Do Hair Products Expire? Signs to Look Out For

We all think about when our food expires, so we know when to use it and when to avoid it. But did you know hair products can expire, too? 

There’s currently no law in place requiring hair products to display an expiry date – which is why you may have never noticed or thought about when your products might start to go bad or become less effective.

But hair products can and do expire. It may not always be harmful to use them after they’ve expired, but they certainly won’t work as they should and can harm your hair health if you rely on them to wash, detangle or hold your hair in place.

So, how can you tell when your hair products will expire? The hair experts at Milk & Blush explain all... 

When Do Hair Products Expire?

There isn’t a single expiry period that applies to all hair products, and your creams, sprays and liquids will often last longer depending on how they’re stored.

Sealed Hair Products

Sealed products are considered to be safe to use for up to three years as long as they are stored in a cool, dark place. 

And while most of us are not likely to hoard hair products for three years, it can be handy to know if your favourite product ever gets discontinued. 

Natural hair products may have an even shorter shelf life due to the natural ingredients and fragrances. This expiry timeframe is believed to decrease to 18 months once the product has been opened and exposed to heat, light, air and body contact – so, bear that in mind if you have a product you only use sparingly! 

Hair products expire more rapidly when the product is diluted from exposure to drops of water. Try to use bottles with closed tops that give squeeze or pump delivery if you want your products to last a little longer, as this will minimise body contact and water exposure. 

Sprays and Aerosols

Spray products and aerosols expire much slower than other hair products because they are in sealed containers. 

Because of this air-tight protective barrier, most hair spray products can last up to five years before they expire, so they might not need replacing as regularly as other treatments! 

How to Tell if Your Hair Products Have Gone Off

Not everyone will take three years to finish up their favourite hair products, but if you’ve used a bottle sparingly or found a half-used spray at the back of your bathroom shelf, the best way to check the expiration is to look, feel and smell it. 

If it looks any different, if the texture has changed, or if the scent has deteriorated, then throw it out. While expired hair products won’t damage your hair, they won’t function properly and can leave your hair looking or feeling less than perfect.

How to Avoid Using Expired Hair Products 

One of our best tips for checking if hair products have expired – and to avoid using a product that doesn’t function as it should – is to write the date of purchase and date opened on any bottles you buy in a permanent marker. 

This way, if you buy a backup of a product and find it a few months later, you’ll know exactly when you bought it and if it’s near its expiry date or not!