10 Signs Your Skincare Has Expired

Not every product has a date you can read, and not everyone remembers when a jar was opened. The good news is that products often show signs when they are past their best. Here are ten worth knowing, and what to do when you spot one.

The ten signs

• 1. The smell has changed. A sour, sharp or stale smell that was not there when the product was new is one of the clearest signs.
• 2. It has separated and will not mix back. A layer of oil or water that stays separate after shaking usually means the formula is no longer stable.
• 3. The colour has changed. Vitamin C serum that has turned dark orange or brown has oxidized. A cream that has yellowed is another example.
• 4. The texture is grainy, lumpy or stringy when it used to be smooth.
• 5. There is liquid pooling on top of a cream or mask that was not there before.
• 6. It feels different on your skin. A product that suddenly stings, pills or sits on the surface may have changed.
• 7. Mascara or liquid eyeliner has dried out, gone clumpy, or smells odd. Eye products are usually given the shortest periods after opening, so check the symbol on the tube.
• 8. A lipstick or balm has developed a white film or beads of moisture on the surface, or smells waxy and stale.
• 9. You can see spots or fuzz. Any visible mould means the product goes straight in the bin.
• 10. You cannot remember opening it. If you have no idea how long a product has been open and it has no readable date, treat it with caution.

What to do if you notice one

Stop using the product. It is tempting to finish something expensive, but a product that has changed may not work as intended and is more likely to irritate. If your skin reacts to a product, stop using it. If the reaction is strong or does not settle, speak to a pharmacist or doctor.

Sunscreen deserves special care. It normally carries a printed expiry date, and after that date you cannot rely on the protection stated on the label. Replace it.

A product can be past its date and look fine

The signs above are useful, but they are a backup. Some products pass the period the maker recommends without any visible change. That is why the date matters more than the look.

There are two dates to know. The expiry or best-before date applies to the sealed product. The Period After Opening symbol, the small open jar marked 6M, 12M or similar, tells you how many months to use it once opened. Our guide to PAO explains how to read it.

How to avoid the guessing

• Write the opening date on the product when you first use it.
• Keep products closed, and away from heat and steam where you can.
• Use clean hands or a spatula for products in jars.
• Finish one product before opening its replacement.
• Go through your shelf every few months and check the oldest items first.

If you would like the dates tracked for you, you can add products to a free CosmeShelf shelf with the day you opened them and see how long each one has left. For typical ranges by product type, see how long makeup lasts after opening.