Does Lotion Expire? Here's How To Tell + Tips To Keep It Fresh For Longer

If you’re like me, chances are you have a giant tub of lotion to slather on post-shower. Leaving the bathroom with slippery, seal-like skin is truly a sensorial dream, and an oversize product oftentimes gives you more bang for your buck. But here's the thing with those mammoth jars (or pumps, or tubes, or what have you): Even if you dip into the goop after every single rinse, it can take months and months to finally scrape your way to the bottom. 

Skin care products don't last forever (makeup too, for that matter), and lotion is no exception. Most bottles come with a suggested "time after opening" date, usually depicted by a number followed by the letter M—this denotes the number of months you can use a product before it's likely time to part ways. For lotion, this number can range anywhere between 12 and 24 months. 

However, expiration dates can differ depending on the product, so be sure to check the label each time. For instance, lightweight hydrators tend to be water-based to achieve a thinner consistency—and as you may know, water creates a fertile breeding ground for bacteria. While most market products do include safe preservatives to make the formula shelf-stable, they still typically have a shorter lifespan. 

Considering lotions are so simple to make at home, you might have a vat or two of DIY lotion in your bathroom. And, well, these options don't come with expiration dates. 

As Jana Blankenship, product formulator and founder of the natural beauty brand Captain Blankenship, tells us about creating your own lotion, keep water-based confections (with aloe, rosewater, and the like) for up to one month. Because DIY formulations don't have preservatives, they don't last too long before becoming rancid—or worse, contaminated. 

Remember when we mentioned that tidbit about user behavior? Here's the thing: You can totally speed up the shelf-life of your lotion, well before hitting the two-year mark. Especially if you're partial to jars or tubs over pumps—every time you open the lid and dunk your fingers inside, you're introducing air, light, and potentially water into the formula, which can cause it to degrade even faster.  

Considering you should slather lotion on damp skin to lock in all that moisture, you might keep your hydrator of choice in the bathroom. Easy access, no? Just remember that heat and humidity can cause a formula with unstable ingredients to degrade faster—both of which surround your bathroom after a steamy shower. 

If your lotion comes in a jar or tub, make sure your fingers are clean and dry before dipping them into the goop. Wet fingers can introduce water to the formula (duh), which can cause bacterial growth down the line—especially if you have a liquid-free DIY formulation. 

You may be thinking: If a lotion is technically past its expiration date yet doesn't show any signs of rancidity, is it safe to use? 

While we admire your loyalty to the coveted lotion, you'll still want to part ways, for a couple of reasons: First, a spoiled product has the potential to cause skin reactions or breakouts for some—even if you don't notice any signs of wear, you don't want to run the risk. Second, it simply may not work as well, especially if there are active ingredients (like antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides) involved.