How Long Will My Skincare Product Last?

You are meticulous in your research, you understand the skincare products you need and when you finally do purchase your products you use them as recommended. Then along comes a new product that catches your eye and before you know it you have an accumulation of unused skincare products.

As you will know through your research on the your beauty products, there are important active ingredients in each of the creams and lotions that can be very sensitive. Exposure to heat, light and even oxygen can cause these active ingredients to lose their effectiveness and thus make your skincare product not perform as expected.

Understanding that skincare products do have an effective life, you will want to make sure that you do not overstock on a certain item or type of item, such as having two to three types of eye creams.  Saving you both money on expired products and keeping your bathroom counter, or under counter clutter-free.

When looking at your products to understand their life expectancy and how to store them, you also have to realize that not all products can be stored in the same manner. Some products such as lightening creams that contain hydroquinone will start to turn brown after about two months and lose their potency.

There are some products, such as acne wipes and glycolic peel treatments that will lose their potency as they start to dry up. Even though you keep them in their closed container, once the container has been opened for use, it is not airtight. The exposure to the air caused the products to evaporate and thus lose their effectiveness.

Knowing what is happening to your products and more importantly, what effect they will have on your skin as they age is key to not harming you or your skin. At the end of the day you need to be aware that all products are not created equal and that you cannot treat them all the same.

Being aware of the changes that occur with your products will allow you to make the decision as to when is the right time to use it or toss it! Here are some simple guidelines to follow:

1. A change in colour: If the product has turned yellow or brown, it’s time to toss it.
2. A change in smell: Self-explanatory but sometimes overlooked because the product was expensive. If the smell of the product changes, toss it.
3. Separation: This does not apply to all products as some will have minor separation even first purchased as they have been sitting. However, if you notice extra separation or you are having to mix your product every day to make it consistent, it most likely has expired, simply toss it.
4. Change in Texture: Any lumps or change in consistency, either thicker or thinner, toss it.
5. Black, fuzzy or spots: This is a huge flag your product has expired, either from time or exposed to heat. Never use a product that has any signs of bacteria contamination as it leads to infection and sickness.

You take time and effort to take care of your skin, and you by spending a little extra time to ensure your products are still in their effective life span will ensure you will achieve your desired results.

As always we appreciate your comments and suggestions and of course please share this with your friends to ensure they are not harming their skin with their daily skincare routine.