Skin Care products also have their own expiration date. It is wise to know how long a product will last before it is not good enough to use. When buying skin care products, you should always look at the manufacturing date as well as its expiration date. A rule of thumb, a product usually last for six months up to one year.
Below are some advice to remember when buying or disposing skin care products:
- Between pumps and screw-on jars, pumps are the best choice. They can keep the bacteria out while screw-on jars can’t. Bacteria can easily fester in a jar when unsanitary fingers are dipped into it. They could also keep the oxygen out which can cause degradation of the product.
- Look for the PAO symbol (Period After Opening). It looked like a jar with a lid. It also has a number followed by the letter “M” (months) printed beside the ingredients. The number determines the months the products can be effective after opening. Jot down the month and year of the products so you could always remember how long to use it.
- Sunscreens are only good for one year. Remember to always check their expiration dates as well as storing it in cool and dry place. Sunscreen becomes ineffective and unstable when exposed to heat.
- Products used in treating acne usually last for four to six months. It is because of the ingredients benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid that break down easily and may cause further skin irritation. It is best to be consistent when curing acne. The products usually don’t last for more than half a year if morning and evening routines are practiced.
- Products used as anti-aging break down easily because of the retinol, Vitamin C and glycolic acid used as ingredients. That is why it commonly last for nine months to a year only. For your products to last, choose those who are vacuum-sealed in pump bottles.