Health experts are warning the public to check the expiry dates on their skincare products.
A TikTok video recently went viral, highlighting the dangerous effects of using expired skincare and the potential damage it could inflict on your skin.
TikToker @beasteater gained 31.6 million views and 1.9 million likes on a video she posted showing the painful reaction she experienced on her face after using expired skincare products and incorrect aftercare, reports Wales Online.
One comment under the post read: “Any time you use a product past it’s expire date. (there is an icon that tells # months from open) you risk the product separating, chemicals breaking down and bacteria growing.”
Experts from Tropic Skincare have offered advice on how to identify expired products and other factors to consider when using skincare.
Susie Ma, CEO and founder of Tropic Skincare, stated: “The most obvious disadvantage of using expired skincare products is that they may not be as effective as fresh ones.”
“So, if you’re using an expired face cream, you might not be getting the same hydration or anti-ageing benefits as you would from a fresh one.
“In fact, expired face products can actually cause skin irritation, breakouts, and other problems like this TikTok user and using expired facial products results in a less effective routine that can further lead to long-term skin issues. It’s worth doing a routine check each month of all your products to ensure they are all in-date.”
She further explained: “There are also certain rules to consider when using skincare products. This TikTok user says she used a steamer afterwards as she thought it would help, but this actually caused a bacterial infection.
“This will be because the steamer caused heating of the skin which can react with products and cause them to overstimulate, causing more of an irritation.”
Susie has offered her expert advice on how to determine if your skincare products have expired:
Look for the expiration date
She advised: “First, check the packaging for a ‘period after opening’ symbol, which looks like a jar with a number and an ‘M’ inside.
“This symbol indicates how long the product is good for after it has been opened, typically ranging from six to 24 months. If the product doesn’t have this symbol, you can try checking the ingredient list for a ‘use by’ or ‘expiration’ date.”
Susie acknowledged that this can be confusing, as you may not remember when you originally opened the product, so she suggests making a note of the month you starting using the product when you introduce something new to your skincare regime.
She remarked: “However, at Tropic, we’ve decided to make things simpler for our customers by including a best before (BBE) date on all of our products instead, which clearly shows when to use the product until, in date form.
Although it’s not a legal requirement for beauty products, this date tells you when the formulation stops being it’s most fresh and effective. It’s completely safe to continue enjoying your Tropic products up until their expiration date.”
Pay attention to changes in products’ appearance
Susie added: “Another way to tell if your skincare is expired is to pay attention to its appearance and texture. Expired skincare products may have a strange odour, a change in colour or consistency, or a separation of ingredients.
“So keep an eye on your regular products, if you spot a change it may be time to buy a new one.”
Importantly, she noted that how you store skincare products can also affect their quality – they should be kept in a cool, dark space (like a bathroom cabinet, rather than a shelf).
This is especially crucial for items with active ingredients like vitamin C, which can oxidise when exposed to sunlight.