With over a year under my belt of working from home, it's time for me to come clean about something. I have spent more days in the last year without wearing deodorant than I’m proud of. That being said, I have taken longer to go through my deodorant than I used to and sometimes wonder if it will expire before I finish the bottle. I’ve found out that the short answer is no, it doesn’t expire, but there’s more to it than just that.
The aluminum-free deodorant that I use, type:A, is designed to be long lasting, in wear and in your cabinet. Natural deodorant can usually last for anywhere from one to three years. Using expired deodorant or antiperspirants won’t likely harm your health. However, the formula or fragrance of the product may deteriorate so, if you've opened or used your deo, you should replace it every six to 12 months for best results (closed deodorants can last for more than a year).
But, how do you know if your deodorant is expired? Although expired deodorant won’t likely harm your health, there are a few ways to tell if it may be time to retire your deo.
- If it is a solid deodorant, is it starting to crumble?
- Has the color changed?
- If it’s a gel, is it starting to dry up?
- If it has a smell, does it smell as advertised, or has the scent changed, perhaps for the worse?
If the answer to any of the above questions is yes, best to toss it. If you’ve experienced skin irritation or an infection recently, you’ll also want to replace your deodorant and talk to your doctor or dermatologist about a non-irritating natural deodorant and skin-care regime ideal for your skin.
If you’re trying to make the switch to clean beauty and want to make sure that you’re putting the freshest products on your skin, it may be time to consider getting deodorant on a subscription service. type:A offers several different timing options so you can get the timing that you’re comfortable with depending on how much deodorant you use. I used to get it every 2 months, but have started getting it every 4 months because that’s what fits best in my schedule these days. I’ve loved being on the subscription and never having to question whether or not my products are at their peak performance.