Absolutely—skincare products do expire, even the luxurious ones sitting unopened on your shelf. Over time, formulas can degrade, losing their power or becoming irritating to your skin. So yes, that half-used serum from two years ago? It might be time to let it go.
Using expired products can do more harm than good, and recognizing when something is past its prime is key to keeping your skin healthy and your routine effective.
How Can You Tell If It’s Expired?
The good news is, there are several ways to check if a skincare product is still safe to use:
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Look for the PAO (Period After Opening) symbol on the packaging—this tells you how long the product is good for after opening. For example, “6M” means it’s best used within 6 months.
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Some products also include a best before date or an hourglass icon, especially if they expire within 30 months of manufacture.
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You can also use batch code checkers online to find out when a product was made and estimate its shelf life.
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And when in doubt, trust your senses. If a product has changed color, smells weird, or has separated in texture, it’s a sign it’s time to throw it out.
How Long Does Skincare Usually Last?
On average, unopened skincare products can last up to 30 months, while opened products are usually good for about 12 months. But this isn’t a hard rule—things like the ingredients, the type of packaging, and how the product is stored can make a big difference.
For example, formulas with vitamin C, retinol, or SPF tend to degrade faster and need extra care. Keeping products away from sunlight, heat, and humidity helps extend their life.
What Happens If You Use Expired Skincare?
Using expired skincare can be a gamble. The active ingredients may have broken down, making the product less effective or even completely useless.
Worse, expired products can harbor bacteria, which may lead to skin irritation, breakouts, or even infections. So while it might feel wasteful to toss that barely-used cream, it’s safer (and smarter) to replace it with something fresh.
Conclusion
Skincare does expire, and using old products can be risky. They may not work as well and could even irritate your skin. If something looks or smells off, it’s best to stop using it.
Not sure if your products are still good? Contact Zicail. We’re happy to help you choose safe, fresh skincare that works.
