Do Face Masks Expire – When to Keep and When to Throw Away Sheet Mask

If you’re like many skincare junkies we know, you probably love a good sheet mask and may have a few (alright, a few dozen) stashed away for future use. But is this practice safe? And do face masks expire? In this post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of stashing face masks and considerations you’ll need to make before placing an expired sheet mask on your face. So, let’s get into it.

Table of Contents

• Do Face Masks Expire?
  • Do Face Masks Expire If Unopened?
• How Long Are Sheet Masks Good For?
  • How Long Do Face Masks Last Unopened?
• How Do You Know If a Face Mask Is Expired?
• Can I Still Use Expired Face Sheet Mask? Is It OK to Use Expired Sheet Mask?
• Do Face Masks Expire? You Be the Judge
• FAQs

Do Face Masks Expire?

The answer to this question is yes.

Most face masks expire, especially when they are composed of natural ingredients. In fact, face masks infused with good-for-you vitamins like Vitamin C are known to be highly unstable, meaning that you’ll likely see face masks containing these ingredients going south sooner than face masks without these ingredients.

Do Face Masks Expire If Unopened?

So, do unopened face masks expire? To this question, the answer is still yes.

But wait! There’s more.

Unopened face masks don’t harbor the potential for growth of bacteria the way that opened face masks do.

This isn’t to say that they won’t harbor bacteria at all, but rather, that they will be more likely to be able to be used a few months after the expiry date than your opened sheet or other types of facial masks.

Why?

Because as the ingredients that make up face masks are exposed to oxygen and bacteria from the environment, this bacteria grows and multiples with time. Add to that the fact that you are probably storing your face masks in your bathroom, a very warm and humid place, and you’ve got the ideal environment for bacteria to grow.

Because of this we’d recommend using a face mask that is unopened no more than 6-8 months after the expiry date. However, if you notice that the quality of the mask seems to have dwindled or things just don’t look or smell right (more on that later) then we’d recommend you pitch it.

How Long Are Sheet Masks Good For?

Generally speaking, face masks bought from store shelves last about two to three years. But you’ll always want to check, and go by, the expiry date to be sure.

This is especially true if the mask has been opened!

When checking the expiry date, always be certain that the date that you are looking at is the expiration date and not the manufacturing date. There’s a big difference! And if your sheet mask was manufactured in Korea, there is a chance there could be multiple dates on the package. Just be sure you are looking at the right one.

How Long Do Face Masks Last Unopened?

Unopened face masks generally can hang around 6-8 months after the expiration date. Be aware, though, that not all masks may perform the same way that they would prior to expiration, and in some cases, skin irritation may occur.

Always stop using any skincare product that causes rash, redness or irritation to your skin.

How Do You Know If a Face Mask Is Expired?

How do you know if your sheet mask is expired?

There are many ways to determine if your face or sheet mask has expired.

First and foremost, do your best to follow the expiration date. As mentioned, these dates are in place for a reason. Your sheet mask may not work as well as it would before the printed expiry date.

If you still want to use your face mask past the expiry date, or if your face mask does not have an expiry date, there are ways you can still test for the integrity of the facial mask before throwing it out.

Does it smell off? Has the color changed? Is the consistency different? Has it dried out? All of these clues can signal that your sheet mask, or any mask for that matter, is no longer fresh. This means that you should opt for a new one.

Can I Still Use Expired Face Sheet Mask? Is It OK to Use Expired Sheet Mask?

What happens if you use expired face mask?

Using an expired face mask can have a variety of outcomes, so let’s get the worst case scenario out of the way first.

Because expiry dates affixed to facial masks ensure the quality and integrity of the skincare product you are using, you really are running a risk when you use a skincare product past the date printed on the label.

So, what’s the worst that could happen?

Well, your skin could burn, sting, become inflamed, riddled with a rash or with acne… just to name a few.

If, however, your skincare product, such as a mask, contains healthy and wholesome ingredients, you may not experience as severe of a reaction. But you also may not be satisfied with the results, either.

Indeed, using a facial mask that has expired, even if it is technically “safe”, might not yield the same results that you are used to. As such, may not even be worth the time and effort.

As a side note, if you are interested in extending the life of your sheet mask, try popping the mask in the fridge, unopened. Similar to food, sheet masks will keep better in cooler temps than in warmer ones. So, if you plan to use a sheet mask past its expiry date, this is likely the best way to go.

Do Face Masks Expire? You Be the Judge

To close, while many face masks do expire, it is important to pay close attention to the ingredients, consistency, smell and performance of your mask to determine if it is still up for keeps.

Remember, all makeup has the propensity to expire, but that isn’t to say all of the outcomes will be bad. There are, however, instances when using expired makeup could have the potential to ruin your skin.

So use caution, act wisely. Do your best to use any skincare products before their expiration dates to avoid risks of irritation.

Here are more posts on our blog for you to check out:

• Best Enzyme Mask for Acne
• How To Use The Nexcare Acne Patch
• Tea Tree Oil for Dark Spots on Face
• Best Tea Tree Oil Brands for Acne
• Non Toxic Drugstore Foundation 
• Is It Safe to Put Aquaphor on Your Lips
• What Is Lipstick Made Of
• Lipstick Ingredients to Avoid
• Best Lip Moisturizers
• Does Lotion Expire

FAQs