Shampoo is a haircare product that is used in almost every household. But many would not know that all shampoos expire. 

Each shampoo comes with a particular shelf-life, and depending on the brand and product, the expiration date varies. This information can be found on the label of the products. 

Many personal care items like shampoos have a longer shelf-life if they are unopened. However, after the bottle is opened, its expiration date could be anywhere between 6 months to 24 months. 

Read on to find out how you can identify if your shampoo is expired and what to do next. 

Table of Contents:

• How to Know If Your Shampoo Has Expired?
• Check Label
• Bad Smell
• Clumpy Texture & Discoloration 
• Reduced Effectiveness
• Why Should You Never Use Expired Shampoo?
• Superb 100% Vegan Shampoos
• Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
• Activated Charcoal & Keratin Shampoo
• Red Onion Black Seed Oil Shampoo

How to Know If Your Shampoo Has Expired?

Here are some ways in which you can check if your shampoo has expired or not:

• Check Label

Your shampoo should have the PAO or period after opening mentioned on its label. This is the period within which the shampoo is safe to use. 

If you find 6m written in this section, that means your shampoo is safe to be used for six months after it is opened. Similarly, you may find 12m, 18, or 24m written on the label. Many manufacturers put the expiry date directly on the label, depending on the date of manufacture. 

• Bad Smell

If you observe a bad odor coming out of your shampoo, please ditch the bottle immediately. 

The storage conditions and temperature could affect personal care products like shampoos. So, whenever in doubt, it is better to replace the bottle with a fresh piece rather than take the risk of having hair problems. 

• Clumpy Texture & Discoloration 

Usually, the expired shampoo will clump together, forming mounds. A clumpy texture is often a sign of expired shampoo, wherein the oil separates from the formula. 

The heavy liquid will look discolored and settle down at the bottom of the bottle. You will also notice the essential oils, or kinds of butter, used in the shampoo floating at the top. So, if you face difficulty in getting the shampoo out of the bottle and feel the texture is not right, it is best not to use it. 

• Reduced Effectiveness

If you notice no physical signs of expiration in your shampoo, you could use it to wash your hair. But be observant of its functionality. Reduced effectiveness is a sign of expired shampoos. You will find that the shampoo is producing less lather, and its cleaning ability has been reduced. This clearly indicates that you need to replace your shampoo bottle. 

Why Should You Never Use Expired Shampoo?

The expired shampoo is ineffective, and it can cause some serious hair problems. 

When a shampoo has passed its shelf-life, the formula of the product is breaking down, separating the oils from other stabilizing ingredients. 

Using this unstable shampoo could cause scalp irritation, itching, or trigger fungal breakouts. This would further cause increased hair fall, greasy and dull-looking hair, or even baldness. 

Therefore, it is best to be vigilant in checking the validity of personal care products such as shampoos regularly. Replace them with a new bottle as soon as they have reached their expiration date.  

Superb 100% Vegan Shampoos

Here are 3 100% vegan shampoo options that you can choose to replace your expired shampoo!

• Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo

This plant-powered clarifying shampoo from Wow Skin Science is one of the best products you can use for your hair. It is color-safe, revives dull hair, and fights dandruff to give you naturally shiny tresses. 

A 100% vegan formula of the Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo strengthens, smoothens, and soothes hair follicles. The ingredients include Argan Oil, Almond Oil, Nettle Leaf Extract, and Natural Apple Cider Vinegar sourced directly from the Himalayas.

• Activated Charcoal & Keratin Shampoo

The Activated Charcoal and Keratin Shampoo from Wow Skin Science has a detoxifying and deep-cleaning formula that your hair will be grateful for

It is enriched with the goodness of Aloe vera, Argan Oil, Jojoba Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Keratin, and Activated Charcoal Powder. It nourishes every hair follicle to strengthen it from the core to the tip of the hair strand. The natural healing properties of this plant-based, 100% Vegan shampoo replenishes and repairs your hair.  

• Red Onion Black Seed Oil Shampoo

Wow Skin Science’s Red Onion Black Seed Oil Shampoo helps tackle hair fall, flakiness of the scalp, and dullness of hair. It also improves hair growth. 

Made with 100% vegan, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and gluten-free formulas, this shampoo is rich in antioxidants. Containing natural ingredients such as Sweet Almond Oil, Black Seed Oil, and Red Onion Seed Oil, along with Vitamin B5, it helps to protect and repair damaged hair. With regular use of this shampoo, you will find improvements in the strength, texture, and shine of your hair. 

To recap, shampoos expire, and different products come with different shelf lives. 

If you have an unopened bottle of shampoo, it will have a longer shelf life than opened one. You can identify if your shampoo has expired by looking at the label, checking the smell and texture of the shampoo, or observing its effectiveness. Dispose of the bottle immediately if you realize that your shampoo has expired. 

Keep in mind that using expired shampoo could cause serious hair problems. It is great to use 100% natural shampoos. However, these shampoos will have a shorter shelf-life than the ones filled with chemicals. So, be mindful of the expiration date of the products that you use for hair and skin care.