Does CeraVe have an expiration date?

How do you check your CeraVe product?

1. 1Identify the product category. A plain cleanser or moisturizer is different from a sunscreen, SPF moisturizer or acne treatment under US rules.
2. 2Read both the container and the outer packaging. Look for a printed expiration or best before date, plus any period after opening information.
3. 3If you find an open jar symbol with a number and M, read the number as months of use after opening. For example, 12M means 12 months after you first open the product, not after you buy it.
4. 4Check the opening date against that limit and check any printed expiry date separately. Follow the instructions on your own pack rather than borrowing a shelf life from another product.

A batch number identifies a product batch; it is not an expiration date written in a secret skincare dialect. British cosmetic packaging lists identification information separately from date information, so do not treat an unexplained code as a usable expiry date.2

What if your cleanser or moisturizer has no date?

In the US, ordinary cosmetics are not legally required to carry expiration dates or have a specific shelf life. A missing date on a plain CeraVe cleanser or moisturizer therefore does not automatically mean something is wrong with the packaging. It also does not mean the contents last indefinitely. Shelf life depends on the product, how you use it and how you store it. Ask the manufacturer about the exact product if its usable life is unclear.1

In Great Britain, cosmetic packaging carries date information, subject to exceptions. A best before date concerns the product's usable life, while a period after opening tells you how long it remains safe to use once opened. Those are different checks: buying a product recently does not tell you when someone first opened it.2

Do CeraVe sunscreens and SPF moisturizers expire?

Yes. CeraVe says sunscreen products must carry an expiration date or remain effective for at least three years under US rules. Throw away sunscreen that has passed its expiration date. That three year rule is about sunscreen stability, not a universal countdown for every CeraVe product.4

An SPF moisturizer counts as both a cosmetic and a drug in the US, even if 'moisturizer' gets the larger billing. Include it in your sunscreen expiry checks rather than treating it as a plain face cream. In the UK, also check the open jar symbol for the allowed number of months after opening.13

Can a product deteriorate before its date?

Yes. Cosmetics can separate, dry out, change colour or texture, or develop a different smell. Preservatives can break down over time, and dipping fingers into a product introduces bacteria and fungi. Bathroom moisture can also encourage their growth. A date is not a reason to ignore changes in the contents.1

Keep containers clean and avoid storing cosmetics in heat, such as a hot car. Keep CeraVe sunscreen away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures, which can make it expire faster or become less effective.14

Does Eucerin have an expiration date?

Eucerin's UK sunscreen expiry dates appear on the packaging. Eucerin describes most sunscreens as having a 36 month expiry and usually a 12 month period after opening; use your own pack's limits rather than assuming those numbers apply to every Eucerin product. Replace sunscreen that becomes discoloured, watery or different smelling, because degraded sunscreen offers less protection.5

For a US Eucerin product with unclear markings, its consumer contact form accepts the product name, UPC, manufacturing code and expiration date when applicable. You can also attach a packaging photo when asking about the product.6