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 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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