Can You Use Expired Skincare?
Expired serums, moisturisers and acids lose potency and can irritate skin. Here's how long skincare lasts and how to tell when it's turned.
5 min read · Updated July 2026
What happens to old skincare
Skincare relies on preservatives to stay safe and on active ingredients to actually work. Both fade with time. An expired product may do nothing — or, worse, grow bacteria and irritate your skin.
Actives are the most fragile: vitamin C oxidises, retinol destabilises, and acids drift in strength. If a serum has turned brown or smells off, its actives are already spent.
Typical shelf life after opening
- Vitamin C serums: 3–6 months — they oxidise fast once air gets in.
- Retinol and prescription-style actives: 6–12 months.
- Water-based moisturisers and cleansers: 12 months.
- Oils and balms: 12–24 months, though oils can go rancid.
- Sunscreen: 12 months open, and never past its printed date.
Signs it's time to bin it
Toss any product that has separated, changed colour, thickened, thinned, or developed a sour, rancid or 'off' smell.
Jars are worse than pumps: fingers introduce bacteria every use, so tubs of cream spoil faster than airless bottles.
How old is it really?
Products bought online or from discounters can already be near the end of their shelf life. Decode the batch code to find the true manufacture date before you count forward with the PAO.
FAQ
Is expired skincare dangerous?
Usually it just stops working, but contaminated products — especially open jars and eye creams — can cause breakouts, rashes or infections. Replace anything that looks or smells wrong.
Does unopened skincare expire?
Yes. Sealed products typically last 2–3 years from manufacture, less for potent actives. Check the batch code to see how old an unopened item already is.