This set of stackable drawers, which has a 4.8-star average rating from over 210 reviews on Amazon, is perfect for people who have a lot of products and need to access everything quickly. The acrylic material lets you see which drawer has which products, and its design makes retrieving them easy. It has handles to pull the drawers out, and its track allows it to come out smoothly without getting stuck, according to the brand. If you prefer shorter or wider options than this set, the brand also makes them in three additional sizes — 3.5” H, 4.4” H and 6.6” H.
Comes with silicone pads
Reviewers say this portable mini fridge is perfect for small spaces since it’s on the more compact side. It can fit roughly six 12 oz. soda cans and is great for storing things like eye patches and individual sheet masks. It comes with a removable shelf, so you can still fit taller items inside. The fridge, which has a 4.4-star average rating from over 12,700 reviews on Amazon, also has two temperature settings (cool and warm), so you can easily alternate depending on what you store inside.
One of the best ways to preserve your products is by keeping them in containers with a lid, like this option from Yamazaki, which has a 4.6-star average rating from over 140 reviews on Amazon. Its adjustable inner divider lets you customize the organizer’s internal shape to best fit your products. Reviewers say that it’s easy to clean using soap and a damp cloth.
This six-liter (nine 12 oz. soda can capacity) mini fridge is large enough to hold your skin care and other necessities at a chilled temperature without taking too much room on your desk, vanity and more. Reviewers say it’s relatively quiet and makes a very small yet noticeable noise, but it isn’t loud to the point it disrupts conversations or interferes with TV and movie watching. It has a 4.0-star average rating from over 7,100 reviews on Amazon.
One of the key things to look for to determine how long you can use a beauty product is by looking at the period-after-opening symbol (PAO), which you’ll see displayed as an open jar with a cap floating over it, according to Robinson.
This translates to how many months, or how long the product will stay good after you open it, says Hu. There is usually a number and a “M” next to the image indicating the number of months you have until the product expires. For example, “6M” means 6 months and “12M” means 12 months.
“I typically tell consumers that after they open products, the one-year clock starts,” says Robinson. “After that time, you should toss it.” However, if it’s an item that comes in close contact with the eye area (eye creams, mascaras and concealers), consider tossing it anywhere from 6 months to 1 year. If mold or bacteria gets in the eye, it can lead to a serious infection, says Robinson.
Here’s what else to consider when determining if you should throw a product away:
Unopened skin care products may last longer than opened ones, but they eventually expire even if you don’t use them, says Hu. Expiration dates are there to provide a general timeline for best usage.
If you’ve properly stored an unopened product, you can expect it to work fine up to the expiration date. “I would recommend that you try to stay aware or remember when you first purchased and opened a product to ensure it is safe to use,” she says. If you’re unsure, it’s best to remain cautious and discard any products that may be expired or are nearing their expiration date.
Yes — some ingredients like pure vitamin C (L-Ascrobic Acid) can oxidize and expire quickly, says Robinson. Oxidation is the process when an ingredient loses electrons, which changes its chemical structure as a result of being exposed to air. How quickly a beauty item oxidizes depends on its ingredient makeup because they can all happen at different rates, according to Robinson.
For example, vitamin C is “very unstable and can begin oxidizing very quickly, whereas oils and butters may take a little longer,” says Robinson. “Air-tight packaging may prolong the life of sensitive ingredients, but over time, the ingredients still oxidize. This process renders the product or ingredient ineffective and or changes the color and/or makes the odor go off.”
Here’s a general rule of thumb our experts recommend following:
Products with the highest risk of expiring quickly are water-containing formulas (they require the most preservation given bacteria, mold, and yeast grow in water environments) — this includes creams and lotions, according to Robinson. These water-based products will expire more quickly than oil-based products, according to Hu.
Anhydrous (products that don’t have water) products such as makeup powders are the least likely to be a microbial risk, according to Robinson. Also, products that are in pump bottles tend to last longer since they’re less exposed to bacteria and oxygen.
“It’s important to use your best judgment, and if something looks or smells off, it’s time to throw it out,” says Hu.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m an associate reporter covering new product launches, skin care, hair care and more, including recent stories on the best under-eye patches and the best lip masks. For this story, I interviewed two cosmetic chemists to learn more about beauty expiration dates and how to determine if your favorite products are still safe to use.
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