The global skincare market is expected to reach $189 billion by the end of 2025. Although you may be head-over-heels in love with your go-to body wash, can you still use that one-of-a-kind body scrub you bought years ago?
Keep reading, and we'll tell you what you need to know about the shelf life of skincare.
Key Takeaways
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Yes, skincare products do expire. Most of the time, their expiry date or shelf life depends on the type of product.
- Using expired skincare products can lead to breakouts, redness, irritation, or inflammation.
- Look for the "period after opening" or expiration date on the packaging or labels of your products.
- Changes in the smell, consistency, or appearance can mean that a product has expired.
See Related: What Is Linoleic Acid in Skincare? The Key to Clear and Healthy Skin
Do Skincare Products Expire?
Although your mom might swear by a face cream she bought 10 years ago, odds are that cream is no longer in its prime. Skincare products, including that 10-year-old face cream, do expire after some time.
So, yes - skincare products do expire, just like with food or medicine. Although expired skincare products may not cause stomach aches, they can lead to skin irritation or allergic reactions.
What Happens if You Use Expired Skincare Products?
Some people have the misconception that using expired skincare products isn't a big deal. After all, it can't give you an upset stomach or headaches. But it can still have some consequences!
Remember that your skin plays a crucial role in your overall wellness and well-being. It's your largest organ, and it acts as a protective shield against things like dirt, UV rays, bacteria, and wind. And you can nurture and support your skin barrier by using skincare products!
So, if those skincare products are expired or past their prime, they won't nourish and heal your skin barrier in the way they should. Instead, they can harm or compromise your skin barrier, which is the opposite of what they should be doing.
If you use expired skincare products, you may experience any of the following:
- Breakouts
- Redness
- Irritaiton
- Allergic reactions
- Inflammation
- Swelling
- Dermatitis
- Infections
Bonus: What Are Neurocosmetics? How Skincare Communicates With Your Brain
How Can You Tell if a Skincare Product Has Expired?
As soon as you break the seal of a skincare product, the product is prone to bacteria growth. The ingredients, chemical composition, and formula can start to spoil and break down, which can affect their effectiveness and purity.
But how can you tell if a skincare product has expired? After all, not all products have the same shelf life or expiration date. That's why you need to find the PAO (period after opening). The PAO tells you how long after a product is opened that it's still good.
"Period After Opening" & Things to Look Out For
You can find the PAO of a product by looking on the container or packaging. It may have a 6M, 12M, or 24M. This refers to the number of months that the product is good. For example, a product with a PAO of 6M means that it can be used for 6 months after it is opened.
But sometimes, it can be hard to find a PAO, especially if you don't have the packaging or label for the product anymore. If that's the case, try to keep track of when you opened the product - you can label it with a marker.
Otherwise, look out for these telltale signs that your skincare product has gone bad:
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Smell: A change in the smell can signify that the product has gone bad.
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Consistency: Be aware of changes in consistency, such as curdling or separation.
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Color: Changes in color or appearance can also mean that the product has expired.
If you notice any of these changes in smell, consistency, or color, it might be time to toss your product into the wastebasket!
What Affects a Product’s Shelf Life?
Now that you can tell when your skincare or cosmetics have gone bad, it's time to review what can affect the shelf life of your products.
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Fingers, applicators, or brushes: Your fingers contain bacteria and oil that can cause your products to break down or spoil more quickly. The same goes for reusing applicators or brushes. Be sure to wash your hands, applicators, or brushes before scooping out the product.
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Temperatures: Try to keep your products at a stable temperature.
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Sunlight: Try to also keep your products out of direct sunlight, which can break down the formula.
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Oxygen: Remember- as soon as you open a product, the clock starts ticking!
Keep in mind that products with active ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, or glycolic acid are more vulnerable to things like fluctuating temperatures, direct sunlight, or oxygen.
Are Certain Types of Products More Likely to Go Bad Sooner?
Yes! Different types of products have different ingredients that have different shelf lives. Products that are made with preservative-free, organic, or natural ingredients may expire faster. Products with pump bottles may have a longer shelf life because they're less exposed to bacteria and oxygen.
Here's a quick guide to help you know the general shelf life of different types of products.
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Cleansers, body washes, or scrubs: 1 year
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Toners: 6 months to 1 year
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BHA or AHA exfoliants: 1 year
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Facial or body moisturisers: 6 months to 1 year
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Serums: 6 months to 1 year
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Eye creams or treatments: 6 months to 1 year
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Acne treatment: 6 months to 1 year
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Lip balm: 1 year
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Sunscreen: 1 year
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Mascara or eye makeup: 2 to 3 months
Keep Reading: How to Use Facial Oil in Your Skincare Routine
People Also Ask
Is It Okay to Use Expired Skincare?
In general, it's best to play it safe. You never know if expired or old skincare will leave you with more problems than solutions. It's not recommended to use expired skincare products, as they could cause potential skin irritation, allergic reactions, or infections in some serious cases.
Can You Still Use Skincare After 12 Months?
It depends on whether your skincare expires after 12 months or not! Each product or formula has a different shelf life, so while some skincare products can be effective after 12 months, others may have already expired. Before using a skincare product you've had stashed away for over 12 months, look for a "12M" on the label - this indicates that the product has a 12-month shelf life.
How Long Before Skincare Goes Bad?
That depends entirely on the product and its shelf life. Some products go bad after 6 months, while others can last upwards of 3 years. A general rule is that cleansers, scrubs, and washes typically expire after 1 year, toners last 6 months to 1 year, and chemical exfoliants have a shelf life of 1 year.
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