Hair Products Can Expire, FYI. The Facts You Need To Know
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By NICOLE CORD-CRUZ
You may be surprised to learn that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't require manufacturers to provide an expiration date on personal care products.
Open cosmetics and skincare products typically have a shelf life of six months to two years. If unopened, they can have a shelf life of up to three years.
To tell if the product has gone bad, Vince Spinnato, cosmetic chemist and founder of TurnKey Beauty Inc., told Real Simple to pay attention to its look, feel, and smell.
"If the product is expired, chances are it is very unstable and ingredients are separated with potential bacteria contamination," skincare chemist David Petrillo told Byrdie.
Petrillo added that expired products can lead to irritation, dryness, peeling, follicle damage, and possible hair loss. Lessen the risks by logging when a product is opened.
You can also utilize sites like checkcosmetic.net to determine the expiration date, or you can even contact the manufacturer to check the product's batch code.
To maximize the shelf life of your hair products, avoid putting them in spaces with high humidity or too much light exposure, and close the lid tightly when not in use.