Does Hair Conditioner Expire? A Comprehensive Guide to Hair Product Shelf Life

We take expiration dates seriously, whether it's a gallon of milk or our favorite fragrance. After all, just as past-its-prime food can make you sick, past-their-prime beauty products can be at best ineffective and at worst moldy, irritating, and full of enough bacteria to give even the bravest of us the heebie-jeebies. What you may not realize, though, is that there's a whole other segment of your beauty routine that you may have been leaving out to spoil: your hair products.

While the FDA doesn't mandate expiration dates on makeup, skin, or hair products like they do for food, that doesn't mean your hair products are impervious to expiration. This article delves into the world of hair product expiration, providing you with the knowledge to determine if your deep-conditioning masks, pomades, and shampoos are past their prime.

Understanding Hair Product Expiration

Cosmetic chemist Nick Dindio tells Allure there are two ways in which a hair product could expire: the quality can degrade and cause the product to no longer performs as well, or the product can become susceptible to contamination. When a hair product expires, it essentially means one of two things:

• Degradation of Quality: Over time, the quality of the product can degrade, leading to a decline in its effectiveness. This means the product may no longer perform as well as it should.
• Susceptibility to Contamination: Expired hair products can become susceptible to contamination by microorganisms, posing potential health risks.

"If the product loses some efficacy, there isn't really a problem with using it after its expiration date," he says - other than the potential for disappointment. However, if the product is contaminated with microorganisms, he says, then there could be health risks associated with using the product. Luckily, using a contaminated hair product doesn't pose as great a threat as using contaminated skin care or makeup. "The risk is definitely lower with hair products since it isn't on your skin or around sensitive areas like the eyes and mouth," Dindio says. "But it's still not a good idea to continue use."

Decoding Expiration Dates and Codes

Unfortunately, it's entirely up to each individual brand if it wants to print an expiration date on its products, so many simply don't. Unlike food products, many hair care brands do not include explicit expiration dates on their packaging. However, some brands opt to include a Period After Opening (PAO) mark on their packaging to indicate how long the product will remain fresh after the first use, and lots of hair-care brands have followed suit.

Read also: Lasting Hair Graft Results

Period After Opening (PAO)

To find the PAO mark, look on your product's label for a small drawing of a container marked with a number and the letter M, typically on the back in the lower right-hand corner. The number is an estimate of how many months the product will maintain its quality after it's been opened for the first time. This symbol, represented by an open jar icon with a number followed by the letter "M" (e.g., 6M, 12M), indicates the recommended period in months for using the product after opening.

Batch Codes

No PAO mark on your favorite shine serum? No problem. "When in doubt, there is a batch code on every product, usually on the bottom of the package, which consumers can call to ask the company when the product was manufactured," cosmetic chemist Ginger King tells Allure. Once you have that information, you can make an educated guess regarding how long to hold onto or use the hair product in question. "Usually, unopened products can last three years, and once opened, one year," King says, so you may want to make note of the first time you used your chosen product. If a product lacks an expiration date or PAO, you can contact the manufacturer and provide the batch code (usually found on the packaging) to inquire about the product's manufacturing date. Generally, unopened products can last up to three years, while opened products are best used within one year. It's wise to keep track of when you first started using a product.

"Best Before" Dates

"Best Before" indicates the date until which the product is expected to remain safe and of optimal quality.

Signs of Expired Hair Products

Many of the same guidelines for figuring out the freshness of your makeup and skin-care products carry over to their hair-loving counterparts. How can you tell if your hair products have expired? Here are some telltale signs:

• Changes in Smell: Extremely old shampoos and conditioners typically smell funny or even acrid. If your texturizing spray has taken on a funky smell, it's time to toss it. Unpleasant or significantly altered odors in your haircare products may be a clear indication that they have gone bad.
• Changes in Texture: That dollop of frizz-fighting conditioner looks separated or curdled? To the trash! Pay attention to any changes in the texture of your haircare products.
• Separation or Consistency Changes: If you notice alterations in the consistency or separation of the product, it might indicate that the formulation has broken down. Shake your products before use and observe if they re-emulsify properly. Although it doesn't necessarily indicate contamination, a more watery texture could indicate that your gel-based styling products are past their prime. "Gels may be looser and the polymer holding factor may also lessen," King says.
• Changes in Color: If you notice a significant change in the color of your haircare product, it may indicate degradation.
• Expiration Date: Always check to see if there is an expiration date on the bottle. Check the expiration date on your haircare products. The expiration symbol will typically be located near the product’s UPC and will display the drawing of a little container with a number inside of it, like 6, 8, or 12. That means you have 6, 8, or 12 months of use after you open the bottle; double that if you don’t touch it.
• Visible Mold or Changes in Consistency: Any signs of mold or unusual growth in your haircare products are a clear indication that they are no longer safe for use.
• Packaging Issues: Damaged or compromised packaging can lead to contamination or exposure to air, which may accelerate the degradation of the product.
• Time Passed: And anything that you've been hanging on to for more than three years (like that one shampoo that's been lingering in your old bathroom at your parents' house since high school) is better off headed for the eternal medicine cabinet in the sky. Besides, if you really loved it that much, you'd have used it up by now.

