What happens if you leave a shampoo bottle open?

09 Apr.,2024

 

 

Spring Cleaning: The Shelf Lives of Shampoo and Conditioner

Are you using expired hair care products and don’t even know it? Now that the weather is turning warm (finally!) it’s time to start thinking about throwing away some of those out dated beauty products you’ve collected from seasons past. That doesn’t just include papers, dust bunnies and fast food leftovers in the fridge; it also includes things in your bathroom such as old shampoo and conditioner bottles.

Didn’t know these products could expire? You’re not alone, actually. It doesn’t help the FDA doesn’t make manufacturers label their products with expiration dates which means the whole process is voluntary.

Harming Your Hair & Scalp

According to the FDA website, they only look at cosmetics to see if there are color additives and if the product does what the label says. Does the shampoo de-frizz hair? Yes. What if that same product goes bad the day after you buy it? You may be out of luck, that’s under the FDA’s umbrella. It’s entirely up to the manufacturer to include an expiration date.

But is it really that dire? What can bad product actually do to you? At the very least you’re applying product to your hair that does absolute nothing. Over time the actual product becomes less effective and won’t perform as intended.  For example, de-frizzing shampoo will do little to nothing for fixing the frizzies if the product is four years old.

A worst case scenario is using the offending product on your hair and scalp and risking possible infection. Product goes bad due to contact with human skin and drops of water. Over time as the product deteriorates harmful bacteria gets into the bottle.  To maximize the product’s life keep in mind to keep your fingers out.  There’s less risk of bacterial contamination that way.

Do you still have questions about how you might possibly be harming your hair? Are you not sure what the best hair care routine is for you? Come in to our salon for your free consultation! Cal (770) 345-9411 to schedule an appointment.

How to Check 

So if there’s no mandatory labeling on bottles, how are you supposed to know if the product is actually bad? Extremely expired bottles of shampoo and conditioner typically smell funny or even acrid and feel funny between your fingers. However, they tend to go bad before strange smells come about.

Always check to see if there is an expiration date on the bottle. The expiration symbol will typically be located near the products UPC and will display the drawing of a little container with a number inside of it, like 6, 8, or 12. That means you have 6, 8, or 12 months of use after you open the bottle, double that if you don’t touch it.

If there’s no label, a good rule is to keep unopened bottles for no more than three years and an opened bottle for at most 18 months.  Anything after that you may be pushing your luck! You may find some product doesn’t necessarily follow these rules, so it may be helpful to keep an “expiration journal” for your favorites so you know when they tend to go bad.

 

 

Natural Shampoo and Conditioner

Keep in mind this salubrious practice is mostly  for your typical shampoo and conditioner products. If you use “natural” versions, the rules are quite different. Regular hair care products include additives and preservatives to help extend their shelf life. Natural products don’t include these same additives and preservatives — which means you will have to keep a sharp eye (and nose) out. Kerastase Aura Botanica Bain Micellaire Gentle Aromatic Shampoo and Aura Botanica Soin Fondamental Conditioner are naturally derived, but have a long 12-month shelf life.

Extending Life

As for extending products’ life, try to buy items that are in spray containers or tubes. The less chance oxygen or water droplets have to get inside to hurt the product the longer your stuff will last. Although you may be tempted to add water or other chemicals to your product, do not do so unless the manufacturer says to. Also, store them in cool, dark places when you’re not using them as constant light might further the deterioration process along.

Hopefully all this doesn’t scare you away from your favorite shampoos and conditioners. It just pays to know a little more about some of your beloved hair care products. Now you can be sure your hair will have the protection it needs all year long!

Are you guilty of storing some old, expired and useless hair care products? Come on into the salon and we’ll get you set up with brand new stuff! To schedule your confidential consultation for your hair care, call Jyl Craven Hair Design today call (770) 345-9411.

What to Expect from the Best Hair Salon in Canton, GA

Did you know that Jyl Craven Hair Salon is the best hair salon for thinning hair solutions? Give us a call to learn more about how to add life to your fine or thinning hair.

