Make-up time bombs include discoloured or smelly lipsticks, mascara and eye pencils that can collect dangerous bacteria.

All beauty essentials have a best before date on them a picture of an open pot with a number indicating the months of safe use.

But a survey by Debenhams found 89% of women were unaware the information exists.

More than two-thirds only replace products when they run out. Nearly three-quarters never wash make-up sponges.

Ruth Attridge from Debenhams said: Women dont like throwing things away but you have to remember it is probably no longer doing its job properly and could well give you a nasty infection.