WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE EXPIRATION OF YOUR BEAUTY PRODUCTS
Products sitting in a drawer for too long? Not sure whether you can still use them safely? Superskin breaks it down for you:
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF A PRODUCT IS NO LONGER SAFE TO USE?
BY CHECKING THE TIME INDICATOR
You will usually find a small symbol on the packaging of your beauty products (generally an hourglass or an open jar with a time indication, e.g.: 6M = 6 months) indicating the expiration period after opening the product. It is therefore important to note the date when you open your product and the date after which you should no longer use it.
AVERAGE SHELF LIFE OF BEAUTY PRODUCTS
BY A VISUAL OR SENSORY INDICATOR
If your product has changed in smell, color, or texture, it is a sign that the preservatives are no longer working effectively. It is time to throw it away.
HOW CAN YOU PRESERVE YOUR PRODUCTS FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE?
Your storage method as well as how you use the product will greatly determine its longevity.
It is best to store your products in a cool, dry place away from light. If you leave your products exposed in your bathroom—which is the warmest and most humid place in our homes—it will significantly reduce their shelf life.
Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly beforehand before using any product that comes in a jar. This will prevent contamination of the jar and therefore of your product.
Close the caps tightly and properly.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF USING AN EXPIRED PRODUCT?
First of all, expired cosmetics will simply have reduced effectiveness, or a degraded texture or color.
If you exceed the recommended usage period by too much, your expired skincare products may compromise your skin barrier, which is more problematic because a strong skin barrier is the key to healthy, beautiful skin.
The most serious case is bacterial proliferation: here you must be careful, as you risk an infection—acne, conjunctivitis, redness, rash… water-based or biphasic products become contaminated more quickly, while oil-based products tend to oxidize.