24 per cent of women in the study also said they hadn’t purchased any eye make-up for more than six months, with 10 per cent not buying any eye make-up for two years.

The College of Optometrists is caution old eye make-up could put women’s eye health at risk. Many women keep mascara longer than the recommended three to six months, risking eye infections such as conjunctivitis and styes.

Dr Susan Blakeney optometric advisor of the College of Optometrists says, ‘Given the recent economic climate it’s understandable that women are looking to save money but worrying to see that so many are willing to risk their eye health in order to do so. Old, out-of-date makeup may harbour bacteria which can cause unpleasant and unsightly infections, mascara is the worst culprit as the pumping action of the brush can drive bacteria into the tube.

To avoid nasty eye infections it’s best to throw away your old make-up regularly, especially if it’s a ‘wet’ product such as mascara or liquid eyeliner