Factors Affecting Shelf Life

Of course, some products are more resilient than others. Here's a breakdown of how different factors can affect the shelf life of your hair products:

Read also: Managing Chemo Hair Loss

• Product Type: Anything that comes in an aerosol can, particularly if it contains alcohol (think hair spray, dry shampoo, mousse) has a pretty serious shelf life because of its limited exposure to air. "In general, shampoos or powder products are OK beyond six months of expiration, but anything that is a cream or mask - emulsion types - you may experience them turning like cottage cheese or separating and they will not be the best to use," King says. Meanwhile, products that regularly see the light of day (or the bacteria-carrying touch of human fingers) - i.e., anything in a jar, like pomades, gels, and styling creams - are going to spoil more quickly.
• Ingredients: Ingredients and texture also make a difference: Hair oils will naturally go rancid within two to three years, and products with a high water content are good breeding grounds for rash- and irritation-causing mold and fungus. Regular hair care products include additives and preservatives to help extend their shelf life. Natural products don’t include these same additives and preservatives - which means you will have to keep a sharp eye (and nose) out.
• Packaging: The less chance oxygen and water has to get inside the products, the longer they will last.
• Storage: The environment your products are kept in can make a huge impact on their staying power. Warm, high-humidity locales (like your bathroom) encourage spoilage, as does anywhere with lots of exposure to light. That doesn't mean you have to banish your conditioner to the hall closet between showers; just resist the urge to ration out that splurge-y shampoo through the next presidential election. For anything that lives in the built-in sauna of your shower, it's use it or lose it.

Extending the Life of Your Hair Products

Here are some tips to help you extend the life of your hair products:

• Proper Storage: Store your hair products in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid storing them in humid environments like the bathroom.
• Avoid Contamination: Always wash your hands before using hair products, especially those in jars or tubs. Avoid dipping your fingers directly into the product; instead, use a clean spatula or spoon.
• Tightly Seal Lids: Tighten product lids securely to minimize air exposure, which can lead to spoilage.
• Purchase Smaller Sizes: When selecting these products, consider purchasing sizes that align with your usage rates. This not only prevents product waste but also ensures that you use the products before they reach their expiration dates.
• Keep the water droplets out: The less chance oxygen and water has to get inside the products, the longer they will last.

The Impact of Expired Hair Products

Can using expired haircare products harm my hair? Using expired haircare products can harm your hair. The active ingredients may degrade, causing reduced efficacy or adverse reactions. Using that old conditioner lurking in your shower might be riskier than you think. Here's what can happen:

• Reduced Efficacy: As time goes on, shampoo and conditioner ingredients change. Proteins break down, active components lose potency, impacting efficacy. The product may not cleanse, condition, or style your hair as effectively as it should.
• Adverse Reactions: Expired products can cause scalp irritation, allergic reactions, or other adverse effects.
• Bacterial Contamination: Once one of the main ingredients of shampoo is water, the moment it gets opened it becomes exposed to air and other contaminants making it susceptible to the growth of harmful microorganisms. Contaminated products can lead to scalp infections or other skin problems.

Natural and Organic Haircare

If you use “natural” versions, the rules are quite different. Natural or organic haircare products have shorter shelf lives due to fewer preservatives. Check labels for recommended usage periods. Regular hair care products include additives and preservatives to help extend their shelf life. Natural products don’t include these same additives and preservatives - which means you will have to keep a sharp eye (and nose) out.

What to Do with Expired Products

When updating your haircare routine, dispose of outdated products responsibly. Check local recycling guidelines for packaging materials.

Apps for Tracking Expiration Dates

After all of that, if you're still not sure whether your hair products have gone the way of last month's lunch meat, apps like Beauty Keeper can help you look up the lot number on your product to find out when it was made and keep track of when things are set to expire.

Read also: Managing Hair Loss from Chemo

Brands Committed to Sustainability

For a sustainable choice, consider 100% PURE! Known for eco friendly-practices, our commitment extends to using sustainable ingredients and environmentally friendly packaging. Our dedication to clean beauty aligns with a conscious approach to both your hair and the planet. Here are some of their popular products:

1. Burdock and Neem Healthy Scalp Shampoo & Conditioner: Burdock and Neem Healthy Scalp Shampoo and Burdock and Neem Healthy Scalp Conditioner are specifically designed for maintaining a healthy scalp. Burdock promotes a balanced scalp environment, while neem offers soothing properties.
2. Yuzu and Pomelo Glossing Shampoo & Conditioner: Infused with the invigorating scents of yuzu and pomelo, this Yuzu and Pomelo Glossing Shampoo and Yuzu and Pomelo Glossing Conditioner duo adds a luxurious gloss to your hair.
3. Glossy Locks Glossing Shampoo & Conditioner: Formulated for those seeking vibrant and luscious locks, the Glossy Locks Glossing Shampoo and Glossy Locks Glossing Conditioner help enhance the natural luster of your hair.
4. Pro-Vitamin B5 Smoothing Hair Serum: The Pro-Vitamin B5 Smoothing Hair Serum is designed to add smoothness and shine to your hair. This serum provides a lightweight and non-greasy formula that helps tame frizz, reduce flyaways, and promote a sleek and polished look.
5. Argan Oil: Known for its nourishing properties, argan oil is a versatile treatment for hair health. Rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants, argan oil helps moisturize and condition the hair, leaving it soft, silky, and more manageable.

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