Table of contents:
- Why do you have to check the product expiration date?
- Expired skin care may no longer work
- What are the consequences if using expired skin care?
- Tips for maintaining good quality skin care
Choose a product skin care which is suitable for the skin is not easy. There are things that keep you from using a product even though you have poured a lot of money into buying it. Maybe just the opposite? You are very suitable to use product A but feel pity and fear that it will quickly run out if you continue to use it. Finally, skin care You are so neglected on the dressing table and expired. Actually, it's okay to use it skin care expired or haven't used it in a long time?
Why do you have to check the product expiration date?
Every commercial cosmetic and skin care product has its own expiration date. Whether it's sunscreen, face and body moisturizer (body lotion), eye cream, to facial serum. Typical expiration times are listed on the bottom of the container, beside the container, on the lid of the container, or on the box in which it was wrapped.
The average skin care product can be used for one to two years once opened. Meanwhile, products that are still tightly sealed can last up to three years. However, compared to other creams, eye creams are usually easier and faster to change in quality after one year of use.
The inclusion of a time limit for use is intended so that you do not use the product past the specified date. So what?
Expired skin care may no longer work
Just like food, every product skin care manufacturers in general also contain certain active compounds or chemical substances that are susceptible to change and have a "life span".
So even though the packaging was tightly closed from the start or even not opened at all, these active substances are still susceptible to change over time. Changes in pH or the level of acidity of a substance will gradually change the nature of its basic molecules so that the content in the skin care reduces in quality and efficacy.
Especially if you store it carelessly or in an incorrect way. For example, stored in a place exposed to sunlight. Substances can be damaged. Take for example the acid content of vitamin C which is very easily oxidized when exposed to light or heat.
It is possible that bacteria have also started to breed in the old product. Especially if you keep it carelessly, or the product contains natural ingredients or organic skin care that does not contain added preservatives.
What are the consequences if using expired skin care?
Using skincare products that have been neglected for a long time is actually not a problem if they have not passed their expiration date and are stored properly (tightly closed, away from the sun).
As explained above, the average skin care product lasts up to 2 years after opening the packaging. In addition, there are several other things that you need to pay attention to if you want to use old skincare, namely:
- Feel how the texture is, stickier or thinner?
- See if the colors change? The product is no longer suitable for use if yellowish or brown spots appear.
- It smells bad.
If one of these happens to your skincare, you should immediately throw it in the trash. Although generally not harmful to the skin, you should still avoid wearing expired skincare. The content of the active ingredients and medicinal substances may have changed so that their efficacy is reduced.
That's why using sunscreen that is stale can cause sunburn (sunburn). In addition, in some cases, expired skin care can cause irritation to sensitive skin. Especially in the eye.
So you still need to be careful and double-check the expiration date listed and the condition of the product before using it. It's useless, isn't it, using a product that turns out to be of no benefit to your skin? Moreover, turning around is even detrimental.
Tips for maintaining good quality skin care
There are several ways to keep the quality of your skin care products good and prevent them from expiring quickly, including:
- First, make sure the product you buy is suitable and needed. If this is your first time trying the product, it's best to buy the smaller packaging first.
- Buy products in trusted places to avoid counterfeit products. Carefully read the expiration date on the packaging. If it is nearing the deadline and the packaging is damaged, don't buy it.
- Store in a clean place away from direct sunlight. Seal it tightly after each use and wipe away any messy cream outside the container.
- So that you don't forget the expiration date, write the expiration date on a small piece of paper and stick it on the lid or write it directly with a permanent marker.
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