At the best hair Salon in Canton, GA you can expect to receive first class service and attention to what you need. When you come in, appointment or not, you’ll be greeted by warm smiling receptionists. If your stylist isn’t already ready to see you, you’ll relax in our waiting area where you can take a peek at our stylists hard at work.Our experts at Jyl Craven Hair design want to make sure you get the experience you deserve wether you’re getting a new haircut, color, or hair treatment.

Our first time guests also get a special offer as a welcome gift. You can consult with a stylist to figure out exactly what you want in your new look. If you are looking for a new hair color, you can review our color books with hair samples that show all the nuances of color shades, the hairdresser will assess details like your hair texture, strand length and density.

If you’re looking to change-up your hair style, our stylists will take the time to understand what you want and make sure your vision becomes a reality. After you’re done with your appointment, we’ll give you further tips on taking care of your fresh new look and anything else you’re curious about. We might even snap your picture to give our other stylists something to aspire to. We’re waiting to welcome you to our salon. We guarantee that we’ll make you feel at home right before we make you feel fabulous. We’re here for you and your hair and we’ll do anything to make both happy! We believe that everyone should feel confident in the way they look and we strive to make you look and feel your best!

What the people of Canton are saying

Hear what some of Jyl Craven salon guests are saying.

“I enjoy coming here to get my hair done, they make you feel very comfortable and they treat you so well every one of them, I have been going here for a while and it’s still feels like the first time I came you are still treated great and everyone is very friendly I give them a five star all day long.” – Debbie 

“My stylist is awesome! Such a great atmosphere. Never disappointed! 5 stars. A++++.” – Rebecca

“JYL Craven Hair Design is like a little piece of Buckhead located in Canton.  My regular stylist was on vacation and the stylist who did my hair was just as talented and knowledgeable.   The customer service is top notch and the facilities are amazing.” – Kevin

Scheduling an appointment at our Canton salon is easy! Call us today at (770) 345-9411 to book an appointment with a stylist. A helpful guest experience coordinator can help you determine which stylist can best serve your unique needs. Or you can book an appointment online at your convenience.

Spring-cleaning your restroom has been on your to-do list since, like, forever. After taking stock of your shower caddy and bathroom cabinets, you realize you still have some bottles of old shampoo or leftover shampoo bars. But you can’t make out each shampoo’s expiration date.

But the question is: does shampoo expire? If so, how can you tell if you should give your old shampoo a shot or buy a new bottle? Read on to find out the answers. 

Does Shampoo Expire?

First up, does shampoo expire? The answer is a resounding yes. But you should also know that the exact use-by date of a shampoo depends on the manufacturer.

That’s because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate the cosmetic shelf life for beauty products like shampoos. In fact, the FDA has stated that “There are no U.S. laws or regulations that require cosmetics to have specific shelf lives or have expiration dates on their labels.” As such, it boils down to the brand to ensure product safety, which, at Function of Beauty, is something we take very seriously.

Personal care products like shampoos generally come with an expiry date and/or a “period after opening” suggestion. The latter refers to the optimal shelf life of shampoos. The FDA explains that this is “the length of time you can expect a product to look and act as expected and to stay safe for use.”

You can check for either piece of information on your shampoo’s packaging, so you know how long it should reside in your shower stall. In the case of the “period after opening” (PAO) symbol, simply look for a tiny container logo with a number. It’s commonly spotted at the bottom of the packaging label in a range of:

  • 6M:

    Your shampoo is good for six months after opening

  • 12M:

    Your shampoo is good for 12 months after opening

  • 18M:

    Your shampoo is good for 18 months after opening

  • 24M:

    Your shampoo is good for 24 months after opening

If you still aren’t sure how long your shampoo can last after you twist the cap off, try emailing or calling the brand’s customer service department to check with them directly.

How Long Can Shampoo Last Before It Goes Bad?

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. Of course, this would also depend on the type of shampoo formula — specifically, the nature of the preservatives used.

If you’re wondering why preservatives are used in hair care, it’s because many shampoos are water-based, making them the perfect breeding ground for harmful microorganisms. That’s why shampoo products usually contain either natural, naturally derived, or synthetic preservatives to safeguard against such bacterial contamination.

