Do Hair Products Expire?

Today, there are no guidelines or legal requirements for hair products to have any expiration date displayed on them, so you might be forgiven for thinking that they last forever. In fact, hair products do in fact expire, and if you’re like us, trying new products is something we LOVE to do. Here is a go-to guide to know when to chuck those products that may have been hiding in the back of your bathroom closet. 

Sealed products are considered to be safe to use for up to three years but they should be stored in a cool, dry area. While most of us are not likely to store hair products for that amount of time, it can be handy to know if your holy grail product ever gets discontinued.

The time frame is believed to decrease to 18 months once the package has been opened and exposed to air, heat, and light.  Be sure to bear that in mind if you have a product that you only use sparingly because it costs so much.

Hair products expire quicker when it is diluted from exposure to drops of water. Try to use bottles with closed tops or a pump, as this will minimize body contact and water exposure. 

Not all of us will take three years to finish their hair products, but if you’ve invested in an expensive purchase that you use sparingly then the best way to check the expiration is to look at the color and the consistency of the product. If it looks any different, or if the texture has changed throw it out! If you decide that it’s fine to use, just ensure you use it before it is close to expired. Expired hair products won’t do any damage to your hair but they won’t perform their function properly, so make sure you are keeping in mind the expiration date.