Janelle asks…I have a tube of Retin A that is due to expire in about 3 weeks. I know I will not be able to finish the whole tube by then, and will be forced to use it after the expiry date. I’ve heard people say that drugs can often get more potent over time, so the expiry date is just “something the manufacturers have to slap on.” Is this true? I know people will say to get another tube, but it is quite expensive, and I would like to know if it is worth using after the expiry date, or are the drug companies telling the truth when they put the expiry dates on?
The Beauty Brains respond:
Extending the expiration period a little bit is probably fine. But at some point the active ingredients (or the formula that carries them) will degrade which can cause a couple of problems.
Problems with expired over the counter drugs
For example, an expired sunscreen where the UV absorber has crystalized or separated out from the rest of the product will not coat the skin uniformly with the required level of sunscreen. And that means more sunburn. A fluoride toothpaste where the fluoride salt has become inactivated won’t protect your teeth even though it may foam and taste just the same. And in your Retin-A example, the emulsion could destabilize and deliver a more concentrated burst of Retin-A which could irritate your skin.
The Beauty Brains bottom line
At best using, using cosmetic-drugs after they expire may not HURT you but it may also not provide the benefits you’re looking for. In the worst case, you could end up with pre-cancerous sunburn, cavities in your teeth, and an irritated face. Pay attention to expiration dates!
Note: If, after reading this, you continue to use this product after the expiration date and you’re face becomes horribly disfigured, please promise not to sue us.
Image credit: http://pixabay.com/
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Brains! Thanks for the answer to the expiration date question! I was wondering that myself not too long ago. Totally off topic and not even sure if this is the right place to ask questions- if not please direct me because I am chock full of em’
I am wondering about whether or not I’m being suckered into paying more for something I could get for cheaper. My hair seems to love the L’anza Neem Plant Silk Serum that my hairdresser and apparently Allure Mag also recommended. Even though I like to baby my tresses at $25.00 a pop this is a pricy product that my hair seems to drink up quickly. Am I doing right by my locks or really really wrong by my wallet? Thanks for any advice and absolutely love the blog!
Laura
Here is the ingredient list from allure- Cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone, caprylyl methicone, phenyltrimethicone, santalum album (sandalwood) wood extract, phellodendron amurense bark extract, hordeum distichon (barley) extract, perfluorononyl dimethicone, melia azadirachta (neem bark) extract, keratin amino acids, dimethiconol cysteine, ceramide 2, sodium hyaluronate, algae extract, dimethicone PEG-8 meadowfoamate, sodium PCA, magnesium PCA, zinc PCA, manganese PCA, citrus medica limonum (lemon) extract, fumaria officinalis (fumitory) extract, ascorbyl methylsilanol pectinate, fumeric acid, tetrahexydecyl ascorbate, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone, water (aqua), PPG-4-ceteth-20, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, benzotriazolyl dodecyl-p-cresol, fragrance (parfum), benzyl salicylate, butylphenyl methylpropional (lilial), citronellol, coumarin, geraniol, limonene, linalool
so what if the product hasn’t been opened yet- should I still consider it expired even tho it hasn’t been exposed to the air?
Interesting I didnt know the retin-a would become irritating to the skin, does it eventually lose it potency and how long would that take? Is it becoming more irritating after being expired for a while because the other ingredients that dilute it so to say are being broken down, clumping together etc?
btw i assumed u meant it would get stronger with the more irritating to skin part.
Air exposure is one contributing factor to how fast a product expires. But even if it’s NEVER been opened you should still get rid of it after its expiration date.
If we shouldn’t use expired toothpastes b/c of the fluoride-salt becomes inactivated and won’t protect teeth from cavities— then what about fluoride-free toothpastes (like Toms of Maine)? Why are people who use natural, fluoride-free toothpastes not bombarded with cavities more than the rest of us?