Maybe you use shampoo once a week, or maybe you switch between many different products. In either situation, a bottle of shampoo may endure for a long period. This can be beneficial in some ways, but it creates an important question that many people often consider: does shampoo expire?
The answer is, Yes! shampoo does expire, and when it does, using the product is not a good idea. Before you lather up, learn about shampoo expiration dates, how to detect if a bottle is outside of its prime, and what factors can affect shelf life.
Does Shampoo Expire?
The answer is an absolute yes. However, you should be aware that a shampoo’s specific use-by date is determined by the manufacturer.
This is because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the cosmetic shelf life of beauty goods such as shampoo. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration has stated: “There are no U.S. laws or regulations that require cosmetics to have specific shelf lives or have expiration dates on their labels.” As a result, it is up to the brand to assure product safety.
Personal care items, such as shampoo, typically include an expiry date and/or a “period after opening” advice. The latter refers to the ideal shelf life of shampoos. According to the FDA, this is “the length of time you can expect a product to look and act as expected and to stay safe for use.”
Check your shampoo’s label for any piece of information to determine how long it should stay in your shower stall. For the “period after opening” (PAO) symbol, simply search for a small container logo with a number. It is frequently found near the bottom of the packing label in a variety of:
- 6M: Your shampoo lasts six months after opening.
- 12M: Your shampoo is good for twelve months after opening.
- 18M: Your shampoo has an 18-month shelf life after opening.
- 24M: Your shampoo has a 24-month shelf life after opening.
How to Determine if Shampoo Has Gone Bad
It is usually suggested to check the expiration date on both opened and unopened shampoos. If that is not printed on the bottle, look for the PAO logo to determine whether your shampoo is here to stay or gone.
If neither of these are available, or you just can’t remember when you initially purchased and/or opened the shampoo, there are a few ways to identify if it has expired:
- Visual Inspection: Uncap the shampoo bottle and examine the liquid inside. If it’s gone bad, the oil-based ingredients (such as butter and essential oils) will typically separate toward the top. In addition, chemical changes such as oxidation might cause the shampoo to seem discolored or lumpy.
- Take smell: Take a careful whiff. Does the smell appear milder than it once did? Perhaps your nostrils are attacked by a strong putrid odor? Regardless, your shampoo has most certainly expired.
- Use on you: If there’s no evident sign that the shampoo has gone bad and you’re ready to take the risk, use it. If you notice that the shampoo’s cleansing properties are slightly lacking (for example, there is much less foam), it is a clear indication that it has lost its potency and should be discarded.
What can affect the shelf life of shampoo?
To guarantee that your shampoo does not lose its effectiveness before the recommended use by date, make sure to:
- Once you’ve finished using it, close the lid completely.
- Keep unopened shampoo away from extreme temperatures and direct sunlight.
- Keep the shampoo bottle in a cold, dark area.
- Reduce exposure to water droplets and other materials that could taint the product.
When shopping for shampoo, keep in mind that organic and sulfate-free options may have a shorter shelf life. This is due to the lack of preservatives and the addition of more health-based ingredients.
Best Practices for Extending the Life of Your Shampoo
Give your shampoo a proper home so it doesn’t expire before its use-by date. Keep the shampoo away from direct sunlight and other heat sources. It is also advisable to keep unopened hair care items in a cold, dark place.
After each use, ensure that the lid is completely closed or that the bottle is stored in a way that prevents extraneous elements, such as shower water, from entering easily. At Salon Essentials, each shipment of your hair care includes optional pumps for easy storage.
What happens when you use expired shampoo?
First, some good news: Using out of date shampoo is unlikely to cause your hair to fall out or become severely damaged. It frequently simply implies that it will not operate as well. You may notice that it no longer cleans your hair as well as it used to. Or, if you have a product that claims to do something special (such as a shampoo for oily or curly hair), you may realize that it does not live up to its promise.
There is also a potential that your shampoo will start to appear or smell strange. After the product expires, the shampoo’s preservation is not guaranteed, which means that germs might grow and cause the product to smell, change color, or change viscosity.
Conclusion
Maintaining the quality and effectiveness of your shampoo is important for keeping your hair looking and feeling great. Shampoo, like other personal care products, has a shelf life, and using it after it expires can result in less effective outcomes and other changes to the product’s composition. To keep your shampoo in good condition, keep track of expiration dates and store your items correctly.
Salon Essentials LLC is committed to providing high-quality hair care products that fit your demands. Visit our website today to learn more about our quality full products and how we can help you create the ideal hair care program.