Should Your Creams & Lotions Have An Expiration Date?
Most commercial creams and lotions don’t have an expiration or freshness date because the use of parabens and other synthetic preservatives ensures that the product has an almost indefinite shelf life. Remember, the benefits of using natural products come with regular use, If your skin is dry and you switch to a healthier product you will notice a difference right away but to realize the benefits of that improvement going forward, you need to use the product on a regular basis.
On the upside, having a freshness date on your product reminds you to use it up while it’s still fresh and can have the maximum impact, rather than leaving it unused on a shelf or in a bag somewhere where it will just oxidize and eventually turn rancid.
When it comes to aromatherapy products, the fresher they are the more effective they’ll be in helping you achieve a desired result (i.e. stress relief, mood enhancement, energizing, etc.). On their own, quality essential oils have an exceptionally long shelf life provided they are stored away from heat and light. Because of that, they can help improve the longevity and shelf life of products that contain them. Their natural anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties can also help preserve the shelf life of the products they’re in. But at the end of the day, the sum total of the combination of ingredients in a product, ultimately determines how long it will maintain its overall freshness.
Generally speaking, natural products that don’t require refrigeration should last at least 12-18 months from the date of manufacture before losing their effectiveness. Be weary of expiration or freshness dates that go well into the future from the time you buy them as these most likely have synthetic preservatives or the manufacturer is betting that you’ll use them up long before they lose their potency!
