Skin Care Blog

Every product is different, and every shelf life is different, so the answer to this question varies and is based on several factors. First, has product been opened? Depending on how they are sealed, unopened skin care products have (or ought to have) a long shelf life. But at the same time, you don’t want products that have been on the shelf forever. Opened, it is really anyone’s guess how long a product will last without losing its potency. Second, has the product been exposed to heat or sunlight? This can dramatically decrease the life of product.

Products in tubes tend to have a lower rate of bacterial infestation products that come in jars. With jars, you are usually putting your bare fingers in each time to get out product, which may allow a lot of bacteria to enter the cream or lotion. Even though many companies provide a spatula or some type of applicator, I don’t know if anyone really uses them. In general, your opened skin care products should last at least six months to a year or even more.

Sunscreen is different. It is recommended to throw away any sun product after a year as You want the potency of these sun protective products to be at their peak. There is no way for the consumer to test sunscreens to make sure they are still potent and therefore actively helping You to protect from UV radiation.

How can I tell if my products have gone bad? How long do products last?

Just like food, organic ingredients in skin care products do go bad and will let you know by emitting an unpleasant odor. The more organic and natural the ingredients are in a product, the more likely it will go bad at some point. This also depends on the preservatives used and if your product has been exposed to heat or direct sunlight over a period of time. So if a product smells funny, rancid, or in any other way “bad,” it is not the best idea to use it anymore.