Luckily, most reputable skincare products use a robust preservative system that ensures they won’t become dangerous to use, even if it’s past a year or two. In general, I always recommend using a product up within 12-18 months after opening for maximum results (and to get the most bang for your buck!). get instant access to expert advice, insider interviews, giveaways, quizzes, and more. Get 2x reward points on our most loved brands. Even if you opt for a more luxe brand of shampoo, most companies offer oversized bottles that over time are more cost-effective than spending money on a new bottle of hair wash every month. Though not everyone is pro-blush (you might be more in the bronze or highlighter camp), this beauty product tends to last a while, making you look brighter and sometimes, even younger. That’s when you’ll want to toss it out. I hate moisturisers in a jar but the only one I can use does come in a jar (ugh!) If you have not opened the skin-care product and it’s past its PAO (period after opening) date, we recommend opening it up and inspecting the formula to see if there is a change in texture, color or smell. Most skincare products guarantee safety and freshness for one year, though some can last up to two years, and others will be good for less (especially if they’re organic products). “If the color, smell or texture changes or looks wrong, or if the product separates, splurge for a new bottle,” she explains. Most people become pretty loyal to their trusted moisturizer and you should be equally as dedicated to making sure your old faithful is still going strong. If you shop from our website, your order is shipped directly from our warehouse in Austin, Texas. Give it to a friend or family member for who it might be a better fit. In general, I always recommend using a product up within 12-18 months after opening for maximum results (and to get the most bang for your buck!). “While the active ingredients might lose some of their stability, like vitamin C, or potency over time, if the product looks unaffected, it is not harmful to use for at least a year,” she says. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Some ladies don’t feel like their best self until they have some color on their pucker, and if that’s you, you probably have a signature shade. It gets shuffled to the back of your cabinet or bottom of a drawer, collecting dust until you rediscover it months later. In Europe, any cosmetic product that has a lifespan of less than 30 months must show a "Best before the end of" date. if ( localStorage.getItem(skinItemId ) ) { If it’s ultimately not the right fit for your. A few common culprits confirmed by the FDA are, dipping your fingers directly into face cream. Required fields are marked *. We’re talking serums, moisturisers, masks, cleansers, eye creams – all of which have expiry dates, and all of which can become ineffective, or worse – contaminated – if not stored correctly. _g1 = document.getElementById('g1-logo-inverted-source'); What Are Free Radicals? Need an article on makeup (probably is one!) Once this happens, they no longer deliver the same activity of antioxidants and will become less effective. , sunscreen MUST include an expiration date on the packaging unless it’s been proven to stay stable for up to three years. Once this happens, they no longer deliver the same activity of antioxidants and will become less effective. How to tell if it’s bad: Try to think of your bottle of sunscreen in the same context you might consider that carton of milk in the fridge. Be sure to follow expiration dates on sunscreen closely or, if your sunscreen doesn’t come with an expiration date, throw it out after three years. While we can’t offer you any tips that will make a product last past its expiration date, there are a few things you can do to avoid decreasing their shelf life. “Because they are more easily contaminated with acne, causing bacteria or yeast,” she explains. If a product smells or looks off, it’s a sure sign that you should part ways with it. The one exception is sunscreen, which is considered a drug since it serves a medical purpose. There are two main symbols used to indicate how long a skincare product will last. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. I'm guilty of keeping products way past their expiry...oops! I know it can be hard for you to let go of your favourite product, like the perfect eyeshadow palette or lipstick, but try to think that after a few months this product that was your best friend can become your skin’s enemy. “Most products that do not have an expiry date generally have a shelf life of 12 to 36 months.”, Most skin care products will have a PAO (Period After Opening) symbol on the packaging.