Do face masks expire? How long do face masks last?
It is often believed that a comfortable night of soothing self-care always requires a face mask. Known as a popular step in Korea’s luxurious ten-step skincare routine, face masks have become part of our daily lives, and I bet that as you read this, you are imagining a bathroom drawer full of various face masks to apply.
The question that comes to my mind is: Do face masks expire? How long do face masks last? Let’s get started and learn more.
Do face masks expire if they are not opened?
Yes, face masks expire. They should have an expiration date on their packaging. I say “should” because some brands choose not to do this, but they definitely should.
In fact, the lifespan of an average face mask is quite long, usually between one and three years. So unless it is stored in the back of a cupboard for a long time, it should not be a problem.
How long do Korean face masks last?
The important thing to remember is that many Korean face masks (because most of these products are made and used in Korea) have a production date. This is the date they were made. So don’t panic if you see a date from a long time ago. The first problem you need to solve (if you can’t read Korean) is to understand the difference between the expiration date and the manufacturing date and the “use by” date symbol, because all three can exist.
Why do Korean companies choose the manufacturing date? Well, when they work with brands, they want to show that the product is freshly made. For example, a product may not expire in ten years, but the store or company may think that a 2-year expiration date is not a big problem until they realize that the product has been sitting for 8 years. Therefore, the manufacturing date shows that the product is fresh and brand new, which usually also means that the product and packaging may be less damaged.
Is it safe to use expired masks?
Yes, it is considered safe to use expired masks, but only if you triple check that they will not irritate the skin. You can better assess whether the mask is safe to use by checking whether the mask has a bad smell and whether its consistency looks normal.
Another aspect to consider is that regardless of the expiration date, the product will start to oxidize once it is opened, so the life span is significantly shortened. Masks should be used once. However, if you decide to save some for next use, you should place the excess serum in an airtight container. Airtightness is essential so that oxygen does not get into the mixture. Not only are you exposing yourself to oxygen, but you could also be gathering bacteria, which is the last thing you want to put on your face. So be careful when storing such products that have been opened.
If your mask is about to expire, it’s not a bad thing, it just means it’s time to do a thorough detox and spend some time with a mask on your face. Your skin will be very grateful!
Here you can learn more about face masks. Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of how they work and what to do when they expire. Don’t forget that you can find more skincare tips on our Instagram page. Follow us.
