Does Lotion Expire? The Truth About When To Throw It Out

Many people tend to forget when they opened their lotions or any other personal care products, while others are meticulous and detailed — they often write the dates when they first opened the products on the bottles. If you belong to the latter, good for you. However, experts still recommend checking the formula itself if it smells and any changes in color or texture occur (via WebMD). If your lotion has that rotten egg smell and has a light yellow hue instead of the usual creamy white color, you may want to consider throwing it out.

Sunscreens and other specific types of lotion contain particular ingredients, like skin protectants. Air exposure is usually the cause of why the products oxidize and spoil faster. Lotions with titanium dioxide, benzone, and zinc oxide spoil faster than normal creams. Some experts advise consumers to keep the products only for a few months as opposed to years. Sunscreens have specific Sun Protection Factors (SPFs), and it may be best to get a new bottle every few months to get the product's optimal benefits. Your sunblock that is over a year old may not give you the same level of protection as when you first got the item. For hygiene purposes, consider buying lotions with pumps, as you don't have to stick your fingers inside the product (via Real Simple). In general, lotions can last up to three years if unopened and less if already in-use.