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 Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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