Few people truly pay attention to the expiration date of their beauty products. Some even believe that cosmetic products do not expire. This is a misconception, as every beauty product has a limited usage period based on the components of its formulation.
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Misconception: Cosmetic products do not expire.
Summary
- The rules for preserving a cosmetic product
- What should I do if these dates are not visible on my skincare product?
- How to recognize if a skincare product is expired?
Published November 12, 2021,
updated on February 14, 2024,
by
Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences
—
4 min read
The rules for preserving a cosmetic product.
The label of a beauty product can display two types of dates:
The minimum durability : this is the date that is written on the label preceded by the phrase "best used before" or in English "best before". This mention is only mandatory for cosmetics whose usage duration is deemed less than 30 months. It is represented by an hourglass-shaped pictogram.
The Period After Opening or PAO : this is found for cosmetics whose use period exceeds 30 months. It indicates, from the moment the product was first opened, the duration of the product's use. It is symbolized by an open cream jar, in which there is a number and the letter M. For example, if inside the cream jar there is the notation "6M", this means that the product can be used up to 6 months after its opening.
What should I do if these dates are not visible on my skincare product?
In the event that the expiration date is not visible on the labels of your skincare products, for whatever reason (such as a damaged label), there is an average shelf life to adhere to. Therefore, for basic skincare products, it is advisable to know the average shelf life after opening.
Eyeliners and mascaras : should be kept between 1 and 3 months after opening, as they are used directly on the eyes where the skin is sensitive.
Facial care products : are preserved between 8 months for jar-packaged products and 12 months for pump-bottle products, after opening. Indeed, jar-packaged products have a shorter shelf life as they are more susceptible to bacterial proliferation due to contact with fingers and exposure to air.
Body care products: are preserved between 9 and 12 months after first use.
Powder-based skincare products (eyeshadows, blushes, etc.) : are preserved between 12 and 18 months. This duration is due to the fact that powder skincare products do not contain water! The presence of water in a formula creates an environment conducive to the growth of microorganisms.
Sunscreen creams: are preserved for the duration of a season.
All beauty care products have an expiration date based on the preservative used. This shelf life only applies to those that have already been opened. An unopened beauty care product can be stored for up to approximately 3 years after its manufacturing date.
How to recognize if a skincare product is expired?
If you don't remember the date when you opened your beauty products, you can refer to the following elements to determine their condition:
The texture: It is the texturing agents that allow for the final texture of the skincare product. Many people are accustomed to choosing their skincare products based on texture. Therefore, if you notice that the texture has changed since the first use, do not take any risks, it is better to dispose of it.
The scent: just as with the texture, if you notice a change in smell when using a beauty product, it is best to refrain from using it to avoid unpleasant surprises.
The color: A change in the color of your beauty product is a sign that it's time for you to part ways with it.
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