Expiration date - important to ensure safety and effectiveness
Tracking the expiration date of cosmetic products is very important because older or improperly stored products may lose their effectiveness or become potentially harmful to your skin and health. Here are the main reasons why this is essential:
Reduced effectiveness
- Cosmetic products contain active ingredients such as vitamins, antioxidants, acids and preservatives, which may lose their effectiveness over time. If you continue to use a product after its expiration date, it may not work as it should.
For example, sunscreens may lose their sun protection factor after their expiration date, which may expose you to dangerous UV radiation.
Risk of irritation and allergies
- After the expiration date, products may undergo chemical changes. Some ingredients may break down or change, which can lead to skin irritation, itching, redness or even allergic reactions. Mould and bacteria can grow in products that contain water if the preservatives stop working. Mould and bacteria can grow in water-based products if the preservatives stop working.
Changes in scent and consistency
- Ageing products may start to change in scent, colour, or texture, which can be a sign that the ingredients are breaking down. For example, a cream might become lumpy, or a lipstick might develop a musty scent. These are warning signs that you should no longer use the product.
Potential health risks
- Some cosmetic products, such as eyeliners or mascaras, are particularly risky. Using old eye products can lead to eye infections, which can be dangerous for eye health.
- If products contain sensitive chemicals that can break down into harmful substances (e.g. products containing active acids or vitamin C), using them after their expiry date can cause irritation or long-term skin problems.
The expiry date allows you to track the quality of the product. If you have products at home for a long time, tracking the dates can help you dispose of them in time and replace them with fresh ones, which will guarantee their effective use.
How to avoid problems:
- Regular product checks: Regularly check cosmetics and throw away products that are past their expiry date.
- Proper storage: Store cosmetics in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, to extend their shelf life.
- Writing down the opening date: On some products, you can write down the date you opened them so you know when they need to be replaced.
On cosmetics packaging, you can find various symbols that help you determine how long the product is safe to use. Here are the main symbols to look out for:
- PAO (Period After Opening)
- This symbol is displayed as an open jar with a number that indicates the number of months during which the product is safe to use after opening.
For example, the symbol “12M” means that the product should be used within 12 months of opening.
- Expiry Date
- If the product has a limited shelf life of less than 30 months, it must be marked with a specific expiry date (e.g. "until 01/2025").
- After this date, the product's effectiveness may be weakened.
- Specific symbols or notes
- Some products may have additional symbols or information indicating how to store the product (e.g. "protect from sunlight") or special instructions for use.
- Ingredients (INCI)
The ingredient list is important for people with allergies or sensitive skin to avoid substances that could harm them.
