How long is the shelf life of facial cream? Can I use it if it is expired?

Facial cream has the effect of locking in moisture. It can form a protective film on the skin surface and reduce the loss of moisture and nutrients in the skin. So, how long is the shelf life of facial cream generally? Can I still use the facial cream if it’s expired?

The shelf life of facial cream is generally several years.

The shelf life of facial creams from different brands is different. Generally speaking, the shelf life of facial cream is about three years if unopened, and it is best to use it up within six months after opening. Generally, unopened facial cream can be stored for 3 years, but opened facial cream is recommended to be used up within 3-4 months after opening. Because the cream comes into contact with the air after opening, it will inevitably be contaminated by bacteria and microorganisms in the air, which accelerates the oxidation of the cream and causes the effectiveness of the cream to be lost faster. Therefore, the shelf life of the cream after opening will be shortened to 3-4 months.

Can I use the expired facial cream?

You can no longer use the cream after it expires. Because using expired facial cream can cause skin allergies. The cream has expired, the effective ingredients in it have lost their original efficacy, and the texture has also deteriorated. If the facial cream has been expired for a long time, it may contain mold and it should not be applied directly to the body at this time, but it can also be used to remove some stains in life.

How to check if the face cream is expired

1. Oil floating: The problem of oil floating is a sign of oxidation. It is best to discard it immediately and not use it again, otherwise it will cause skin allergies.

2. Discoloration: The color of cosmetics changes due to the production of bacteria, usually turning them yellow or black.

3. Spotting: Green, yellow and other mold spots appear on the surface of cosmetics. This is caused by mold contaminating the cosmetics due to moisture.

Why does facial cream become muddy?

The reason why facial cream is rubbed into mud may be that it contains high-molecular glue ingredients, which makes it difficult for the cream to be absorbed and rubbed into mud. It may also be caused by the conflict between the cream and other skin care products, incorrect use of the cream can also cause muddy rubbing, and thick skin stratum corneum can also cause muddy rubbing.