How long do products last?
In our current times, the lack of control in the world outside of ourselves makes me look for solace in even the most menial of tasks. Organizing is one of the ways that has helped me with my anxiousness because I feel in control and structured enough when things feel like they are falling apart all around me. Organization means going through the cabinets, drawers, and all other compartments that accumulate junk or excess. For me, this typically means my toiletries and other beauty products. As privileged as that makes me sound, it’s my reality as you can see from this video where I organized my bathroom in my old LA apartment (I never thought I’d miss such a tiny space).
Part of the organization is also to help keep me safe from using expired products. I find the topic of expiration to be glazed over from most brands and bloggers. Why? Well, I suppose it’s not glamorous but it’s a far too common skincare mistake. And for as many beauty youtube videos that I watch, it’s clear that most people are unaware that their products not only expire but also the basics of natural skincare chemistry.
How long do products last? Most companies will have a disclaimer of sorts. It typically looks like these two photos:
So once you open up your product, you may throw away the box that has some of the information listed about expiration dates. The print may also fade over time where you are left guessing based on if it makes you break out or not.
There are also certain rules that are standard across the board:
Anything with water will have a preservative system but can turn if more water is added in. Using a dry, reusable product dispenser such as a spoon or spatula can help minimize the potential cross-contamination. Especially if your water-based product comes without a pump or is a product you keep in the shower.
Oils tend to do best in dark-colored jars away from light and heat. The stability depends on the grade of the oil as well. Food grade is of higher quality but can become unstable much faster. If there is exposure to temperature changes, you may be shortening the lifespan of your product. Look for scent and texture differences to be safe.
Powders are often not the most favorable product to use for many people because of the extra steps you need to activate the product, however, they are the most shelf-stable.
Most products should be used within 2-6 months before they start to become old or even rancid. Products that touch the skin, such as mascara or facial brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria so they NEED to be replaced at least once every 90 days.
Instead of doing self-experimentation, feel free to follow the rules that I typically abide by to keep my skin safe and waste less:
Finish what you started first. If you have a serum you are using that is great for every day but you’re excited to try another one, make sure you finish, or are close to finishing before you open up a new product. The potency of your product starts to fade the longer you have a product open. Sticking to one or two serums at a time helps you keep your skincare simple as well.
If you’re not sure how old something is but it still seems usable, do a patch test or repurpose the product for your body instead of your face. The skin on the body is more resilient and doesn’t need the sophisticated ingredient profile as the products on the skin usually do.
Old makeup is often the culprit of many skin imbalances regardless of the efficacy of new and clean skincare. Wash your brushes as much as possible and stick to products you know you can use a lot and/or have multi-purpose. I love products that can be used as a lip and cheek stain or bronzers that double as an eye color too. If you’re going to experiment with fun makeup once in a while, don’t splurge on items that are sure to expire too quickly like blue mascara or black lipstick. Instead, have fun with different colored false eyelashes that don’t expire.
Unless your products tell you to store them in the fridge, don’t store them in the fridge. Why? Because the temperature change can start to create condensation and eventually mold. The molecular structure could completely change as well. There are little beauty fridges available that are designed for this purpose instead of using the same fridge your food is in.
If I immediately don’t love a product, I find someone to give it to as soon as possible. It’s often my husband or a client. It can make a difference for someone else instead of getting old in your cabinet.
At the end of the day, the beauty industry is saturated with products that many of us love to try and test. This can be fantastic for small businesses to thrive and also for people with a lack of options to have some accessibility. But the reality is that we don’t regularly need a cabinet full of active serums and masks that get used periodically. It’s wasteful to the environment and also potentially dangerous to our skin’s health. Keep it simple and mindful!
Thank you for reading and if you have any questions, comment below! xo - Hayley
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