When Do Skincare Products Expire?

Your skin is the first line of defense against exposure to the sun, germs, extreme cold, and toxic substances.1 However, it can also become easily damaged. Sunscreen and other skincare products can help protect your skin and keep it strong and healthy.

Some skincare products can degrade or expire over time. This can cause the products to become less effective and potentially develop bacteria that can put you at risk for skin infection or irritation.2 There are a few ways to know how long your skincare products will last, if they’re expired, and how to help them last longer.

How Long Will Your Skincare Last?

The type of skincare product, how it’s used, and where it’s stored all influence the product’s shelf life. However, no specific guidelines determine the shelf life of cosmetics or general skincare products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers it the manufacturer’s responsibility to determine a product’s shelf life.2

Some products show a “period after opening” symbol (PAO). This symbol is often on the lid or the seam of a tube and contains a number before the letter M. So, a PAO symbol of 6M would mean that your skincare product lasts six months after it’s opened. Using a PAO symbol is not required in the United States, though more companies are starting to adopt the practice.3

The FDA requires expiration dates on sunscreens, acne medications, and moisturizers that contain SPF because the FDA classifies these products as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.4 For instance, the FDA requires sunscreens to maintain their original strength for at least three years.52

If you purchase sunscreen and the expiration date is missing, dermatologists recommend writing the date of purchase on the container. This way, you know to throw the sunscreen out in three years. Using sunscreen after the expiration date can put you at risk for sunburn or other skin damage.36

Factors That Influence Shelf-Life

After you open a skincare product, it will start to degrade over time, especially as it is exposed to air and changing temperatures. This, along with other factors, can cause microorganisms to grow and multiply, potentially causing irritation, infections, and rashes. Factors that influence the shelf-life of your skincare products include:2

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Shelf life and expiration dating of cosmetics.

Application method: Using your fingers to remove moisturizers, creams, and salves from jars can expose the skincare product to bacteria and fungi (such as mold and yeast) on your hands. Using the same applicator repeatedly without cleaning it can also expose the skincare product to bacteria and fungi.

Exposure to moisture: Exposing your skincare products to moisture, such as in a warm, steamy bathroom, can encourage bacteria and fungi to grow.

Type of product: For similar reasons above, water-based products are more prone to bacteria growth than powder-like products.

Changing temperatures: Allowing your skincare products to experience fluctuating temperatures can cause products to separate, dry out, or change textures.

Long-term storage: Keeping skincare products longer than recommended allows preservatives to break down and weakens their ability to control microorganisms.

Multiple users: Sharing products can influence the self-life of a skincare product and expose it to additional bacteria and fungi.

Preservatives: Natural or organic products without preservatives usually have a short shelf-life.

Signs Your Product Has Expired

You may be hesitant to throw out skincare products, especially if they are expensive or if there is a lot of product left. One study found that more than half (55%) of people do not usually throw away their makeup or skincare products. This practice puts you at risk for several skin-related irritations.7

Every few months, take a closer look at your skincare products. Check each product’s PAO symbol or expiration date and evaluate the color, consistency, and smell. You may want to consider tossing the product if it:35

Has a different color or texture than when you bought it

Exhibits changes in consistency

Has noticeably separated

Looks or feels dry, flaky, or crumbly

Feels different on your skin

Has a bad odor or smells funny

Health Risks of Using Expired Products

Using expired skincare products puts you at risk for several skin or health conditions. For instance, using old products that have lost their effectiveness may lead to irritated skin, sunburn, an allergic skin reaction, or another unexpected side effect.3

Bacteria and fungi can also contaminate your skincare products as you use them over time. Not disposing of the products in a timely manner can put you at risk for rashes, acne breakouts, eczema, and other skin conditions.3

You could also develop a skin infection, such as impetigo (a contagious skin infection typically caused by Streptococcus or Staphylococcus bacteria) or folliculitis (hair follicle inflammation).3

Tips For Storing and Caring For Your Products

The best way to store your skincare products to stay fresh and germ-free is to keep them at room temperature and out of direct sunlight. Some options include a cabinet, drawer, or lidded box.35

Some people use cosmetic refrigerators, which are very small fridges that keep your products at a consistent temperature. These devices are especially useful for natural products that do not contain preservatives. Cold temperatures help keep products cool and dry and can help slow the breakdown of certain ingredients, like vitamin C, which oxidizes easily.8

Other tips for storing your products include the following:32

Avoid storing your products in the bathroom, where it gets humid and moist

Replace the caps and lids to your skincare product containers to keep the contents from getting contaminated

Keep your products at a consistent temperature when traveling. For instance, avoid leaving them in a hot car

Wash your hands before applying skincare products to reduce the risk of contamination

Don’t share your skincare products with other people

Use spatulas, sponges, and other utensils to apply skincare products, and clean them between uses

A Quick Review

The shelf life of your skincare products can vary depending on the type of product, how it’s used, and how it’s stored. To prolong the life of your products, keep them in a cool, dry place and try to avoid contamination. Using a spatula to get creams out of jars, avoiding sharing your products with others, and replacing caps and lids can help prevent bacteria growth.

Also, keep in mind that the FDA does not require expiration dates for products other than sunscreen, acne medications, and moisturizers with SPF. It is up to manufacturers to communicate this information and ensure safety. For this reason, some skincare companies use period after opening (POA) symbols to communicate how long a product will last after it’s opened.

If a product doesn’t have an expiration date or a POA symbol, you can look for signs that it has expired, such as its appearance, smell, and texture. Using expired products may lead to breakouts, skin infections, and allergies, so it’s best to toss them after expiration.

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.

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