Do Skincare Products Expire?

Have you ever asked the question of if skincare products expire? The quick answer is yes, they do, and using them past their expiration dates can negatively affect your skin’s health as well as the product’s effectiveness.

In this blog, we’ll explore how to tell when your skincare has gone bad, how to store it the right way, and why the shelf life of some common skincare products.

Why Skincare Products Expire

Skincare products are created with active ingredients like antioxidants, peptides, acids, and botanical extracts. These ingredients are designed to improve your skin, but they can end up breaking down, oxidizing, or becoming contaminated, especially if the product has been exposed to air or bacteria before.

Here’s what expiration means for your skincare:

• A loss of effectiveness: Ingredients such as vitamin C or retinol might not deliver the results that you want anymore.

• Potential irritation to your skin: Old products can cause your skin to develop redness, breakouts, or allergic reactions.

• Bacterial growth: This happens more in products without preservatives, the bacteria can grow and affect your skin’s health in a poor way.

How to Tell If a Skincare Product Has Expired

Most skincare products will have a PAO symbol (Period After Opening) printed on the packaging. It looks like an open jar icon with a number inside, such as 6M or 12M. This indicates how many months the product has until it expires.

Here are a few warning signs your product has expired:

• A change in color, texture, or smell

• Separation or clumping in the product

• A product that suddenly starts irritating your skin

• Mold or discoloration near the lid

Remember: Even unopened products can spoil eventually. A good rule of thumb is that unopened skincare products last around 1–3 years, depending on ingredients and packaging.

Common Shelf Lives of Popular Skincare Products

Cleansers:                                       12 months

Toners:                                            6 - 12 months

Serums:                                            6 - 12 months

Moisturizers:                                  12 - 24 months

Sunscreen (SPF):                          6 - 12 months (check expiration date)

Eye Creams:                                    6 months

Natural products:                         3 - 6 months (without preservatives)

Note: Always refer to the label for specific guidance.

How to Extend the Life of Your Skincare Products

Proper storage can help maximize the lifespan of your products and save you a lot of money in the long run.

You should:

• Store in a cool, dry place away from any direct sunlight or humidity

• Keep lids tightly sealed when not being used

• Avoid using your fingers to scoop out a product, instead use a spatula or pump when possible

• Refrigerate natural or preservative-free products to reduce bacterial growth

These small habits can help protect your product’s shelf life and your skin at the same time.

Refresh Your Skincare, Refresh Your Glow

Using expired skincare not only compromises your results, it can actually harm your skin. If your products are showing signs of aging or have been unused for months, don’t hesitate to replace it, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Visit Vier Beauty to check out our collection of varying organic and cruelty-free products.

We have the perfect selection for you!