Does Skincare
Expire?

Q: Is it okay to use expired skincare?

No. We never recommend using expired skincare products, as they tend to be significantly less effective than those in date. Moreover, expired skincare products can cause irritation, infection, or allergic reactions if applied to the skin.

Q: Does facial mask expire?

Yes, like all other skincare products, facial masks can expire if left for long enough. How long a facial mask takes to expire depends on its ingredients and where it is stored, with natural ingredients expiring more quickly than artificial ones.

Q: Does vitamin C serum expire?

Yes, vitamin C serum does expire if it is left for enough time. As vitamin C is an organic ingredient, vitamin C serums tend to expire slightly faster than those that use non-organic ingredients.

Q: Can face toner expire?

Yes, facial toner can expire if it is left for long enough. To maximise your facial toner’s lifespan, store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and try not to contaminate it with dirty hands or other pollutants.

Q: Can I use expired retinol cream?

No, we recommend that you never use expired skincare products, especially ones designed to have a powerful effect on the skin. Using expired skincare products can cause irritation, infection, or even allergic reactions, so avoid doing so in all circumstances.

July 2026

We’ve all been there; cupboards and cabinets filled with skincare products we bought many moons ago but haven’t got round to binning just yet. Though we might not think about cleaning out our skincare cupboards as we do with the fridge, all skincare products have a shelf life, and don’t last forever!

A person examines a blob of facial cream on the tip of their finger, looking to see if it is expired.

Do Skin Products Expire: Key takeaways

All skincare products will degrade naturally over time and eventually expire. How quickly skincare expires depends on its ingredients, preservatives, and where it is stored.
There are several ways to tell if your skincare has expired, including: The PAO symbol, the hourglass symbol and date, and the product’s batch number.
We never recommend using expired skincare products. As well as being less effective, expired skincare can cause irritation, infection, or allergic reactions.

In this article, we’ll delve into the question ‘does skincare expire’, looking at how you can tell if your go-to creams, serums, or other products are past their best.

Can my skincare products expire?

So, does skincare expire? In a word, yes. Products naturally degrade slowly over time, even when stored correctly. Some last longer than others, with the shelf life of skincare mainly depending on:

Key ingredients in its formula.
Preservatives used in its formula.
The product’s packaging.

So, if you’re suddenly getting itchy from a product you’ve had for a while, it’s definitely time to let go and bin it!

A young woman applies a Kiehl’s serum to her face.

How can you tell if your products have expired?

Knowing how long skincare products can last is tough, especially since most won’t come with a ‘best-before’ or ‘use-by’ date. That said, there is a way, and it’s much simpler than most people realise.

In the UK, all skincare products come with a PAO symbol, which represents the period after opening skincare that it should be disposed of. PAO symbols typically contain a number (either 3,6,18, or 24) followed by an M. This stands for the number of months after opening that you can use the product for.

As well as PAO symbols, hourglass symbols can also be used to help you know the period after opening skincare at which the product needs to be disposed of. Hourglass symbols aren’t mandatory on all products, but are required for products that expire after 30 months. Alongside the hourglass will be a ‘best-before’ date that lets you know when it's time to get rid of the product.

So, how long can skincare products last? Use the batch number checkers to discover the date of manufacture and age of your product, so you can assess whether it’s still ok to use.

If all this fails, then turn to your senses. If the product you’re checking has changed colour, smells funny, is separated or has changed texture, then it’s probably expired and should be disposed of.

Do skincare products expire if not opened?

If you’re feeling inspired to clear out your skincare cupboard, then another question you may have is, ‘do skincare products expire if they’re not opened?’

When it comes to unopened skincare products, knowing whether they are expired is a little trickier. Typically, skincare products last about 2-3 years if they are sealed, but this is dependent on a few factors, namely:

Storage: If a cream or serum has been left in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, there is a good chance it could last for 2-3 years if sealed.
Active ingredients: Products with active ingredients like vitamin C or other organic materials tend to degrade faster, typically expiring within a year of purchase.

If you’re unsure about either of these things, then your best bet is to open the product and check it yourself. If it has separated, changed colour, or smells strange, then it’s most likely expired and shouldn’t be used.

How long can you use skincare after its expiration date?

We don’t recommend using any products that have expired. For starters, they won’t be as effective, as active ingredients break down over time, and there’s potential for chemicals to alter. For example, sunscreen should never be used after its expiration date, as it simply won’t provide the protection advised and could leave you in danger of sun damage.

As well as being less effective, using expired skincare runs the risk of several nasty side effects, including:

Infection: Just as with expired food, out-of-date skincare can become a bacterial haven, especially if the product is water-based. Using expired skincare could therefore lead to a nasty infection if bacteria have started to breed.
Irritation: Over time, skincare products will separate and oxidise. Oxidisation can alter the pH of serums, creams, and other products, and this change can lead to skin irritation.
Allergic reactions: The development of bacteria in expired skincare can also potentially cause allergic reactions.

So, how long can you use skincare after its expiration date? It’s best to just avoid expired products, even if they look or smell ok. If you have sensitive skin, then you’ll want to be extra vigilant and definitely not use these products.

Promotional image featuring Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, Retinol Skin Renewing Micro-Dose Serum, Creamy Eye Treatment, and Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque. Text reads: SHOP OUR BESTSELLERS.

Can skincare products differ in the signs of expiry?

Yes, it all depends on formulation, temperature, time, and physical stress. Water-based products are more prone to bacterial growth, so you might see mould appear. Oil-based products oxidise over time – look out for colour and odour changes. Natural ingredients are often first to expire, and they’ll oxidise too unless the formula contains effective antioxidants or a broad-spectrum preservative, but even preservatives have expiry dates. In other words, nothing lasts forever.

How should I store my skincare products?

Expiry dates are useful, but they’re also only as good as your storage conditions. Bathrooms are unfortunately not the right place to store skincare; the humidity and changes in temperature can cause issues for most formulas. Keep them away from spots where they’ll get too hot, like windowsills or above radiators and try to avoid exposing them to too much light.

We suggest keeping your products in a cupboard or drawer, and don’t forget to reseal after using. If you’ll be putting your fingers in a jar, always make sure they are clean too! Just remember, if it doesn’t smell right or looks weird, it’s time to throw it out and replace it with something fresh!

Ensure your products haven’t expired - discover Kiehl’s skincare products