Do Skincare Products Have a Shelf Life?

The answer is yes, they do. Skincare products do not last forever and do have a shelf life. Most bottles contain a small number like 6, 12, and up to 36. This is the number of months the product can be used after opening it.  However, if a product’s packaging does not indicate any of these numbers, the rule of thumb is that the product can be used for approximately two years when it is stored properly. This means that it’s air tight sealed and not exposed to heat or significant light. An unopened, sealed product has a shelf life of about three to five years.

However, you really want to use up a skincare product within one year of opening. This mostly applies for prescription products, not so much OTC sunscreens that do have a set expiration date. You can also judge whether it’s time to throw out the product or not. If there are spots of mold, a bad smell, or if it’s dried or if the color is different from the first time you’ve opened it, then it is time to throw it away.

The FDA also requires certain products with active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or any salicylic acid to have set expiration dates on them, so it’s best to throw these out if they’re past their expiration dates printed on the labels, as acids can become more irritating and stronger if kept beyond their expiration date.

Bacteria can thrive in expired products and actually do damage to your skin if you use these products that have gone bad. That’s because the moisture and humid conditions of places where you usually store these products, like your bathroom are breeding grounds for harmful bacteria that can cause acne and inflammation. You want to store your products in a dry environment that can be away from humidity and heat, like an airtight box inside one of your dressers.