What is the shelf life of retinol?

How do you find your retinol's expiry date?

1. 1Check the container and box for an expiry date and any specific instructions about how long to use the product after opening.
2. 2Look for the open jar symbol with a number followed by M. The number means months after opening, not months after purchase.
3. 3Write down the date you first open the product so you can calculate its replacement date.
4. 4If the lifetime or storage instructions are missing or unclear, contact the manufacturer rather than assigning the product a generic retinol expiry date.

In the United States, cosmetics do not have to carry an expiry date or an after opening symbol. A missing date therefore does not mean a retinol cosmetic lasts indefinitely. The label matters more than a generic internet countdown, even if the countdown has a much better graphic.13

How long does unopened retinol last?

An unopened product's shelf life and its lifetime after opening are different limits. The Ordinary gives a shelf life of three years for its products without a stated expiry date when unopened and stored at room temperature. After opening, the brand directs you to the after opening symbol. That three year figure is a brand specific example, not a rule for every retinol serum or cream. Opening a bottle does not reset a printed expiry date.4

How should you store retinol?

Retinol is sensitive to light, oxygen and heat. Keep the container securely closed between uses and away from direct sunlight and hot places, including a parked car. Keep containers and applicators clean. A dry storage spot is preferable to a damp bathroom, where moisture can make it easier for bacteria and fungi to grow.135

Refrigerate retinol when its directions require it; do not assume every formula needs the same storage. The Ordinary specifically requires refrigeration after opening for its retinols. Encapsulation, which surrounds retinol in protective particles, and antioxidants can improve stability. The finished formula still determines the usable lifetime, so an encapsulated retinol does not get an automatic extension.456

How can you tell if retinol has gone bad?

General cosmetic warning signs include a changed color, an unpleasant smell, separation or a noticeably different consistency. Discard a retinol product with these changes rather than continuing until the container is empty. Preservatives can break down over time, allowing bacteria and fungi to grow. Shelf life covers both staying safe and performing as expected, not just looking acceptable.13

The bottle can still have plenty left when its usable life ends, which is an awkward feature of skincare sold by volume. Do not use the amount remaining as your replacement schedule.3

What is the shelf life of retinol cream?

Retinol cream follows the same product specific approach: check its expiry date, after opening limit and storage instructions. Being a cream rather than a serum does not supply a universal number of months. Creams made from mixtures of water and oil can separate over time. If the cream comes in a jar, dipping fingers into it adds microorganisms, so keep your hands and the container clean. Do not apply another serum's three month limit to your cream unless its own directions specify that limit.1