Out With the Old and In With the New (Products)

by Valerie Gladstone — January 9, 2008

I don't know about you, but I seem to be unable to throw away products even after I haven't used them for months. I guess I think I'm being economical. But what I'm really being is dumb -- dumb in the sense of taking a chance on using a contaminated product. I sure wouldn't do the same with food. Here are some tips for handling the situation:

• Even though products can typically be kept unopened for 3 years, this number decreases to about 18 months after it has been opened. The shelf life of opened products is decreased by about 50 percent because they come in contact with bacteria from skin or become diluted from drops of water.
• To get the most out of your purchase, aim for products in spray containers, which last longer even after opening. Products such as aerosols are sealed and don't run the risk of contamination or dilution, so their shelf life is not shortened once opened.
• When buying conditioners, opt for tubes instead of jars.
• Even if hair care items stay unopened, they expire after 3 years. Over time, oxidation, heat, and even light can diminish the full potency of natural and organic ingredients.
• To fully take advantage of shelf life, keep products you're not using in a cool, dark place.
• The best way to tell when a product is expired is by its texture and scent. Creams will usually separate or curdle. A dark yellow color is another sign that a product is "past its prime."
• But even if you're not keeping track of the way every product in your bathroom cabinet originally smelled and looked, you should still be able to tell. If the smell is unpleasant, such as a dirty or sour smell, it's a good indication.
• The good news is that expired products aren't harmful to hair, with only a small chance of scalp irritation. But regardless of irritation, many hair products simply become ineffective without visible changes in texture and smell.
• Label the goods with dates using a permanent marker that doesn't rub off in the shower. This way, you can store products that could come in handy with seasonal changes instead of cluttering your bathroom.

So when it comes to what's in your bathroom cabinet, use products with caution. And if you don't already do so, get in the habit of labeling -- or at least remember when you bought what.