Do Unopened Skincare Products Expire?
It’s undeniably a strange world we live in right now, but I can’t help but feel overjoyed when I see so many of you pampering and taking care of yourselves. Studies have shown that sales of personal care products have skyrocketed, and for good reason – there’s nothing more uplifting than feeling satisfied and relaxed in your own skin. With that in mind, I was curious if any of you had the same experience as me and decided to dig out all the products you thought were “too special” to use. For me, it was an extremely expensive and luxurious moisturizer that I bought for Christmas about a million years ago. Thinking there couldn’t be a better time than a gift, I opened it only to find out that it was actually expired… I was so upset that I locked the product away instead of using it. So today I’m digging a little deeper to see which skincare products expire, how to prevent them from expiring prematurely, and how long they can last before they unfortunately end up in the trash.
How long can unopened skincare products last?
If you pick up any skin or body care product and look at the packaging, you’ll find a little icon that looks like a jar with the lid peeling off at the top. In the middle of the jar there is a number between 6, 12, 24, 36 or 48. These numbers represent how many months the product must be used after it has been opened before it goes bad. Using expired products may cause skin irritation and may be less effective for people with sensitive skin. Some active ingredients, like vitamin C and salicylic acid, remain effective for a period of time but then become completely ineffective.
Now you may be wondering how long you will need to use unopened skincare products (especially after I told you my moisturizer horror story!), but if stored properly you can generally expect unopened skincare products to last between 3-5 years.
As a rule of thumb, unopened products can last up to five years as long as you do the following:
Store all skincare products in a cool, dark place – a dresser drawer is ideal.
If you don’t have the space or prefer to display your products, make sure they are away from windows or direct sunlight. It’s also a good idea to avoid radiators, as temperature fluctuations can affect product formulas.
Speaking of temperature fluctuations, it’s also a good idea to keep your products out of the bathroom. Although it may be difficult for some, try to only store cleansers and face washes there instead of storing serums, moisturizers, and other skin care products.
How to Know If Your Skin Care Products Are Expired?
There are a variety of ways to help you determine if your skin care products are expired. Below we explain the most common methods you can use to determine if you should use or throw away a product.
Of course, there are some signs that a product is expired:
The product has separated – if the product is a cream and you notice a layer of oil on the surface, it’s time to throw it away
It has a bad or unpleasant smell – this is a clear sign of an expired product
The texture has changed – similar to the separation problem when the consistency is no longer the same as when it was first opened
There is some discoloration – this can be very obvious for products containing vitamin C, which may take on a dark brown hue
There are signs of mold stains – they can be green, black, or blue and should be thrown away immediately
With many skin care brands taking steps to move towards organic and natural ingredient alternatives, it’s best to know that these products don’t have the shelf life of other products that contain preservatives. There is no right or wrong product you use, as long as they work for you. However, some experts recommend storing more natural products in the refrigerator for the best shelf life.
Can expired face cream still be used?
I can imagine this scenario: you have used up the last drops of your favorite moisturizer and are digging through the drawers to find a new one. You found one, but you are not sure how long you have had it, it smells nice and looks good, so you try it – nothing bad can happen, right? Well, I am sorry to say, but a lot of things can go wrong…
First of all, if you used the product and had to apply it with your fingers, you have most likely transferred multiple germs and bacteria from the formula, and applying this cream to your skin will only cause various skin reactions. You may also notice that the water that gets into the formula becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Not only will you find your skin breaking out, but products containing facial acids can cause inflammation, soreness, redness, dryness, and more! Instead of using expired products, I recommend going makeup-free for the entire day. This will not only protect your skin from unnecessary irritation, but also keep your skin healthy and overall appearance balanced.
Here’s how to store skincare products so they last longer
Here are some of our top tips for storing skincare products so they last longer.
Store unopened products in a cool, dark place.
Keep opened products away from direct sunlight and rooms with fluctuating heat and humidity (like bathrooms).
Also, make sure you wash your hands before applying skincare products.
When applying a product, don’t use your fingers to remove it from the container, but use a clean spatula to avoid cross contamination.
Make sure no water gets into the container as this can become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Store natural products in the fridge to keep them fresher for longer.
Use them as often as possible to avoid wastage.
Don’t keep products for special occasions, instead invest in some self-care and time for yourself.
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DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.