This has probably been asked before so apologies for the repeat post. I moved house a few months ago and things are still in boxes including most of my shave kit. So will my creams go off if I don't start using them again soon? TOBs and Trumpers fwiw.
What's the average shelf life of cream?
- Thread starter Angus Young
- Start date
It depends, this should help you
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12M
However, it doesn't mean that the cream will be bad after the indicated time. I have creams marked 12M and they are now at least 24 months since the opening and still good.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12M
However, it doesn't mean that the cream will be bad after the indicated time. I have creams marked 12M and they are now at least 24 months since the opening and still good.
- Thread starter
- #4
I think you'd be amazed at what a microbial analysis would turn up, however. The more contact area a cream has with air, the more susceptible it becomes. Tubes are best for long(er) term storage.
Not too worried about that. If any nasties pop up in my creams then I've got an Alum block waiting to zap them.
This is making me think twice before adding another cream to my bathroom cabinet. It may become useless over time! 
Where are the boxes that the creams are stowed away in? If they are in the house, I agree with the others, they should be okay. If they are in a garage, or an un-airconditioned storage unit, I'd be curious if exposure for long periods to heat could be a problem?
Perhaps creams pushing the due date could be refrigerated or frozen.
I'm enthused about this new hobby and giving myself the latitude to play the field and discover my preferences. If I begin to run out of time, so to speak, that's probably what I'll do.
I don't want to sell a cream to someone on B/S/T that can't be used up by the expiration date.
I'm enthused about this new hobby and giving myself the latitude to play the field and discover my preferences. If I begin to run out of time, so to speak, that's probably what I'll do.
I don't want to sell a cream to someone on B/S/T that can't be used up by the expiration date.
I have the huge tube of Proraso that is over 2 years old. I have some C&E that is over 1.5 years old and still perfectly good. It probably would be a good idea not to store in extreme heat but anything you would be comfortable in would be good.
Richard
Richard
I'd suggest (in my limited experience) do not freeze cream, EVER. it changes the consistency . . . permanently.
Carry on.
A timely question since I am pondering the TESC special deadline! I have quite a bit left in my tub of GFT coconut. If I bought another tub and didn't open it, how long might that last?
So are creams emulsions? That would make sense: freezing generally breaks emulsions.
FWIW:
Just today I shaved with a T&H 1805 cream, that is at least 4, maybe 5 years old. It's gone semi-hard, somewhere between a cream and a soap.
It lathered wonderfully and the shave was smooth as silk. If I don't show up here again, maybe you'll all know why, but for now, no issues.
Just today I shaved with a T&H 1805 cream, that is at least 4, maybe 5 years old. It's gone semi-hard, somewhere between a cream and a soap.
It lathered wonderfully and the shave was smooth as silk. If I don't show up here again, maybe you'll all know why, but for now, no issues.
For long term storage, I am wondering if vacuum sealing the cream would help. Anyone try this ?
Having a variety is part of the fun. Now that I noticed the "use before" thing on my new tube of palmolive I'm beginning to wonder. Most of this stuff seems to last forever, well it seems to sure take a long time to get that last squeeze out of a tube at least. And my soaps just go on and on and on. I'll be darned!
Does anyone know the average shelf life of most shave creams. I ordered some from QCS and Matthew told me you could figure about 2 years shelf life for their products. I was wondering if this is about the normally life of most creams? The reason I ask, I see pictures of some guys shave den's with 42 creams that would take 20+ years to use!!
Thanks
Bob
Thanks
Bob
Creams are supposed to have a shorter shelf life than soaps. For example, Proraso cream tubes say to use within 12 months of opening. Some soaps can last indefinitely i've heard
I think that drives a lot of the PIF activity around here. Some of the shave den photos I've seen there is no way humanly possible they'd use it all. I think they PIF their least favorite scents so they can rationalize getting the next one. 
I have only had one shave cream go bad on me. It was a tub of barely used Body Shop stuff that was at the back of a cupboard. It separated into two distinct layers after about 14 months and would not mix together again. I am pretty sure that it only went bad because I had opened it and exposed it to the air. If they stay sealed I am sure creams can last a few years can't they?
Just another good reason to participate in the shave sabbatical.
I already have too much stuff 2-3 years worth of product. That is only accumulated over the last few months. So I am going to work through it all before I buy anything else.
I already have too much stuff 2-3 years worth of product. That is only accumulated over the last few months. So I am going to work through it all before I buy anything else.
I would think the degradation wouldn't begin until the cream was exposed to air, and most of the decay would be an evaporation of moisture. Any tube Cream I buy and open is promptly transferred to a Plastic Double-Wall Cosmetic Jar and Tub creams remain sealed until I'm ready to use it. I have a Cosmetic Container of O Melhor which has hardened a bit but it still lathers fine and will be finished before opening another cream.
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