We've learned that certain beauty products—sunscreen, mascara, and moisturizer—can expire, but does nail polish expire? If it does, is there any real drawback to using that go-to color that's past its prime? We asked experts to weigh in on what happens to nail polish as it lingers on a shelf, signs that it’s time to toss those beloved bottles, and what happens if you ignore those signs and use them anyway.
- Nail expert Tina Wang is the owner of Lunula Salon in Brooklyn, New York.
- Cosmetic formulator Mary Berry is the founder and CEO of Cosmos Labs in Austin, Texas.
So, Does Nail Polish Expire?
In a word, yes. The average bottle has a lifespan of about 2 years, according to nail expert Tina Wang, but that's not a hard-and fast-timetable, She says it's more important to consider how often it was used and how it was stored.
Sun exposure and temperature control are two factors that play a role, she explains. A bottle of polish kept consistently in a cool, dry space—its preferred state—lasts longer than a bottle stored in direct sunlight with a cap that wasn't fully closed, and perhaps lasts even longer than 2 years.
What Happens When Nail Polish Gets Old?
The quality of nail polish degrades over time. “It won’t spread as well, the pigment won’t be as vibrant, and separation will occur,” explains cosmetic formulator Mary Berry. Nail polish contains solvents that eventually evaporate, causing the remaining ingredients to get thick and not spread as easily. The pigments also start to fade, she adds.
How Can You Tell Nail Polish Is Expired?
While many of us use color separation as a standalone indicator that a polish is old, Wang notes that isn’t always the case. “Polish color separation is a natural occurrence that happens because the ingredients in polish are not all the same density,” she says. That's why it’s always good to shake up a bottle before opening it.
While color separation is one sign of age, Wang says it’s important to look for other changes in a nail polish's color and texture. If the hue has changed since you bought it or it looks thick and gloopy, it’s likely past its prime. Another huge red flag is odor, adds Berry. If it smells strange or has a strong odor, it’s time to toss it.
Unlike many skincare products, nail polish doesn’t come with an expiration date on the package. If you want to keep tabs on exactly how long you’ve had a bottle, stick a small label on the bottom or cap and note when you bought it.
What Happens if You Use Expired Nail Polish?
If your nail polish has lost its luster, don’t stress, as it’s not the end of the world. While efficacy and potential bacteria contamination is a real concern with other cosmetics, using old nail polish is likely to simply result in a less-than-stellar mani.
“The main problem with using a polish that’s been open for more than 2 years is that it won’t yield as good of a user experience,” says Berry. "It will probably be thick and hard to put on, and the color might have faded, too.”
“As polish gets old, it loses the ability to support an even, beautiful application,” adds Wang."Fresh polish will apply smoothly and last as long as the manufacturer intended it, whereas old polish may start to peel soon after you apply it." There isn’t a lot of data in terms of the actual physical harm of using expired polish, but it’s never a bad idea to avoid uncertainty and play it safe by simply getting a new bottle, she notes.
