Does Body Glitter Expire? [And How Long Does It Last?]

Figuring out if a product has expired can be tricky at times. Do you want to use your body glitter but don't know if it is past its expiration date? Not to worry, we have all the information you need about body glitter and how long it lasts below.

Body glitter does expire depending on its ingredients. Generally, products with oil or cream formulas will eventually expire, so check the label if your body glitter contains these.

The average expiration time for oil and cream formulas is about 12 to 24 months, depending on how you store them. Most body glitter products do not contain ingredients that technically expire, so it's always good to do a patch test before applying.

As we begin, we will cover all things body glitter and tag some helpful related products. Whether you use body glitter often or want to try it for the first time, it's always a good idea to check a product's ingredients. With that said, let's discuss this topic!

What Is Body Glitter Made Of?

Generally, body glitter is a mix of acrylic or polyester and non-toxic plastics. One of the plastics commonly found in body glitter is polyurethane terephthalate (PET), which is non-toxic but can still cause skin irritation.

When it comes to body glitter containing aluminum, some options do, but we recommend against using it on the skin. Of course, not all body glitter is the same, so it's a good idea to make sure a product has good ingredients before purchasing.

Is Body Glitter Safe On Skin?

When it comes to the safety of body glitter on your skin, we say less is more. If you are having a fun photoshoot or want to stand out in the club, we think occasional body glitter is fine. Typically, too much of anything can turn bad, and the same goes for overusing body glitter on your skin. As we mentioned, most body glitters contain plastics and even aluminum, so try to moderate how often you use them.

How Do You Know When Cosmetics Expire?

Although each product is different, the smell is usually a dead giveaway for an experiment cosmetic. Usually, once a product goes bad, you can immediately tell by its change in scent and overall appearance. Another way to see if a product is expired is to test its texture and check for clumping or discoloration. Not all cosmetics expire the same way, but nine out of ten times, there will be a weird smell in an expired product.

How Can I Tell If My Body Glitter Has Expired?

Like any other cosmetic, body glitter will change color a bit and start to smell. Although many body glitter products won't technically go "bad," they will begin to feel weird on the skin. We recommend storing your cosmetics in a cool place regardless of what they are and regularly testing them.

What Is The Best Body Glitter?

When it comes to the best kind of body glitter, we recommend anything with natural or high-quality ingredients. We found that Fenty Beauty and Unicorn Snot make great body glitters that won't bother your skin. Although glitter is plastic, there are a few biodegradable options that are much better for the planet. In general, the more natural skincare products you use, the less risk of irritation or damage you are likely to have.

FENTY BEAUTY BY RIHANNA MINI FAIRY BOMB

Here is a high-quality body glitter from Fenty Beauty to try. This body glitter has a light shimmer finish, comes with an applicator, and has great online reviews.

Follow this link to see it on Amazon.

Unicorn Snot Biodegradable Holographic Body Glitter Gel

Here is a biodegradable body glitter gel from Unicorn Snot. This product is made with 100% renewable plant starch, is safe on hair and skin, and is cruelty-free and vegan.

Check this glitter out on Amazon here.

How Do You Get Glitter Off?

Although body glitter is fun to wear, it can be hard to remove. Regardless of the type of body glitter you use, washing it off might take some time. We recommend using a makeup wipe first and then hopping into the shower for a quick rinse-off. If you are having trouble getting your body glitter off, you might need to use an exfoliating glove or washcloth to pick up each glitter particle.

Bliss Makeup Melt Oil-Free Makeup Remover Wipes

Here we have an oil-free pack of makeup-removing wipes from Bliss to try. These wipes have chamomile, aloe, and marshmallow root to soothe skin and are vegan, paraben-free, and cruelty-free.

View these wipes on Amazon here.

Evridwear Exfoliating Dual Texture Bath Gloves

Here is a pair of gentle exfoliating bath gloves from Evridwear to remove body glitter. These gloves are textured, suitable for sensitive skin, and fit both men and women.

Click this link to see them on Amazon.

Can I Use Regular Glitter On My Body?

Although it might seem harmless, we do not suggest using regular glitter on your skin. Unlike body glitter, regular glitter can cause skin irritation and is more likely to contain harmful ingredients. Cosmetic glitter has skin-safe plastics in it, while regular glitter typically does not.

In general, glitter is not amazing for your skin, so the closer to cosmetic ingredients it has, the better. We recommend trying a shimmer lotion or body spray if you want to achieve a similar level of shine.

Egyptian Diamond Hair & Body Glitter Mist Spray

Here is a hair and body glitter mist spray from Egyptian Diamond to try on your skin. This product is easy to apply, hydrating, cruelty-free, and comes in a few different colors.

Follow this link to see it on Amazon.

Can You Use Regular Glitter On Your Face?

Similar to the skin on your body, we also do not recommend using regular glitter on your face. Considering the skin on your face is much more sensitive than your body, regular glitter can cause a lot of trouble. For starters, regular glitter is extremely rough on the skin and can cause micro-tearing on your face.

Think of glitter like an exfoliant, except it is potentially toxic and will end up irritating the area it is on. If you can, try to use only cosmetic glitter meant explicitly for the skin on your face.

All Over Glitter Balm

Here we have a glitter balm that is safe to use on your face. This glitter is cruelty-free, paraben-free, made in the USA, and promises to be non-toxic on the skin.

Check this glitter out on Amazon here.

How Do You Get Glitter To Stay On Your Body?

If you are having trouble keeping glitter on your body, there are ways to solve this problem. From what we read, trying a skin-safe adhesive or gel is the best way to keep your body glistening. Although there are plenty of products that promise to keep the glitter on your skin, try to find one that is sweat and water-resistant. Another way to keep the glitter on your body is to use a lotion with added glitter, so you don't have to buy additional products.

KARIZMA Glitter Glue Adhesive Body Cosmetic Makeup

Here is a skin-safe body glitter adhesive from KARIZMA to try out. This product has a peel-off formula, is safe on the face and body, and promises to last all day long.

See it on Amazon by clicking here.

Ownest Body Glow Glistening Bronze Illuminator

Here is a bronze body illuminator from Ownest to try on your skin. This body and face-friendly makeup is water-proof, metallic, and comes in a few different color options.

Follow this link to view it on Amazon.

What Glitter Do They Use In HBO's Show Euphoria?

For all our Euphoria fans, you know the importance of body glitter. After doing some digging, we found that an LA-based company called Lemonhead.LA is responsible for the gorgeous glitter used in the show. One of the cool features of this glitter is that it is completely vegan and cruelty-free.

Although this might not be an everyday makeup look for you, we think adding some glitter to your body or face is a great way to stand out in the crowd.

In Closing

Whether you love body glitter or haven't tried it, it's good to know when/if it expires. From what we found, an easy way to check if your product has gone bad is to smell it and check its color. Generally, expired products will start to discolor and become chunky or runny, so test your product on your hand before using it.

Another thing to consider is whether your body glitter is safe for the skin, so make sure to find a product with ingredients that won't harm you or cause irritation. Regardless of where you apply it, body glitter with oil or cream formula does expire, so make sure to check your product regularly.

Made it to the end? Head on over to these helpful related posts!

Can You Put Body Glitter In Your Hair?

11 Glitter Eyeliner Looks To Try Out

Bronzer Vs. Highlighter Vs. Luminizer - What's The Difference?