Part 3 of a 3-part series on product ‘expiration’ dates
Of all the things in your home that can expire—medications, food, your driver’s license—personal care products might feel like the least of your worries. But while it’s true that using an old conditioner or moisturizer might not be harmful, using other products—like condoms and sunscreen—past their expiration date can have serious consequences.
The issue is complicated because the term “personal care product” covers several different types of items. “Cosmetics” can include makeup, hair care products, nail polish, perfume, deodorants, and moisturizers. Personal care products that are considered “drugs” include sunscreen, skin protectants like lip balm and diaper ointments, therapeutic mouthwashes, antiperspirants, and acne or dandruff treatments. Some items—such as a moisturizer with SPF (sunscreen ingredients)—may fall into both categories. Still others may be categorized as “dietary supplements” (like fiber and vitamins) or “medical devices” (like hair-removal products and condoms).
Most products that are considered drugs are required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to carry an expiration date, while cosmetics are not. Some medical devices (like condoms) are required to as well, but the regulations vary by specific item.
In considering most personal care products, the FDA usually refers to their “shelf life” (a length of time that a product should last after manufacture) rather than “expiration dates” (an exact date after which using a product is not recommended), which means it’s not always easy to tell when a product has outlived its usefulness. Here’s a guide to some common personal care products and how to determine whether they’re still safe and effective:
Toothpaste. You’re unlikely to have expired toothpaste if you’re using it as often as directed. But it’s certainly possible if you buy in bulk or happen to find an old tube in a medicine cabinet. The inclusion of fluoride in toothpaste makes it a nonprescription drug in the eyes of the FDA, so the packaging must have an expiration date. That date corresponds to the expected shelf life of the active ingredient, typically around two years from manufacture. Toothpaste is still safe to use after its expiration date, according to Crest, and it’s certainly better than nothing in a pinch. However, older toothpaste may not provide as much protection against cavities as the unexpired version. So it’s best to toss the expired product as soon as you can replace it.
Sunscreen. When it comes to sunscreen, the FDA requires one of two things: either an expiration date on the packaging or stability testing by the manufacturer confirming that the sunscreen will remain stable and effective for at least three years. If your sunscreen doesn’t have an expiration date, and you bought it more than three years ago, throw it away. But if you’re using the correct amount of sunscreen, one bottle should never last you that long, so shelf life really shouldn’t be a concern. Be aware, however, that heat and humidity can cause sunscreen to break down faster than expected, so if you’re taking your bottle to the beach, pool, or park, keep it in the shade or even in your cooler to extend the product’s effectiveness as long as possible.
Makeup. Basic makeup products—those that don’t contain acne medication or SPF—are considered cosmetics and are not required to carry expiration dates. No U.S. laws even require manufacturers of these types of products (which include foundation, blush, eye makeup, powder, mascara, and lipstick) to publicize their shelf lives. Legally, cosmetic companies do not have to share any testing information with the FDA. If you’re interested in finding out how a particular company tests the shelf life of its products or tracks how long products have been on store shelves, you can contact that company directly.
In general, any makeup product that you apply with your fingers can become contaminated with bacteria quickly. Applicators (such as for mascara) pick up bacteria and fungi each time you use them, which are then introduced back into the product container. (For this reason, manufacturers usually recommend discarding mascara products two to four months after opening in order to avoid them possibly causing severe eye or eyelid infections or allergic reactions.) Products can grow bacteria and fungi from the warm and moist environment of a bathroom, and other products may dry out and crack. Another issue with makeup is that the oil and water in them can separate over time.
You’ll be the best judge of whether your makeup is still working the way you want it to. But to make sure it’s safe, throw away mascara that has dried out, clean applicators regularly, don’t share makeup, and avoid products being resold by third parties online. Keep in mind that products labeled as “all-natural” or “preservative-free” are likely to have a much shorter shelf life, since bacteria introduced during their use will grow unchecked.
Shampoo and conditioner. Although these products aren’t required to carry an expiration date, the bottle can often give you a clue to the product’s effectiveness. Many bottles will say 12M, 18M, or 24M on the back, with the M standing for months. This tells you how long the shampoo will remain effective after being opened; it’s safe to assume that unopened shampoo will last for three years from the date of purchase. Shampoo past this time frame won’t only fail to get your hair clean. Because the preservatives may have stopped working or the active ingredients have separated, old shampoo can also cause your scalp to itch or be irritated. Regardless of what the date says on the bottle, if the shampoo is clumpy, has a bad odor, or has become discolored, toss it.
Condoms. If there’s one expiration date here not to ignore, it’s the one on a condom wrapper. The FDA requires either an expiration date (after which the condom shouldn’t be used) or a manufacture date, which means it’s good for five years following this date—assuming it’s kept someplace cool and dry, without being exposed to humidity and large temperature changes. The reasoning is sound: Old condoms can become brittle and more likely to break. But even non-expired condoms shouldn’t be used if they have holes or a bad odor. A condom that doesn’t work properly puts its users at risk for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.
Covid tests. When home tests first became available, they had fairly short lifespans—approximately four to six months. But as manufacturers have conducted longer-term testing, the FDA has extended some expiration dates. To see whether your test has been granted an extension, scroll down to the chart on this FDA page and check the “Expiration Date” column; if there has been an update, click the link there to check what the new date is for the lot number of your product. If your home test does not have an updated expiration date—or if an extended date has already passed—go by the date on the box. When your test does expire, it’s time to toss it. It’s not recommended that you use a Covid test beyond its shelf life because its components degrade over time, increasing the risk of false negatives.
BOTTOM LINE: It’s a good idea to regularly check dates on personal care products—if they have them—to make sure they will be effective when you need them. But remember that with a few exceptions (sunscreen and condoms, most notably), a product’s appearance—and common sense—will generally tell you whether it’s safe to use the product after its expiration date or beyond its ideal shelf life. And whether products have dates or not, storing them away from light and heat whenever possible, as well as cleaning any makeup applicators, can help extend their effectiveness, reduce waste, and keep you from having to replace them quite so often.
