Does eye cream expire?

How long can you keep eye cream?

There is no single shelf life for every eye cream. How long a cosmetic stays usable depends on its formula, how you use it and where you store it. Eye area cosmetics tend to have shorter shelf lives than other cosmetics. Use the instructions for your cream rather than borrowing a replacement schedule from mascara or another product.1

1. 1Check the container and box for an expiry date and an open jar symbol.
2. 2Read the number beside the letter M as months after opening. For example, 6M means six months after you first open the product, not six months after purchase.
3. 3Write the opening date on the container so you can work out its replacement date.
4. 4If neither a date nor an opening symbol appears, ask the manufacturer how long that particular eye cream should be kept.

An expiry date and an opening symbol answer different questions, despite packaging's commitment to making both look like tiny paperwork. In the United States, ordinary cosmetics do not have to carry either an expiry date or period after opening information. A missing date is not permission to keep the cream indefinitely. If your eye cream includes sunscreen, treat its sunscreen expiry date as a replacement deadline.13

How can you tell eye cream has gone bad?

These are general cosmetic spoilage signs you can apply to eye cream. Replace the cream if you notice any of the following, even before its labelled replacement date:2

• A new unpleasant or sour smell.
• A change in colour.
• Separation into distinct layers.
• A texture that has become gritty, clumpy, unusually runny or dried out.
• A different feel on your skin.

Creams are prone to contamination by microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, so preservatives are added to improve shelf life. Preservatives can break down over time. Water and oil mixtures can also separate, while exposure to air, sunlight and changing temperatures can alter a cosmetic's smell, colour and texture.14

Does unopened eye cream expire too?

Yes. Keeping a cream unopened avoids repeated exposure during use, but storage conditions still affect its shelf life. Heat and sunlight can damage cosmetics before you finish them. Follow any printed expiry date on an unopened cream; the open jar symbol counts from opening instead.123

How should you store and handle eye cream?

Store eye cream in a clean, dry place at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and hot cars. Keep the lid firmly closed after each use, because the jar does not need a permanent open door policy. Wash your hands before applying eye cream, keep the container and any applicator clean, and do not share it. Touching a product repeatedly adds bacteria; bathroom moisture can also encourage bacteria and fungi to grow.1235

When should you stop using it?

Stop immediately if eye cream causes irritation. See a doctor if irritation persists. Avoid eye cosmetics while you have an eye infection or inflamed skin around the eye, and wait until the area has healed before using them again. If you develop an eye infection, contact your healthcare provider and discard the eye cosmetics you were using when it started.15