“Skincare Expiry Dates: What Happens If You Use Old Products?”

“Skincare Expiry Dates: What Happens If You Use Old Products?”

By Dr. Mohd Rizwan Khan, MD (Dermatology)

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Let’s be honest — we all have that one cream or face wash sitting in the corner of the shelf for months… maybe years.

You sniff it, you see it’s not empty, and you wonder:

“Is it okay to still use this?”

The short answer: NO.

Skincare products come with expiry dates for a reason. And ignoring them can hurt your skin more than help.

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🧴 Why Skincare Products Expire

Just like food and medicine, skincare products also have a limited shelf life.

That means their ingredients break down over time.

Here’s what happens:

• Actives like Vitamin C or Retinol stop working

• Preservatives weaken, allowing bacteria or fungus to grow

• Texture, smell, and color may change

• pH levels shift, making the product irritating or ineffective

Even if the product “looks fine,” the ingredients inside may have already turned bad.

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🧫 What Happens If You Use Expired Skincare?

You might think, “What’s the worst that could happen?”

Here’s the list:

✅ Mild Issues:

• Redness

• Burning

• Dryness

• Flaky patches

• No visible results (waste of time and money)

⚠️ Serious Issues:

• Breakouts or acne flare-up

• Rashes

• Allergic reactions

• Infections (especially with eye creams or open jars)

At our clinic, we often see patients with reactions caused by old or oxidized creams — especially homemade mixes, or creams forgotten in the fridge or cupboard.

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📆 How to Check If a Product Is Expired

1. Look for the expiry date.

It’s usually printed at the bottom, side, or crimp of the tube. Most products last 6–24 months after opening.

2. Check the open-jar symbol.

This small jar symbol says “6M,” “12M,” or “24M.” It means: Use within 6, 12, or 24 months after opening.

3. Use your senses:

• If it smells odd

• If the color has changed

• If it has separated or feels weird

👉 Throw it away.

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🧴 What Products Expire Faster?

• Natural/organic products: No preservatives = shorter life

• Serums with Vitamin C or Retinol

• Sunscreens

• Eye creams

• Anything in jars (exposed to air/fingers daily)

These are the products to watch closely.

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🧼 Dr. Rizwan’s Clinic Tips:

✅ Always write the date of opening on the product with a marker

✅ Don’t store products in hot or humid areas like the bathroom

✅ Close the lid tightly after every use

✅ Don’t share creams, especially ones in jars

✅ If you’re unsure about a product, bring it to your consultation – we’ll guide you

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🚨 Final Word from Dr. Rizwan:

“Using expired products is like taking expired medicine — it may do nothing, or it may harm you. When in doubt, throw it out.”

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📍If your skin feels irritated or has started breaking out after using an old product —

Book a check-up at Dr Rizwan’s Skin, Cosmetic & Laser Clinic, Shahjahanpur. We’ll help you fix the damage and plan better skincare habits.

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