How long does Eucerin moisturizer last?

There is no single shelf life to apply to every cream or lotion. How long a cosmetic stays usable depends on the product, storage and use. An ordinary moisturizer can have no printed expiry date under US cosmetic rules, which gives the packaging less to print, not the cream eternal youth.1

  1. 1Look for a printed expiry date and any instructions about how long to use the product after opening.
  2. 2Check for an open jar symbol with a number followed by M. The number means months after opening, not months after purchase.
  3. 3Write the opening date on the container so you can track that period.
  4. 4If there is no usable date or opening instruction, contact Eucerin for the shelf life of your specific product.
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Use the instructions on your own container rather than a shelf life quoted for another product, because a shared logo is not a shared calendar. The absence of an opening symbol does not tell you how long a moisturizer lasts; that information is not required on US cosmetics.12

What if your Eucerin product contains SPF?

In the US, sunscreen and moisturizers with SPF are regulated as drugs. Throw away sunscreen once its printed expiry date has passed. If no expiry date appears, consider it expired three years after purchase, and write the purchase date on the container. If you do not know how old the sunscreen is, discard it. These are US rules; for products bought elsewhere, read the local label.123

Can it go bad before the expiry date?

Yes. Replace sunscreen if it develops a different or foul smell, changes color, separates into layers, or becomes dry and flaky, even before its expiry date. Cosmetics also break down over time: creams can separate, dry out, or change smell and texture. Preservatives can deteriorate, allowing bacteria and fungi to grow.12

Keep containers clean and away from heat and direct sunlight. A hot car can speed up deterioration, while bathroom moisture can encourage microbial growth. Dipping fingers into a cream introduces microorganisms. For sunscreen outdoors, keep the container in shade or wrap it in a towel to protect it from direct sun.13

Where this answer comes from

  1. 1Shelf Life and Expiration Dating of Cosmeticsfda.gov
  2. 2When to toss your makeup and sunscreenaad.org
  3. 3Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sunfda.gov