Cosmetics question...?

Question

HI! I'm going through all this stuff from my bathroom drawers, and i have a bunch of bath and body works stuff from like, 5 years ago, lol =P my friend gave a bunch to me for my birthday back then, and i was wondering if i should through it away. It smells fine, and it doesn't look bad, but it's 5 years old.... I don't really wanna trow it away since it's nice stuff ( i got it when i was pretty little, so it's hardly used cuz i didn't put on stuff like that) but i don't wanna use it if it's, yah know.... all yuckified.... lol =) So, do you think it's fine, or should i just toss it due to the fact it's so old? By the way, it's lotion, lip gloss, and some body spray.

Yah, there's not exparation date. Well, not that I can find, lol

Btw, I'm not a pack rat kristi, lol =) that's like, the only thing i have that's been around that long =) just wanted to clear that up so no one thinks i'm a pack rat

Answer 1

You should toss it; 5 years is way too long.

Know When to Throw

So how can you tell when a product's fit for the bin? 'It depends on the ingredients and the preservatives in a product', says Dr. Bowler, 'but as a rule of thumb most products without a use-by date should be used within three years of leaving the factory.' It sounds like a long time, but what can you expect if you decide to hang on to a product for longer than that?

'Most products are packed with preservatives - in some cases as many as five or six - to ensure that they don't allow bacteria to breed easily,' says Dr. Bowler. 'So, in most cases, once a product is past its use-by date you'll simply end up with something that looks and smells "off," is unpleasant to use and is no longer effective." The worse case scenario is that you could develop a nasty rash or skin infection if the product has become contaminated with bacteria. However, the chances of this happening are extremely rare, because most cosmetics these days are packed with such large doses of preservatives. http://www.ivillage.co.uk/beauty/makeup/tips/articles/0,,548145_183872-1,00.html

Here are some more links re: shelf life of cosmetics: http://www.askjanice.com/tutorials/expired.asp
http://reviews.ebay.com/What-is-the-Shelf-Life-for-Cosmetics_W0QQugidZ10000000002340154

Answer 2

My question is why havent you used it in the last five years? If you havent used it by now I would throw it away. You are cleaning out your bathroom or are you just looking at everything you have? If you have a lot of stuff accumulated over time like this in your bathroom, what other rooms have things you havent used in 5 years? One way I keep organized is basically a rule of thumb, if I havent used it in 6 months I probably will never use it and I throw it out. I'm glad I learned this early on because I hate going into a house with clutter and mess everywhere. You need to control your habits like this one or you might turn into a pack rat. Ick!

To answer your question everything but the lip gloss should be fine. I would shake up any lotion you have before you use it.

Answer 3

The lotion and body spray is fine.The only think that might not be ok is the lip gloss. But it it smells fine and looks fine i say go ahead and use it. Maybe there is a date on it that says when to throw out?

Answer 4

I'm the same way- tons of old bath and body works!! The lotion and body spray should be fine if they smell fine and are not discolored. I would throw the lipgloss out though, the parts can seperate and get gross... the lifespan is not as long on makeup products.

Answer 5

lotion and spray cannot go bad, but maybe the lip gloss. Try it

Answer 6

you should check if they have an expiry date other wise sounds good :D

Answer 7

the SAME thing happen to me. go ahead and do it. its fine.

Answer 8

i would just throw it away and buy new stuff

Answer 9

i would still use it.