Spring Cleaning Your Skin Care: Is It Time to Toss Your Products?
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Spring Cleaning Your Skin Care: Is It Time to Toss Your Products?

someone dipping fingers into a pot of skin care

Using expired products isn't just ineffective—it can be irritating or even dangerous. Here is your guide to deciding what stays and what goes.


1. Check the "Period After Opening" (PAO) Symbol

Most cosmeceuticals don't have a traditional "Best By" date printed on the bottle. Instead, look for a small icon that looks like an open jar with a number and the letter "M" (e.g., 6M, 12M, 24M).

  • What it means: This is the number of months the product is guaranteed to be stable after you’ve opened it.

  • Pro Tip: If you can’t remember when you opened it, and it's been sitting there since last spring? It’s likely time to part ways.




2. The Lifespan of Common Products

If the label has rubbed off, use these general rules of thumb for replacement:

Product Type

Typical Shelf Life

Warning Signs

Sunscreen

3 Years (or stamped date)

Separation, watery texture, or a "sour" smell.

Vitamin C Serums

3–6 Months

Changes from clear/pale yellow to dark orange or brown (oxidation).

Retinoids

6–12 Months

Yellowing or change in consistency.

Moisturizers

1 Year

Separation of oil and water; any funky odor.

Mascara/Liquid Eyeliner

3 Months

It’s a bacteria magnet—don't risk an eye infection!

3. Prescription Medications

Unlike over-the-counter lotions, prescription topical medications (like steroid creams or prescription-strength acne gels) have strict expiration dates.


  • Why it matters: Once expired, the active ingredients can degrade, meaning that stubborn rash or breakout won't get the treatment it needs. Furthermore, some medications can become chemically unstable and cause contact dermatitis.

  • Rule of thumb: If the pharmacy label date has passed, dispose of it properly.

  • The good news: There have been no reports of human toxicity following use of an expired topical medication, so while it may not be effective, there is no need to worry about the accidental use of an expired medication. 


Benzoyl Peroxide: This common medication, often found in a variety of acne treatments, is unlike other mostly stable ingredients. Benzoyl peroxide unstable by its nature and will break down and loose effectiveness after only a few months if opened and not refrigerated.   Closely follow the expiration date on any product containing benzoyl peroxide.  


4. The "Red Flag" Checklist

Regardless of the date, toss any product immediately if you notice:

  • Separation: If your cream looks like curdled milk or has a layer of oil floating on top.

  • Smell: A "vinegary" or "play-dough" scent is a sign that the preservatives have failed.

  • Color Change: Significant darkening usually means the active ingredients have oxidized and are no longer working.


How to Dispose Safely

Don't just flush old medications down the toilet, as they can enter the water supply. Most pharmacies have "take-back" bins, or you can mix creams with coffee grounds or kitty litter in a sealed bag before throwing them in the trash.



 
 
 
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