A Guide To Natural Skin Care Expiration Dates : A study of college women found that 97.9% wear expired cosmetics. Oh, so much expired cosmetics. Easy to see why. Makeup and skin care expiration dates are easy to miss. Is that problematic? Well, yes. The shelf life of every cosmetic. Conventional goods survive longer. These beautiful products last longer thanks to dangerous chemical preservatives like parabens.
A Guide To Natural Skin Care Expiration Dates
But natural skin care uses natural preservatives. Your natural face scrub or eye cream may include “Tocopherol” on the back. Tocopherol is found in soy beans and leafy greens. It preserves natural products without preservatives. Parabens stay longer than natural preservatives. A better product is worth it.
Consider expiration dates while using conventional or natural products. Old things might go rotten or develop germs. Use may expose skin to harmful contaminants. Even without contamination, expired commodities lose potency quickly. Sunscreen and other skin-protection goods suffer.
Understanding Skin Care Product Labels
How can you tell a product is safe? Check the label. Unfortunately, most skin care expiration dates are hard to detect. Few personal care goods must have a date, unlike food. It’s okay—there’s enough information to determine a product’s safety. So how:
How to Spot a Product That’s Gone Bad
Can’t find expiration info for a product in your arsenal? No worries. Use these guidelines to help you decide when it’s time to give it a toss:
Has the product changed color from when you first bought it?
Has the product separated?
Do you notice any unusual odors?
Does the product feel strange on your skin (for example, is it now grainy when it wasn’t before)?
Is the product liquid? If so, it’s more likely to expire quickly.
Is the product preservative-free? If so, it’s likely to expire very quickly.
Depending on the product, you may be able to follow a few rules of thumb to decide whether or not it’s still safe to use.
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Moisturizers: If stored correctly, you can generally count on a moisturizer to last for a year. As long as it still looks, feels, and smells the way it did when you first opened it, it should be safe to use.
Sunscreen: Many of us are guilty of using sunscreen for years after we buy the bottle. Sunscreen lasts roughly two years. If you’re storing your sunscreen that long, you’re probably not using enough. Remember that sunscreen longevity depends on storage. Heat (such being left in the sun at the beach) can break it down and reduce its effectiveness.
Shampoo: Another long-lasting product! If mildew-free, liquid shampoos last a year or two. Maintain a clean shower and separate shampoo and spray bottles. This is fantastic news for those of us who wash our hair rarely: we can save money on big bottles.
Cosmetics: Cosmetic shelf life depends on kind. After opening, liquid foundations last a year. Powder-based cosmetics like blush and eye shadow can last for years if you clean your brushes. Carefully applied lipstick and balm can last a year. Mascara lasts the least. Replace yours six months after opening to avoid eye bacteria.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Natural Skin Care Products
Smart Storage: Avoid moisture, heat, and light to prevent bacteria growth. Keep makeup and skin care items cool, dry, and out of the sun. A simple cabinet or drawer will do.
Think Clean: Keeping your products clean starts with clean hands. Clean your hands before handling items. Sanitise your regular goods too. Sanitise konjac sponges weekly in hot water.
Track Your Use: Record new product openings. That may seem too much work, but try it on products you’ll use for a while. Writing the date on masking tape and sticking it to the container is easy.
Toss freely: When in doubt, throw out. If you’re unsure if a product is still good, you’ve probably had it too long. This is doubly true if breakdown occurs.
