What Does Lotion Have To Do With You?
Lotion is used to keep your skin healthy and supple. It helps prevent wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, and other skin problems. But it’s not just for your face! Your hands are covered in lotions too!
So why don’t you take advantage of all these products? Why not try out some new ones?
Here are some reasons:
You have a sensitive or dry skin type.
Your skin doesn’t like certain ingredients.
You want to avoid harsh chemicals and fragrances.
You’re worried about the safety of the product.
If you’ve ever tried out any of those lotions, you’ll know they aren’t really good for your skin! They may even make your pores worse! If you’re looking for something better, then here are some tips to help you decide which lotion will work best for your skin:
How Long Does Lotion Last?
The shelf life of lotion varies from brand to brand. Some brands may last up to 2 years before needing replacing. However, some may only last 1 year or less! So always check the expiration date on the bottle first.
If you’re using a thicker or oil-based lotion, then you may not be able to use it all before it expires. This is because oil-based products easily turn rancid and can go bad within a year.
If you buy a thick or paste-like product, make sure to only use small amounts and not to let it sit too long after opening.
Most lotions will start to thicken as they get older. This happens naturally and doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad. If the lotion is still fluid despite the thickening, then it should be safe to use.
Does Lotion Go Bad?
A lot of people seem to think that if there is some sort of separation between the oils and liquids, then it has gone bad. This isn’t true. As long as the product doesn’t contain any mold or rancid odors, then it should be fine to use. If you are unsure, then throw it out just to be on the safe side.
What Should You Do With Bad Lotion?
If your lotion has mold or an off smell, then you should definitely throw it away. You should also throw it out if it contains anything other than oils, water, and emulsifiers.
If you’re not sure about a product, that’s fine too. You can always do a quick internet search to see what users are saying. If you’re still not sure, then discard the product and buy a new one.
You should also make sure to keep your products away from sunlight and in a cool place.
If your skin feels irritated after using a product, then stop using it. Irritated skin may be an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients. Sometimes the product just doesn’t work with your skin type.
Every body is different, so what works for one person may not work for another.
Does Oil Go Bad?
This is a common question. While it isn’t as bad as people think, it can still go bad and become rancid over time. It may also give your skin an oily feeling instead of a moisturized one.
If you store your oils in a cool, dark place, then they may last you 2 or 3 years. However, oils do have a shelf life and you shouldn’t use them if they contain mold or an off smell.
Emulsifiers: What Are They And Do We Need Them?
Many people think that lotions are mainly water and oil with some additives. While this is true, there is also an ingredient known as an emulsifier that helps blend the two together. Without emulsifiers, the lotion would either be oily or watery instead of having a creamy texture.
Nowadays, most emulsifiers are petroleum-based. There are some companies that make lotions without these petroleum-based emulsifiers, but they can be harder to find.
Is Petroleum Used In Lotions?
Yes, it is. The oils and water don’t naturally blend together so an emulsifier is used to make them do so. In most cases, this emulsifier is petroleum-based.
Do We Need Emulsifiers?
This is up for debate. Some people will tell you that we need emulsifiers in our lotions because they help our skin better absorb the oils. While this may be true to a certain extent, there are other options besides petroleum-based emulsifiers such as vegetable or nut oils.
There are even some lotions that don’t have any emulsifier at all. These are usually thicker and might not feel as smooth as normal lotion, but they also don’t contain anything potentially harmful.
These lotions can be a little harder to find, but many popular brands are starting to make them due to demand.
Is Paraben Harmful?
Parabens are chemicals that are added to lotions and other personal care items as a preservative. They have been linked to certain types of cancer and aren’t found in all products. If you read the fine print on your labels, you should see it listed somewhere.
If you can’t find it on the label or if you’re still concerned, you should do a quick internet search to see what other users are saying. While we all want to trust the companies that make these products, there is no real regulation when it comes to certain chemicals.
Does Coconut Oil Go Bad?
Coconut oil can go bad if not stored properly. If it has a rancid smell when you first open it, then throw it away and don’t use it.
If it smells fine, then you should be safe as long as you keep it stored in a cool, dark location. It can also help to refrigerate the oil to prolong its shelf life.
The shelf life of coconut oil is unknown, so it probably isn’t worth the risk of eating rancid oil.
How Does Cocoa Butter Go Bad?
If you’re using pure cocoa butter, it should last for at least a year if not longer. However, most companies that sell cocoa butter use a blend of several oils.
The shelf life for these is unknown, so you should always try to buy from a reputable company. If you’re concerned about the expiration date, then buy a small bag and test it to make sure that it hasn’t gone bad.
Should You Use Discolored Body Lotion?
The short answer is maybe. It really depends on several factors. If you’re traveling and forgot your lotion, for example, then using something that has gone bad might be better than using nothing at all.
If you have a cut or other open wound, then using lotion that has gone bad could cause an infection.
Sources & references used in this article:
Lotion applicator by ED Clarkson, JE Morgan, P Chen… – The FASEB …, 2018 – The Federation of American …
The Pervasive Fridge. A smart computer system against uneaten food loss by MM Louise – US Patent 3,103,682, 1963 – Google Patents
Efficacy and disposal of drugs after the expiry date by J Rouillard – 2012 – hal.archives-ouvertes.fr
Hand held lotion applicator by GS Sarla – The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine, 2019 – esim.eg.net
Stability profiles of drug products extended beyond labeled expiration dates by MG Lops – US Patent 5,692,261, 1997 – Google Patents
spoilage bacteria associated with selected body lotions commonly used amongst students of the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria by RC Lyon, JS Taylor, DA Porter… – Journal of …, 2006 – Wiley Online Library
An analysis of unused and expired medications in Mexican households by E Ezenna, HO Stanley, CN Stanley – Journal of Pharmaceutical …, 2017 – journaljpri.com
Folding lotion applicator by SL Gracia-Vásquez, E Ramírez-Lara… – International journal of …, 2015 – Springer
