Beauty products can often expire before the date printed on the package or they can last longer if they’re used and stored correctly. Find out when most old cosmetics really expire, based on their ingredients and their use.
When Do Natural and Organic Beauty Products Expire
Going through your beauty and makeup products, you should always pay extra attention to the natural and organic products, since they usually last less than the ones with preservatives.
Exposure to light and air can make them break down more quickly and changes in color, texture and smell are a sure sign that you should stop using them. Natural body lotions should be used in 6 months, while organic makeup can spoil in even 3 months.
Which Beauty Products Spoil the Easiest
Once you’ve checked your organic cosmetics along with the ones that contain very little or no chemical preservatives, it’s time to check any creams or products with antioxidants.
Whether they’re anti-aging or anti-acne, cosmetics that contain antioxidants like vitamin C, glycolic acid and retinol break down faster, especially when they’re not refrigerated. Make sure you pay extra attention to washing your hands before you use them to prevent exposing them to bacteria that can shorten their life span.
When Do Beauty Products Really Expire
Protecting your skin against harmful UVA and UVB rays shouldn’t rest solely on sunscreen, but you should always remember when you opened it. Sunscreen can lose the potency of its ingredients as little as 1 year, so you should get rid of it after that time.
Most lotions, shampoos and shower gels can last up to two years, whether they’re natural or contain chemical preservatives. Keep water out to extend their life span. Hair styling products usually last 2 years or more, especially if they contain alcohol, which keeps them fresh for a longer time.
Even if the expiration date hasn’t been reached, most makeup products, including nail polish, usually last for up to one year without any problems, but anything that you use on your lips shouldn’t stick around in your makeup bag for more than 6 months.
Perfume and cologne are some of the beauty products than need to be stored away from light, especially when they’re in glass bottles. Even so, don’t keep them around for more than 2 years.
Keep your most sensitive makeup and beauty products refrigerated, or at least stored in a cool, dry and dark place to make them last longer, but lose them once you notice any changes.