However, natural shampoos may have a shorter shelf life than synthetic versions. As a 2018 study puts it, natural preservatives are less potent than man-made ones in certain kinds of product formulations.

You may have also correctly predicted that opened bottles of shampoo usually turn bad faster than unopened ones. With every use, there’s a higher chance of bacteria entering the bottle and mixing with the product inside. Even if you carefully store your unopened shampoo, it will eventually expire because preservatives gradually wear off with time, making the product unusable.

You can expect a use-by range of a few months to a few years, depending on the ingredient list and the state of your shampoo product.

How To Tell if Your Shampoo Has Expired

You now know the answer to the question, “Does shampoo expire?” The next step is to understand the warning signs of a shampoo gone bad.

For opened and unopened shampoos, it’s always recommended to check the expiration date first. If that’s not printed on the bottle, look for the PAO logo to help you decide if your shampoo is here to stay or go.

If neither of these is available, or you simply can’t remember when you first bought and/or opened the shampoo, there are a few ways to tell if your shampoo has expired:

  • Do a visual inspection:

    Uncap the shampoo bottle and take a look at the liquid inside. If it’s gone bad, usually the oil-based ingredients (say, butter and essential oils) will separate at the top. Also, the shampoo may look discolored or even lumpy due to

    chemical changes

    like oxidation.

  • Let your nose guide you:

    Take a cautious whiff. Does the fragrance seem milder than it used to? Or perhaps your nostrils are assaulted by a strong

    rancid

    smell? Whichever the case, your shampoo has likely expired.

  • Wash your hair with it:

    If there’s no clear evidence that the shampoo has gone off — and you’re willing to chance it — use it. If you notice the shampoo’s cleansing abilities are somewhat lackluster (say, there’s significantly less

    lather

    ), it’s a clear sign that it’s lost its efficacy and should be thrown away.

As you can see, “does shampoo expire” isn’t the only thing you need to know. Equally important are the detective skills that can help you determine if the product is past its prime.

Can You Use Expired Shampoo?

As with all expired products, it’s generally a good rule not to use expired shampoo for health and safety reasons.

Typical shampoo ingredients — including additives, preservatives, and sulfates — break down over time. Using an expired shampoo on your scalp may then lead to inadequate cleansing that could leave your hair dry, dull, and lifeless-looking.

On top of that, the ingredient degradation sets off a mini-explosion of chemical changes inside the shampoo bottle. Although such chemical activity isn’t visible to the naked eye, it may trigger a slew of dermatological problems, such as scalp itching or irritation. Not worth the risk!

How to Properly Store Shampoo

To ensure your shampoo isn’t on its last breath before its use-by date, give it a proper home. Keep the shampoo out of direct sunlight and other heat sources. It’s also good practice to store unopened haircare products in a cool, dark place.

After every use, make sure the lid is completely closed, or the bottle is stored in a way that external elements, like shower water, can’t get inside easily. At Function of Beauty, every shipment of your custom-made hair care comes with optional pumps for fuss-free storage.

Take Care of Your Shampoo So It Can Take Care of You

Does shampoo expire? You bet! Look out for the expiration date and/or recommended “period after opening” date. Keep in mind that the exact best-before date is dependent on the product itself.

To recap, unopened shampoos usually take longer to expire than opened ones. You will also have to factor in the product’s ingredient list. Those with a higher concentration of natural (or naturally derived) substances and fewer synthetic preservatives will likely have a shorter shelf life.

Case in point: Function of Beauty’s custom haircare range uses a mix of synthetic and naturally derived ingredients that are clean and backed by science. That’s why our best-before date is typically 12 months, depending on the specific formulation you choose.

To easily track your shampoo supply, subscribe and become part of the Function of Beauty fam for an auto-refill every three months, on top of our exclusive price discount. You can delay, pause, or cancel your subscription in your account settings at any time.

So, what are you waiting for? Take our hair quiz today!

What happens if you leave a shampoo bottle open?

Does Shampoo Expire? How to Tell If It’s Gone Bad