Few people truly pay attention to the expiry date of their beauty products. It's even common to think that cosmetics don't 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 recognise if a skincare product has 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 usage period exceeds 30 months. It indicates, from the moment the product was first opened, the duration of the product's use. It is symbolised by an open cream jar, inside which there is a number and the letter M. For example, if the cream jar has 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 expiry 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.
Eye-liners 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-based products and 12 months for pump-bottle products, after opening. Indeed, jar-based 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 products (eyeshadows, blushes, etc.) : have a shelf life of 12 to 18 months. This duration can be explained by the fact that powder 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 a use-by date, which depends on the type of 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 recognise if a skincare product has expired?
If you cannot recall 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 tend to choose their skincare based on the texture. Therefore, if you notice that it 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 better to refrain from using it to avoid unpleasant surprises.
The colour: A change in the colour of your beauty care product is a sign that it's time for you to part ways with it.
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