Generally, skincare products are best when you buy them fresh off the shelf when you need them. In particular, if skincare products contain active ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, or even sunscreens, they can lose effectiveness inside the bottle over time—yes, even if you haven’t opened it!
It is best to store skincare away from direct sunlight, minimizing air exposure, and in a cool dry place.
When storing skincare:
🤍 Keep it away from direct UV exposure
🤍 minimize air exposure
🤍 store in a dry and cool place if possible
If you opened up your skincare product, try using it as soon as possible. Don’t reach for these products if you left them open for over a year!
These are the top 3 products that you shouldn’t stock UP!
1.Vitamin C
Vitamin C is unstable and easy to oxidize. It can easily break down into ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid. The vitamin C molecule can also be broken down into diketogulonic acid or oxalic acid. These are the reasons why you should not use old vitamin c. If you are using old vitamin c, then you are not getting the full benefits of this essential nutrient.
2.Retinol
Retinol is a form of vitamin A that can be found in many anti-aging products. It helps with wrinkles and skin discoloration. Retinol is unstable and easy to oxidize, so it should be used as soon as possible once opened. An open bottle of retinol has a higher chance of breaking down and oxidizing because the ingredients are unstable. Expired retinol can cause redness, irritation, and stinging when applied to the skin. The shelf life of retinol is only about six months to a year. If you are not sure how old your retinol product is, you should not use it because it might have expired.
3.Sunscreen
Sunscreen is one of the most important things to put on before going outside. It protects against UV radiation and prevents skin cancer. Sunscreen has two main purposes: to prevent sunburns and to protect skin from longer-term damage caused by exposure to the sun. A lot of people don’t know that sunscreens degrade inside the package. This is because they are exposed to light, air, and temperature changes, which all break down the active ingredients. It is important to note that the FDA does not regulate sunscreen ingredients, so it is hard to know if the product is still effective. The FDA has set a limit of three years for how long you can use an unopened sunscreen before it expires. So, if you have an old, opened sunscreen sitting in your bathroom cabinet, it’s time to throw it away and get a new one!
