Do Unopened Skincare Products Expire?
There is no denying that the world we are currently living in is a strange one, but I can’t help but beam with joy when I see so many of you enjoying some pampering and self care time. Studies have shown sales in self care products have sky-rocketed, and with good reason as there is nothing more uplifting then feeling content and relaxed in your own skin. With this is mind I am interested to see if any of you have had the same experience as me and that is you have decided to dig out all those products that you deemed “too special” to use. For me, it was an extremely expensive and indulgent body cream I received about a million Christmases ago, I figured there was no time like the present and peeled it open only to discover it had well and truly expired…. I was so frustrated to have kept the product locked up instead of using it. So that is why today I am digging a little deeper and finding out which skincare products expire, how you can prevent them expiring too soon and how long their shelf life is before they sadly end up in the bin.
How long do unopened skincare products last?
If you were to pick up any skin or body care product and take a look at the packaging, you will find there is a small symbol that looks like a jar with the lid coming off the top. In the middle of the jar there will be a number ranging from six, 12, 24, 36 or 48. These represent the number of months you have to use the product once it is open before it goes off. Using a product after its use by date may cause some skin irritation to those with sensitive skin and can be less effective. Certain active ingredients, such as vitamin C and salicylic acid hold their potency for a certain amount of time, but after that they become completely useless.
Now, you are probably wondering how long you have to use unopened skincare products (especially after I’ve shared with you my body cream horror story!) and you can generally expect unopened skincare products to last 3-5 years if they are stored in the correct way.
The rule of thumb is the shelf life of unopened products is up to five years so long as you do the following;
Keep all skincare products stored in a cool, dark place- the drawers of a dresser are ideal
If you haven’t got the space, or prefer your products on display then ensure they are kept clear of any windows or direct sunlight. It is also a good idea to avoid radiators too as the heat fluctuation can interfere with product formula
Speaking of fluctuation of heat, it is also a good idea to keep products out of the bathroom. though this may be tricky for some, try and only keep your cleansers and face washes in there and not your serums, moisturisers and other treatment products.
How do you know if a skincare product is expired?
There are a number of ways that help you understand how you know if a skincare product is expired, below we share the most common ways you can determine whether you should use, or thrown away a product.
There are of course some signs a product has expired:
The product has separated- if the product is a cream and you find it has a layer of oil on the surface then it’s time to throw it out
It has a bad or rotten smell- quite the obvious sign of an expired product
The texture of the it has changed- much like the separation problem, if the consistency isn’t the same as then time you first opened it
There is some discolouration- this can be very obvious in products containing vitamin C which can turn a dark brown tone
There are signs of mould spots- they can be green, black or blue in colour and should be tossed out immediately
With many skincare brands taking steps towards organic and natural alternatives to ingredients, it is a good idea to understand that these products will not have the shelf life of others containing preservatives. There is no right or wrong to the products you use, as long as they work for you. However, with more natural products some experts have suggested to keep them in the fridge for an optimal life span.
Is it OK to use expired face cream?
I can imagine the scenario, you have used up the last drop of your all-time favourite moisturiser and scrabble through your drawers to find another. You find one, you’re not too sure how long you’ve had it, it smells and looks fine so you give it a go- nothing that bad can happen right? Well, I’m sorry to say this, but a lot can go wrong….
Firstly, if you have used the product and it requires you to apply it with your fingers, then chances are you transferred a plethora of germs and bacteria that have seeped their way into the formula and applying this cream onto the skin will only result in all manner of skin reactions. You may also find that if any water makes its way into the formula it will develop a breeding ground for bacteria. Not only will you find your skin erupts with imperfections, but products containing any face acids will also cause the skin to become irritated, sore, red and dry! I would suggest avoiding using any product that is expired and instead go bare faced for the day. This will not only save your skin from unwanted irritation but will keep the balance of the skin’s health and overall appearance.
How to store skincare products so they last longer
Here are some of our top tips when storing skincare products and help them last longer over time.
Keep the unopened products in a cool, dark place
For open products keep them away from direct sunlight and out of rooms that fluctuate in heat and moisture (e.g. bathrooms)
Also ensure your hands are washed and clean before using any skincare products
When applying a product ensure you are not using your fingers to take the product out of the pot, but use a clean spatula to prevent cross contamination
Make sure that no water makes its way into the container as this can develop into a breeding ground for bacteria
Keep natural products in the fridge to help them stay fresher for longer
Use them as frequently as possible to avoid them being wasted
Ensure you don’t safe products for special occasions, but instead invest in some selfcare and “you” time
So, there you have a little more investigation into whether skincare products expire, if you have any questions or wanted to join the other beauty insiders members, then come and join us on Instagram.
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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.
