Maybe you only wash your hair and condition your hair once a week, or maybe you rotate through many different products. In either case, a bottle of shampoo or conditioner may last a long time. This may be great in some ways, but it also raises a big question that a lot of people never really think about: Do shampoos and conditioners expire?
Do Shampoos and Conditioners Expire?
The answer is simple: yes, both shampoo and conditioner expire. This means that you should keep an eye out for the expiration date of the product and any signs that it may have passed its best. Usually, the expiration date will be listed on the bottle or somewhere on the packaging – you may want to look at its box. If you can’t find that information, try contacting the company that made the product. Experts say it’s best to contact the manufacturer for more information on batch identification or expiration times. If they can’t identify the product, it might be a good idea to return the product or throw it away.
What Is the Shelf Life of Shampoo and Conditioner?
Most shampoos and conditioners last for at least six months or more, but this varies from product to product. An opened bottle of shampoo or conditioner usually lasts six months to a year, but if the bottle is not opened, it can last two to three years, Petrillo said. You’ll need to look for the PAO (Expiration Date After Opening) date, which is usually marked as 6M, 12M, 18M, or 24M. M stands for months, which should tell you how long the product will be valid after opening, as long as it is stored in the proper conditions.
What Happens if I Use Expired Shampoo or Conditioner?
Shampoos and conditioners can become unstable after they expire, so they should not be used. Not only can the product lose its efficacy, but it can also irritate your skin or be otherwise harmful. If the product expires, it is likely to be very unstable, the ingredients will be separated, and it may be contaminated with bacteria, which can cause irritation, dryness, peeling, damage to hair follicles, and may even lead to hair loss, among other things.
Degraded or unstable ingredients in expired shampoos and conditioners rarely cause rashes. Sometimes, mold grows when the formula is no longer stable. The rash usually comes in the form of contact dermatitis, which is an itchy, painful, or swollen rash that appears when someone comes into contact with something they are allergic to or irritates their skin.
The main reason to avoid using expired shampoos and conditioners is so that you don’t come into contact with the product’s ingredients, which may no longer be stable. It’s definitely not a good idea to use an expired shampoo or conditioner because using it can be harmful when the ingredients have been separated and the preservatives are no longer effective. There may be potential contamination and harmful microorganisms that you don’t want to be absorbed by your hair or scalp. Shampoo and conditioner ingredients can quickly penetrate into the scalp, so expired shampoos or conditioners can have negative effects even if they are only used briefly.
Signs That Your Shampoo or Conditioner Has Expired
One way to tell if a shampoo or conditioner has expired is to check the expiration date listed on the package. The bottle usually has a ‘full stop after opening’ sign, which looks like a small container or jar with a number. If it is marked with 24M, it means that the product has a shelf life of 24 months after opening. You can also keep an eye out for physical changes to your products, as your shampoo or conditioner may have expired if the product clumps, separates, or changes in color. Here are some specific signs of expiration that experts recommend looking out for:
- Separated Components: This means that some of the chemical components have been separated. When this happens, you’ll usually see the chemicals split into layers, such as the oil component on top and the water component in separate layers. If you pour out some shampoo or conditioner, you may immediately notice the separated ingredients.
- Changes in texture or color: This sign of an expired shampoo or conditioner is likely to look flaking or look unnatural, such as a clumpy texture or a new color. It is likely that the preservative is ineffective and the product is no longer stable, so you may notice a color change or discoloration.
- Unpleasant odor: If you notice that the product has an unpleasant odor or an unnatural odor, you may need to confirm with the brand or manufacturer.
If the consistency of the shampoo or conditioner doesn’t look good (such as when the product is separated), you may be tempted to shake the bottle to remix the ingredients together, but that’s not really a good idea. It doesn’t mix well or maintain the same consistency as when it’s made, and it may also not penetrate the scalp the way it’s intended.
At Last
Both shampoos and conditioners expire, and once they expire, you should avoid them. Expired shampoos and conditioners can be harmful to your health, and they may no longer be effective. Once opened, most shampoos and conditioners have a shelf life of six months to a year, but unopened bottles can last longer. To avoid wasting product, make a note of the expiration date after the opening date of the package when you first buy it, and try to use up all of your shampoo or conditioner before that time.