Does lanolin expire?

Where is the expiration date?

Check the label, container and carton for a printed or stamped date, sometimes following EXP. On Aldermed's Lanolin 50% cream, the expiration date and lot number are on the tube crimp, giving the least glamorous part of the packaging a useful job. That cream contains other ingredients alongside lanolin; its date and directions belong to that formula, not to every product containing lanolin.34

What does the date actually mean?

A medicine's expiration date marks the period during which it is known to retain its strength, quality and purity when stored as directed. Manufacturers use stability testing to establish that period. The date comes from testing, not from the tube's ambition to become a family heirloom. Opening the container does not give you a reason to extend the printed date, and keeping it unopened is not a reason to ignore it.23

Can you use expired lanolin if it looks normal?

Do not use expired medicinal lanolin just because it looks unchanged or there is plenty left. Expired medicines can lose strength or undergo changes in chemical composition. Appearance alone is not a substitute for the expiration date. Replace the expired product rather than giving it an extra few months based on a visual inspection.3

How should you store lanolin?

Keep lanolin ointment at room temperature and close the container between uses. Keep it out of reach of children and pets. Follow any more specific instructions on the package: Aldermed's Lanolin 50% cream calls for storage at 15 to 30°C, or 59 to 86°F, and avoiding excessive heat.14

For medicinal products, a cool, dry drawer or closet shelf is a better storage choice than a damp bathroom cabinet. In a kitchen cabinet, keep the product away from the sink and hot appliances. Poor storage can reduce a medicine's effectiveness before the expiration date, so a date still in the future does not cancel out unsuitable storage.3

What if the lanolin is still in date?

Follow your product's directions for the amount and frequency. Wash your hands before and after applying lanolin ointment, use it externally, and keep it out of your eyes. Lanolin forms an oily barrier that helps prevent water loss. An unexpired product can still cause irritation or an allergic reaction; the expiration date is not an allergy check.1

Stop use and ask a doctor if the treated area worsens or does not improve within a week. Get medical help immediately for trouble breathing or swelling of the mouth, tongue or throat. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with a health professional before using medicinal lanolin. For breastfeeding use, call your doctor if nipples remain sore, crack, bleed or burn.45

How do you dispose of expired lanolin?

For medicinal lanolin, check the package for disposal instructions. A medicine collection program is the preferred option; ask whether it accepts creams and ointments. Do not flush the product or pour it down a drain unless specifically instructed. If no collection program is available, household disposal guidance is to mix the medicine with used coffee grounds or cat litter, seal the mixture in a container that will not leak, and place it in the trash.56