Does Shampoo Expire? Here’s What You Should Know

Cleaning out the cabinets under the bathroom sink isn’t on the top of our chore list. To be honest, some of us haven’t organized the bathroom or tossed old shampoo bottles since we last moved. There are definitely times when a bottle of shampoo or conditioner unexpectedly reemerges from the back of a cabinet or linen closet. Is using a bottle of shampoo you purchased three years ago okay? Does shampoo have a shelf life, and what happens if you lather up your hair with expired shampoo or conditioner? We’ll answer all these questions and more, so you’ll know when to toss old shampoo bottles and when to lather up.

Does Shampoo Expire?

While the FDA doesn’t require cosmetics to include expiration dates, shampoos and conditioners do expire. Once a shampoo bottle is opened, it’s exposed to air, humidity, and all the organisms that grow in your bathroom. Over time, preservatives break down and allow the shampoo to go bad. Hair care products also become less effective at cleaning and moisturizing over time.

What Is The Shelf Life Of Shampoo?

Shampoo bottles can last for about three years after you purchase them, but that period shortens considerably as soon as you open the bottle. Most companies test their products to see how long they last after opening. Look for the “period after opening,” or PAO, on the bottle. The bottle may have a small symbol that looks like an open lid labeled with a figure such as 12M, 18M, or 24M. This indicates how many months you can use the bottle after opening.

If you don’t see a shelf life listed on the shampoo bottle, most can be safely used for about 18 months after opening. Natural hair products that lack preservatives could last six months or a year. Check the hair care company’s website for information on how long a product lasts.

But it’s not always easy to remember how long ago you bought that old shampoo bottle tucked in the back of a cupboard. In this case, look for signs that the shampoo has gone bad.

How Do You Know If Shampoo Is Bad?

Check if a shampoo or conditioner is bad by squirting some out into a small container or your hand. If the shampoo looks lumpy, separated, or discolored, then it’s time to toss the bottle and buy a new one. An off smell also indicates that the shampoo has gone bad. Finally, if you can’t get an old shampoo to lather up, the shelf life has passed.

What Happens If You Use Expired Shampoo?

Using old shampoo doesn’t always harm your hair, but you’ll be less happy with the results. The shampoo won’t clean as well and can leave behind residue that makes your hair look dull and lifeless. Worse, shampoo that is full of bacteria and fungi can irritate your scalp, leading to itching, dandruff, and other skin problems. For all of these reasons, you should throw out expired shampoos and conditioners.

How To Keep Shampoo From Going Bad

While all shampoos go bad eventually, there are steps you can take to make them last as long as possible:

• Store hair care products in a cool, dark spot like a cabinet or linen closet until you are ready to use them.
• Always close the lid immediately after using your shampoo so that water can’t get in.
• If a shampoo bottle is almost empty, don’t stick your fingers in the bottle or fill it with water. Instead, store it upside down to make it easier to get shampoo out of the bottle.