠️ Editorial note: the source URLs above were identified by search. Our working environment cannot reach go.jp domains, so the contents have not been checked against the text. Verify every source before publication and record who checked it and when.
What we share here are ideas and everyday practices passed down among people living in Japan, together with general information drawn from public sources. They are not official recommendations, and they are not professional instruction. Practices vary between households and regions.
This is general information. Results vary from person to person and depend on your own conditions and surroundings.
Please decide for yourself, using your own judgement, whether any of this suits your situation. We cannot accept responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from following this article.
Cosmetics are not medicines and are not meant to diagnose, heal or prevent any condition. If your skin reacts, stop using the product and see a dermatologist.
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