Is it possible for such a powerful skincare ingredient like retinol to lose its effectiveness over time? What would happen if you used expired retinol, whether by accident or on purpose? This is exactly what we’ll be talking about in this article, so stick around.
Retinol is a form of vitamin A. It’s incredibly popular among skincare enthusiasts because of its ability to clear up acne, reduce fine lines, fade dark spots, and increase collagen production. In short, it's amazing for your skin.
However, like all good things, retinol doesn't last forever. It has an expiration date, and the reason why might surprise you. Let’s dive into the answer to the question “Does retinol expire?” below. We’ll also be talking about skincare methods (like light therapy) that don’t have an expiration date.
What Are Retinoids?
Retinoids are more important than you might think, especially when it comes to skincare. They can brighten your skin, even out your skin tone, prevent sun and age spots, smooth out your wrinkles, and help with acne, too.
They're especially great for those with acne-prone skin who are looking to get into an anti-aging routine. There is a downside, though: retinol doesn't stay fresh for long.
Retinol is very sensitive to light and heat. Like an apple, it expires quite quickly after you open it (i.e. imagine an apple turning brown just minutes after you cut it open). Retinol does something similar, but you won't see it turn brown because it's effective in tiny amounts (just 0.01% can make a big difference).
When it expires, there's not enough of it to change the color of your serum, which is why it's so important to know how long it lasts once you open it.
Why Does Retinol Expire?
So, why does retinol expire? Furthermore, why does it expire so quickly in comparison to other skincare ingredients? One reason is that pure retinol is very unstable. To make it last longer, manufacturers usually mix it with other compounds. Without these additives, retinol would lose its effectiveness within days of exposure to air and light.
When Does Retinol Expire?
Knowing that retinol's effectiveness doesn't last forever, the next question is: when does it expire? The exact expiration date depends on how the manufacturer formulates it (whether as a skincare or anti-aging product).
Despite being one of the best ingredients for your skin, retinoids are also some of the most unstable. They degrade when exposed to light, air, or heat. For this reason, you should always check and follow the expiration date on the package to make sure you’re getting the full benefits of your retinol product.
The Retinol Expiration Process
Yes, retinol does expire, but not exactly how you might think. Legally, brands need to put an expiration date on products with retinol, but the ingredient itself breaks down over time through oxidation. Even though it doesn’t “expire” in a legal sense, it still loses effectiveness as it breaks down.
Shelf life of retinol products
Retinol creams usually last 2 to 3 years, while serums typically expire after 12 months. However, the exact shelf life depends on the product’s formulation. Some retinol creams, for example, can break down in as little as 6 months, while simpler retinol serums might last 12-18 months.
After this time, retinol products may not work as well. It’s also worth mentioning that using products that have been open too long can lead to bacterial infections, which is something we definitely want to avoid in our skincare routines!
Can you use retinol after the expiration date?
It’s not a good idea to use retinol after its expiration date. Expired retinol won’t benefit your skin, and, once again, it could even be harmful because of potential bacteria growth.
Signs That Your Retinol Has Expired
It can be a little bit difficult to tell if your retinol has expired. You’ll want to look for any changes in color, smell, or consistency. Darkening of the product, a change in smell, or a grainy, lumpy texture are all signs your retinol has gone bad.
You can also check the packaging for an expiration date or a PAO (Period After Opening) symbol, which looks like an open jar. Let’s take a closer look at some signs to look out for below:
Change in odor
One clear sign that your retinol has expired is a change in odor. If your retinol product smells different from when you first opened it, it's likely no longer good and should be thrown out. This change in smell indicates that the ingredients have started to break down and might not work as intended.
Change in color
Another thing to watch for is a change in color. If your retinol serum or cream looks darker or has a different hue than when you first got it, that’s a sure sign that it’s past its prime. Retinol can oxidize over time, which affects its color and means it’s losing its effectiveness.
Change in texture
The texture of your retinol product can also tell you if it’s expired. If it feels lumpy or has separated into different layers, that means it’s time to replace it. These changes mean the ingredients may not be active anymore, and using the retinol could actually irritate your skin.
In general, a good rule of thumb is if your retinol starts to look, feel, or smell different, it’s time to throw it out. Not only is the product likely no longer effective, but it could also potentially damage your skin.
Skincare Alternatives to Retinol: Light Therapy
Yes, retinol is good for your skin. The only issue, of course, is that it doesn’t last very long. Thankfully, there are some skincare alternatives to retinol that are just as effective (if not more so when used regularly). One skincare treatment that’s been gaining a lot of popularity lately is light therapy — especially LED light therapy.
LED light therapy is a skin treatment that uses safe, low-level light in different colors (not UV light). These colors include blue, green, red, and infrared. While LED light therapy is usually done at a dermatologist’s office, you can find devices for home use too.
LED lights have been around since the 1960s, but people using them for skin treatment is a more recent phenomenon. The different colors of light penetrate the skin at different depths, which means they’re quite useful for treating different skin conditions, such as:
Acne
Blue light is often used to prevent and get rid of acne. Studies show that it can kill the bacteria that cause acne. It can help reduce oil production, too. Red light is usually combined with blue light to reduce inflammation and redness. You can also combine red light therapy with retinol, just as long as both products are of high quality.
Aging
Red light stimulates fibroblasts, which are cells that produce collagen. Collagen is essential for skin repair. Some studies suggest that red LED light therapy can tighten skin, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, and make skin appear and feel smoother and softer.
Wound healing
Collagen is also important for healing wounds, so the fact that red LED light increases collagen production helps a lot with this. In fact, it’s often used after skin resurfacing surgeries to reduce redness, swelling, and bruising.
How to Store Your Retinol
One of the most common mistakes people make is storing their retinol in their bathroom. If you want to use
retinol and light therapy together, you’re going to want to know how to properly store your retinol. The best way to make sure that your retinol will last for as long as possible will be to keep it covered, and put it in the refrigerator.
You could even keep it in a drawer in your air-conditioned bedroom (just make sure to keep that drawer nice and clean). Anywhere is better than your bathroom — which is probably pretty humid and muggy.
You should also pay close attention to your skin while using retinol. If, after using retinol for a few months, you aren’t noticing results anymore, that might be a sign that it’s time to toss it. Don’t panic if you accidentally use expired retinol. It won’t hurt your skin unless it happens to be infected with bacteria.
Final Thoughts
Retinol is quite effective when it comes to improving skin issues, but, unlike light therapy, it does come with an expiration date. As long as you’re storing your retinol properly, it shouldn’t expire before the expiration date listed on the container. Just don’t keep it in your bathroom. We can’t stress this enough!
If you want to learn more about the effects of skincare products like retinol and LED light therapy masks, don’t hesitate to check out what DermForge has to offer. Not only do we offer a wide range of high-quality light therapy devices, but we have a blog, too! If you’re looking to add something extra to your skincare routine, you’re definitely in the right place.