What happens if I use expired hair products? (2023)

How long product can be used after expiration date?

Stores use this date to know when to remove products from shelves. You can eat food after the sell-by date. For example, dairy products are good for 1 week after the sell-by date. Eggs are safe for 3 to 5 weeks after the sell-by date.

The product may not work as well as it did when it was new, and it could even damage your hair. You may also experience some adverse reaction such as an itchy scalp, redness, or even hair loss. So it's generally not a good idea to use expired hair products.

The use of expired shampoo can cause your hair to look dirty and dull. Expired shampoo may also cause irritation or itchiness to your scalp and eyes owing to the chemical change and allergens. You may get a scalp infection in the worst-case scenario, depending on the bacteria's virulence factors.

Whether you're using a shampoo and conditioner, dye, bleach, or another type of beauty product, using a beauty product beyond its expiration date isn't recommended.

Some expired foods can expose you to dangerous bacteria or toxins that can make you ill. Molds, bacteria, and yeast can cause food to go bad and create stomach issues just as those experienced with food poisoning.

They actually indicate when a product has reached its peak quality or flavor. Some foods may still be safe to eat after the use-by date. It's important to check for spoilage to determine if you should consume something. Storing foods at the proper temperature and keeping track of shelf life can also help.

All hair products that have chemicals contribute to hair loss. Hair dyes, hair styling gels, keratin treatments, and hair sprays make the hair roots weak. Shampoos and conditioners are less likely to cause hair loss unless they have a high chemical presence.

Based on our research, the product is unlikely safe to use and should be considered an expired hair product. However, “unopened” is the keyword to consider. If a product has been opened, the expiration dates often should be reduced by half or dropped even lower once you crack the seal and start using the product.

Shampoo does expire, but you're probably curious about how long your shampoo can last before you bid it adieu. As a rule of thumb, an unopened bottle of shampoo can probably last for 2-4 years if properly stored. Meanwhile, an opened bottle of shampoo may go bad anywhere between six months to two years.

Which product never expires?

Sugar, including Granulated sugar Powdered sugar Brown sugar. Vinegar, including: apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, distilled vinegar, red wine vinegar, rice vinegar (unseasoned) and white wine vinegar. Vanilla extract (pure). White rice.

The dates solely indicate freshness, and are used by manufacturers to convey when the product is at its peak. That means the food does not expire in the sense of becoming inedible. For un-refrigerated foods, there may be no difference in taste or quality, and expired foods won't necessarily make people sick.

Here are some shampoo ingredients you want to avoid: Sulfates: they increase skin sensitivity and strip hair of their natural oils, causing dryness. Parabens: they increase the risk of skin cancer. Phthalates: they are dangerous to the environment and cause hormonal disruptions.

It's been suggested that both sulfates (cleansing agents) and formaldehyde (a preservative) can contribute to hair loss.

Just as milk that has gone bad loses its natural taste, hair oil that has gone bad will often lose its ability to soften, hydrate, and otherwise treat and improve your hair. If your hair product no longer performs as it once did, chances are it's time to junk it.

Non-aerosol products like shampoos and conditioners are said to have a shelf-life of 12 to 18 months after opening. Aerosol products like texturizing sprays and dry shampoos, however, can last longer because of their limited exposure to air.

Like toothpaste, an expired facial or body cleanser is still useable but it will be less effective than a version that hasn't passed the PAO, said Dr Gan. “However, individuals with sensitive skin should avoid expired products completely.”