Expired Cosmetics: What Happens If You Use Them Carelessly?

Inflammation May Spread Due to Bacterial Infection
"Always Check the Expiration Date of Cosmetics"

What happens if you apply cosmetics that are more than a year past their expiration date to your face? A warning has been issued that it could potentially lead to severe inflammation due to bacterial infection.

On the 4th (local time), the US media outlet 'New York Post' cited Dr. Anthony Yoon, a US plastic surgeon with over 8 million followers on the short-form streaming platform TikTok, emphasizing, "You should always check the expiration date of cosmetics."

Dr. Yoon recently shared a video on TikTok of a woman who suffered severe inflammation after applying skincare products that expired in March to her face. The influencer publicly revealed her facial condition at the time, garnering over 30 million views.

A woman who developed skin inflammation after using expired cosmetics last March.
[Image source=TikTok]

The woman explained, "After applying the product, my skin started to sting, so I washed it off and applied compresses to my face, which resulted in this condition."

Dr. Yoon diagnosed, "As you can see, this woman has burns covering almost her entire face," adding, "She was infected with bacteria." Fortunately, the inflammation subsided over time. However, Dr. Yoon urged, "Never apply products past their expiration date to your face."

So why are expired cosmetics dangerous? Dr. Yoon explained, "Once the expiration date passes, the chemical composition inside the cosmetics can change, or bacteria can grow," adding, "Both can react adversely with the skin."

According to the New York Post, Dr. Yoon is not the only expert warning against using old cosmetics. Dr. Ivy Lee, a US dermatologist, also cautioned, "The biggest risks of expired skincare products are loss of efficacy and skin irritation due to ingredient degradation."

The Mayo Clinic, a US nonprofit academic medical center and general hospital, also emphasized, "Expired cosmetics can clog pores or lead to bacterial infections," adding, "You should keep in mind how long you have stored your cosmetics to avoid these potential risks."