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How long do face masks last? And, what's the shelf life of that luxe serum we've been trying to stretch out? These are the questions that occasionally cross our minds, before we push them away in lieu of keeping a beloved skincare product around longer. Having to toss a "perfectly good" skincare product because it's way passed the expiration point is no easy task—especially if you've paid more than a few pretty pennies for that bottle. While we may be tempted to hold onto products until they’re gone, or if we're just bargaining with the idea that we’ll "use them again someday," hanging on to skincare items like toners, moisturizers, and SPF can come with a price of its own, and according to the experts, it simply isn’t worth it.
We sat down with the cosmetic chemists and skincare experts Victoria Fu and Gloria Lu to find out when we should toss products, and why it’s bad to keep using them after they’ve expired.
When Do Products Expire Once Opened?
"Most products have a shelf life of two to three years,” Fu explains. There are a number of variables that indicate how quickly a product will expire, including the ingredients, and any preservatives used in the formula. Additionally, the shelf life and expiration date aren’t the same thing—the clock starts ticking on the expiration date of your product the moment you open it. Look for the PAO—or period after opening—label. The symbol looks like an open jar. It indicates the shelf life of the product once it’s been opened, which is typically between six months to one year.”
How Long Skincare Products Last
Why You Shouldn’t Use Expired Products
So, we know when products expire, but is it really that big of a deal to keep using them after that time is up? According to the experts, some side effects of using expired products are more harmful than others, but they will all produce unwanted effects over time, even if that just means they become ineffective. “The shelf-life marks the time span that a formula will hold up in terms of formula stability, compatibility, and preservatives,” says Lu. “After you go past the tested shelf life, formulas can start to get gross and preservatives aren’t as effective, which opens your skin up to unwanted microbe contamination. Microbial contamination can lead to anything from irritation, breakouts, and in really bad cases even infection.”
The Final Takeaway
While we can’t control the effects of time, there are some measures we can take to get the most out of our skincare products. Spatulas, droppers, and anything that will keep our hands from touching the products before it reaches our skin will go a long way in preventing bacterial contamination. Storing our products correctly will keep them in their best form as well—for the most part, keeping products away from extreme temperatures and away from exposure to direct sunlight can help keep their ingredients stable, especially in terms of oils. Finally, to make no mistakes about your PAO date, write the date you opened it on the bottom of the package in permanent marker.
