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You've got your routine down. You know the lotions, creams, serums and gels that make your skin look its best. But just like the stuff in your refrigerator, the skin care products in your medicine cabinet have an expiration date -- even if it isn't on the label. Using skin care products past their shelf life probably won't make your bathroom explode, but it could cause an unexpected skin reaction. Show your skin how much you care and toss products when their time has come.
Regulated Products
These are the easy ones. Over-the-counter product regulated by the FDA will probably have an expiration date somewhere. Since these products have ingredients considered to be drugs, the manufacturer has to let you know when they go bad. Look on the tube and scan the original packaging to see its shelf life.
Sunscreen
You know that sunscreen you slather on religiously so you don't end up with a face like a lizard-skin handbag? Well, if you have been using it for more than six months, it probably isn't doing a good job. Since the FDA regulates sunscreens, it will have an expiration date -- usually a year. However, after it has been open for more than six months, the ingredients are evenly distributed within the product, so there is no way to judge how much protection you are getting.
Cosmeceuticals
If it isn't regulated, a skin care product falls into the category of cosmeceuticals. These products aren't regulated, but they will still go off. Six months to a year is the average for cosmeceutical skin products. Products in jars and tubes get more exposure to the air, so they lean more toward the six-month mark. Pump containers limit air exposure, so they can last longer.
Check the Ingredients
Some skin care products contain ingredients that have a shorter shelf life. Peruse the ingredients list on the product and look for some key terms. Vitamin C, often written as "L-ascorbic acid," is one of the worst for losing its effectiveness. Along with retinol and hydroquinone, it will degrade more when exposed to sunlight or air. On the other side of the scale, watch out for retinol and glycolic acid in products. These ingredients gain in strength as time goes by and can become a skin irritant if they are used for more than six months.
Use Your Common Senses
When you are trying to judge if a product is at the end of its shelf life, use your eyes and your nose. If the product is clumpier or runnier than it was when you bought it, chuck that bottle in the trash. If you open up the jar and get a whiff of something funky, don't put that funk on your face.
