In an article published in The New York Times, experts explained how to recognize when a skin-care product has passed its expiration date. The experts noted that most skin-care products are safe to use for 6 to 12 months—with the exception of eye-care products, which often degrade faster. Products such as acne treatments and sunscreens may not have expiration dates; instead, they may have “period after opening” symbols that contain numbers such as 12M or 18M, which indicate the number of months a product is viable after opening. The experts stressed that after skin-care products are opened, they can become contaminated with microbes such as bacteria and fungi. When exposed to moisture, these microbes can multiply and may cause irritation, eczema, and skin or eye infections. Additionally, before applying products to the skin, individuals should look to see whether the oil and water in the container has separated, and if there has been any change in the product’s color, texture, or smell. The experts advised individuals to avoid using expired products by writing dates on them after right after they have been opened. If there is any uncertainty about when the products were opened, the experts suggested throwing them away.
August 02, 2023