Do Skincare Products Expire? When? And How Will You Know?
I have received quite a few questions from patients and followers recently regarding the expiration dates of skincare. Does skincare expire? If so, when? What happens if I use an expired product? So, I have decided to dedicate this blog post to not only answering these questions but giving you tips on what will keep your skincare in its best quality for as long as possible, as well as some tips for gauging when it has inevitably “gone bad.” Let’s get into it!
For starters, yes, skincare products do absolutely expire. It’s critical to understand that using them beyond their expiration date isn't just about reduced efficacy (while this can be a common result); it can also lead to more not so fun consequences.They can also cause skin irritation, trigger allergic reactions, or even lead to infections. As the active ingredients degrade over time, the preservatives that keep the formula safe may also break down.
Why Do Skincare Products Expire?
Skincare products contain active ingredients that lose potency over time due to exposure to air, light, and bacteria. These products also contain preservatives designed to inhibit microbial growth, but these can degrade or become ineffective. When preservatives fail, products can become contaminated with bacteria or fungi, which can cause skin irritation, infections, or dermatological reactions.
Also, I do think it’s important to note that the timeline on these expiration dates will absolutely be pushed forward if we aren’t storing our skincare properly. I will go over this in a little more detail later in the blog when I discuss tips on prolonging the lifeline of the skincare products, but I did just want to emphasize here as well that how you store and treat your products matters!
Signs Your Skincare Products Have Expired
I should start this section off by noting that there is no one-size-fits-all answer for when a skincare product has expired. The shelf life of any given product can vary significantly depending on type of product (is it a Vitamin C, moisturizer, retinoid, etc.), its ingredients, the packaging, even the brand's formulation standards (and so much more)! With all of this being said, I do think it’s worth knowing a couple of variables that might indicate its expiration!
Change in Texture or Separation: A clear sign that a skincare product may have expired is a noticeable change in its texture. If creams or serums begin to separate into layers, or their consistency becomes watery or grainy, it's often a sign that the emulsion has broken down.
Off Smell: Just like you would test if a food product is “bad,” the smell is such a good indicator! If there is an off-putting smell (that wasn’t there before), this can be a big red flag that a product may no longer be good to use. This typically occurs when the ingredients start to decompose or when microbial growth is present ( no longer usable)!
Color Changes: This one can be a little trickier to detect, depending on the packaging. With that, significant color changes, especially in products containing light-sensitive ingredients like vitamin C or retinoids, suggest oxidation or ingredient degradation.
Irritation: Ok this one might come as an obvious, but if a product that previously suited your skin well suddenly starts causing irritation, redness, or discomfort, it might have expired or become contaminated.
General Timeline and Product Dependency:
Again, this is going to vary immensely based on product type, brand type, etc. Also, some products, particularly those with active ingredients like sunscreens or acne treatments, will have an expiration date printed directly on the package. However, I think it’s just nice to know a general timeline for skincare products to keep in the back of your mind!
Unopened Products: Again, probably obvious, but the timeline after opening a skincare product is going to be much different compared to a product that has never been opened! Typically, unopened skincare products are designed to last between 1 to 3 years, provided they are stored correctly (I can’t emphasize this enough). However, again, this can vary based on the product's formulation and packaging.
Opened Products: I honestly like to think about it as if the clock starts ticking once a product is opened. Oxidation and microbial exposure can rapidly affect a product's integrity. Vitamin C and retinoids, for example, should ideally be used within 3 to 6 months after opening, while more stable formulations like moisturizers and cleansers might last up to 12 months.
Pro Tip: Look for the PAO symbol on your product packaging, which looks like an open jar with a number followed by an "M." This indicates the number of months the product is safe to use after opening. For example, "12M" means the product should be used within 12 months after opening. Most products also have a batch code printed on the packaging, which you can enter into online tools like CheckFresh.com to find out when the product was manufactured and when it's likely to expire.
Also, this might be next level, but if you are one to cycle through a lot of products at once (ex. you have more than two opened moisturizers in your inventory), it might be worth labeling them when you open them!
Tips for Extending the Life of Your Skincare Products
Ok let’s be honest, we spend so much money on skincare, so we might as well keep our products “good” for as long as possible! Because like I mentioned before, the longevity of skincare products hinges on proper storage and usage. Here are a few things I like to keep in mind with extending the timeline of my products.
Storage: Keep your skincare products in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Hygiene: Always use clean hands to apply products from jars to prevent contamination. Avoid direct contact of the skin with droppers or applicators.
Seal after use: I don’t know about you, but I have absolutely been lazy before and not fully secured the lid on my Vitamin C or moisturizer after usage. For starters, you are exposing it to more air and for products like Vitamin C, which are particularly prone to oxidation, a proper seal is crucial to maintain their stability and efficacy. Quite frankly, this is just something so small that is just so important to be mindful of! Seal tightly!
I hope this inspires all of you to go check your expiration dates on all your products and to make sure everything is fully sealed and stored! I honestly love answering questions like these. Have any others? DM me, I would love to answer them in a podcast episode or future blog!
Hungry for more? Check out my Comprehensive Skincare Guide in the Skinthusiast Shop!
**Disclaimer: This post does not constitute medical advice. Please speak to your Dermatology provider before adding any at home procedures or products into your routine!
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