A fifth of women hoard their make-up for more than five years, risking blood poisoning, urine infections and gastroenteritis, a survey has found.
Some 25 per cent of those polled admitted to keeping their mascara for up to one year, despite warnings by health and beauty experts to replace it every three months.
And 20 per cent said they keep their cleanser for at least one year ? twice as long as recommended.
Almost 10 per cent use lipsticks more than three years old ? two years beyond its expiration date.
The poll comes after a study by London Metropolitan University found old cosmetics contain unsafe levels of potentially lethal bacteria.
After testing five products including a blusher, foundation and lip gloss, researchers discovered enterococcus faecalis bacteria ? one of the mains cause of meningitis.
Other potentially-deadly bacteria found included eubacterium, which causes bacterial vaginosis and aeromonas, one of the causes of gastroenteritis and wound infections.
Researchers also discovered staphlyoccocus epidermidis, a nasty bug which is resistant to antibiotics as well as propionibacterium, one of the main causes of acne and other skin conditions.
Moreover, the tests revealed enterobacter, which causes urinary and respiratory tract infections.
And while the new survey, carried out by beauty company LiB Group, highlighted the health risks of keeping make-up past its sell by date, having a professional makeover fared little better.
Some 7 per cent of those questioned said their makeover experience was ′horrendous′, with one woman contracting viral conjunctivitis afterwards.
This to a detached retina - which can cause blindness.
Another likened her new look to ′Malibu Barbie′ adding ?there was a lot of pink? and a third claimed she ended up looking like a ′jaundiced drag queen′.
An over-enthusiastic makeover with an eyebrow pencil by one in-store beautician led to one woman questioned to observe ′my eyebrows were made to look like the Nike logo′.
Katie Tillard, Chief Operating Officer for LiB Group said: ′We all have one or two unusual items in our beauty collection but it?s clear from this research that lots of women also keep stuff they just don?t use.
′We advise that women should listen to their friends when it comes to the latest beauty recommendations, and should try sample sizes so that if you don?t end up liking it, you?ll be saving on space in your make-up bag and money in your wallet,′ said Ms Tillard.
The poll also revealed the most unusual items women keep in their make-up bags, including horse shampoo, KY jelly ′to use as hair gel′, a screwdriver and cat biscuits.
Other peculiar objects included guitar plectrums, pubic hair dye and a hamster grooming brush.
The research questioned 5,000 women across the UK about their beauty habits.
One woman said: ′I use cat biscuits to distract my cat whilst I try to do make-up. He likes to play with the brushes,′
Another confessed to keeping a tube of haemorrhoid cream handy ? to rub on the bags under her eyes.
The survey suggested women?s habits are evolving when it comes to shopping for cosmetics, with over half (51 per cent) questioned saying they also now use the internet to purchase beauty products.
Related News
Top 10 Unknown Beauty Tips and Tricks
11 Realistic Methods of Stress Management
Everyday Medications You Should Never Take When You Exercise
8 Time-Saving Meal Prep Ideas Nutritionists Actually Use
Brain health food guide for older adults
12 Benefits of Hair Spa Treatment
7 Healthy Hacks for Your Pumpkin Spice Latte
Mans lips exploded after he became 'addicted' to fillers
Most Read
★The Brilliant Food Combo That Helps You Burn More Fat
★23 foods that contain NO calories
★5 Dairy-Free Cheese Options Worth Trying
★5 Tips to Take Care of Your Sensitive Skin
★How to Set Weight-Loss Goals You Can Actually Achieve
★Skin tone linked to fruit and vegetable consumption
★5 Common Mistakes that May Ruin Your Skin
★5 Yoga Poses that Can Give You a Glowing Skin
★Medication Management Tips
★How to exercise outdoors, when the smogs a killer
★The amazing and healthy benefits of meditation!
★6 Best Oils for a Naturally Clear and Glowing Skin
★Take care of your coloured hair with Wella
★Face Scrubs and Face Packs
★Breathe Right to Live a Healthier and Better Life
★Growing Propagating and Using Aloe Vera
★Top 3 Core Exercises While Pregnant
★12 Real Amazing Benefits Of Skipping For Weight Loss
★Brain health food guide for older adults
★Looking towards India for design
★Dairy and vitamin D supplements protect against bone loss
★7 Filling Foods to Keep Belly Fat at Bay
★5 surprising beauty benefits of amla
★Top 10 Unknown Beauty Tips and Tricks
★Heres why you should go sulphate-free with your hair care
★5 Reasons Cheese is Actually Good For Your Health
★Research reveals surprising health benefits of chewing your food
★9 Simple Yoga Asanas & Tips for Weight Loss
★10 Surprising Things That Can Cause You to Lose Muscle
★Know why milk should be a part of your beauty regimen
★Carbohydrates and sugars
★The tangy taste of Banaras
★5 Skincare resolutions for 2019 that you must keep
★Why and how exercises reduce the risk of CANCER?
★Skin tone linked to fruit and vegetable consumption
★Humans evolved to benefit from fermented foods
★15 Powerful Asanas of Yoga to Reduce Belly Fat
★The health benefits of popular foods
★Fruitylicious cure for ageing skin
★Top 5 foods for glowing skin
★Natural Ways to Remove Blackheads on Face and Nose
★Using Kalonji Seeds for Weight Loss
★Expert reveals the snacks you should eat, according to your body type
★Correlation Between Almonds and Weight Gain
★Vitamin reverses aging in organs and muscles
★Top Foods for Calcium and Vitamin D
★Man has lived with giant neck for 13 years after going to doctors for help
★The Simple 20-Minute Habit That Could Save Your Life
★Whole-body vibration may be as effective as regular exercise
★Do you want to be paid for sleeping well at night?