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by Burt's Bees | 5 minute read
The main character products you buy, use and replace regularly aren’t typically going to live to see the expiration date on their label.
But then, there are the sidekicks. The product you bought to try, but you can’t remember how long ago. The trendy one you loved for a month, but then forgot about. If you’ve ever dusted off an eye cream from the back of your drawer and wondered if it might be past its prime, keep reading.
The Shelf Life of Skin Care
When you first open a product, it’s showing you its best self—the texture is ideal, the ingredients are powerful, and it’s ready to work. But over time and with use, exposure to things like bacteria, oxygen, fluctuating temperatures and moisture (all things conveniently found in your bathroom) can and will take their toll on your products.
The first clue that something is off might not be how your product works, but how it feels. You might notice separation, clumping, drying, or just a general not-so-great texture in a formerly delightful lotion, cream or cleanser.
According to the FDA, that’s a sign that things are going south. Products can be compromised, degrade or break down in a few ways:
Your hands carry microorganisms which transfer to a product when you handle its packaging or apply it with fingertips
Applicators—especially mascara wands—are exposed to bacteria and fungi each time you use them
Emulsions—which are mixtures of water and oil—can separate
Exposure to moisture may make it easier for bacteria and fungi to grow
Products can dry out, causing them to harden and crack
Temperature changes and exposure to sunlight and air can cause changes in color and texture and may cause the products to smell
How Long Does Skin Care Last?
Generally speaking, you can feel OK about using a product within a year of first cracking it open.. (Makeup guidelines are a little different—find out more about when to refresh everything from mascara to lip gloss right here.)
There’s something called a “period after opening” that’s sometimes noted on skin care products using the icons below—the number notes the months you can keep something in your rotation after you’ve opened and used it.
Other products will have a date stamped on their label, or just say right on the package how long they’re meant to last.
Still, use your judgement—if everything looks and smells good, good! If not, don’t roll the dice—it’s time for a replacement.
How To Make Skin Care Products Last
There are certain ingredients that are notoriously fragile—Vitamin C, we’re looking at you—and can benefit from some special treatment.
We did some heavy reading in this medical journal, published by the Linus Pauling Institute, to find out how light, oxygen and heat can cause Vitamin C to degrade. Those three variables make Vitamin C less effective so try storing those products in your fridge or a dark cabinet (ideally away from your steamy shower) . (Want to learn more?—read this!)
Those same three factors—light, oxygen and heat—are the common culprits behind most of the wear and tear on your skin care. For anything that’s not a daily go-to that you really want to preserve, find some space in your fridge or look for a cool, dark spot to tuck it away for your next self-care day.
