Does Retinol Expire? An Explorative Piece

Does retinol expire? Is it possible for such an effective skincare ingredient to go bad? And most importantly, what would happen if one (accidentally or intentionally) used expired retinol? Let's attempt to get to the bottom of this interesting conundrum, shall we?

Here's the thing: Retinol is, without a doubt, the undisputed superstar when it comes to skincare matters. The ability of this vitamin A derivative to banish pimples, reduce the conspicuousness of fine lines, fade hyperpigmentation patches and stimulate the production of collagen is virtually unmatched. It's no wonder anti-aging creams and lotions like Maryan Retinol Cream feature it as its number active ingredient in their formulations. You simply cannot go wrong with retinol when it comes to getting the perfect complexion. Nonetheless, just like everything else in life, retinol has its 'sell-by' date, and here's everything you should about it.

When Does Retinol Expire?

Now that you are aware that the effectiveness of retinol does not last forever, the next obvious question usually is; when does retinol expire?

When exactly retinol expires ultimately depends on the exact formulation used by the manufacturer to deploy it, either as skincare or an anti-aging ingredient. You see, as much as retinoids might be one of the most powerful complexion-friendly ingredients out there, they are also among some of the most unstable organic compounds when periodically exposed to light, air, or heat. In other words, pay close attention to the expiry date indicated by the manufacturer.

Why Does Retinol Expire?

So, why does retinol cream expire and why does it have such a short shelf-life compared to other skincare ingredients? For starters, pure retinol is highly unstable. For this reason, most manufacturers have to resort to combining it with other organic compounds to form retinol in a bid to improve its longevity. Otherwise, this vitamin A derivative would become ineffective a few days after exposure to the environment.

How to Increase or Sustain the Longevity of your Retinol-Containing Skincare Product

Whether it's a retinoid-containing dark sport corrector such as Maryann's Radiance Cream or pure retinol serum, there exists a few hacks that you can employ to extend the shelf-life of your favorite skincare product. Here are some of them.

• Always keep the product covered - Many of us have a habit of forgetting to replace the lid or cap of the tub containing this vitamin A derivative. However, you ought to know that exposure to light and air can distort the organic chemical structure of retinol to a compound that is essentially useless to our skin. If anything, this is the same reason manufacturers will often package retinol-containing creams in opaque plastic, sealed tubes, or dark glass to preserve the potency of the formula for as long as possible.
• Keep it in a cool and dry place: Avoid storing your retinol-containing skincare products in direct sunlight or near a source of heat e.g a furnace or on top of electronic devices. In fact, if possible make sure that these skincare products are always in a dark place, preferable below room temperature. The reason for this is that, just like light, heat can also alter the composition of retinol thereby rendering it ineffective for optimum use.

In Closing

Above all, always pay attention to how your skin feels or reacts after using a retinol-containng product. As much as there is no guaranteed or magic indicator to tell whether or not retinol has expired, you can always rely on cues such as ineffectiveness in getting the desired results which can tell you that indeed the retinol is no longer as potent as it once was.