Does Baby Oil Expire? – This Is The Quickest Way To Check It

This article is not a substitute for medical advice.

As a parent, you want to make sure your little one is using only the safest and best products. That includes skin care products like baby oil, especially if your baby has delicate skin.

Did you ever wonder if baby oil has an expiration date or can really go bad? If so, how can you tell if your baby oil has gone bad? And is it safe to use expired baby oil?

In this article, I’m gonna take a look at these and many more questions and share my best tips on how to quickly check whether your baby oil has expired.

Does Baby Oil Have An Expiration Date?

Yes, baby oil does have an expiration date. You can find it on the label of the bottle. It’s important to make sure you check that date before using it, as expired baby oil may not be as effective, and cause irritation to baby’s delicate skin. Look out for dates labeled as “best before” or “use by”.

Depending on the manufacturer, the expiration date may be somewhere between 1-3 years from the manufacture date.

Does Baby Oil Expire?

Yes, baby oil does expire.

Usually baby oil expires within 1-3 years from the date of manufacture (check your bottle, because it varies from brand to brand).

What’s noteworthy, there are two types of baby oil: baby oils that mainly consist of mineral oil, some chemical additives and fragrances; as well as baby oils that contain natural oils and their formula is free from mineral oil.

Mineral oil itself doesn’t expire, however, the additives (which give the baby oil nice light texture and scent) do expire. That’s why over time the quality and effectiveness of baby oil decreases.

Natural baby oils can also expire once open, because they are free from synthetic preservatives that would keep them fresh for years!

There are also a few external factors that can make the baby oil expire:

• Exposure to sun and heat

It can make the quality of baby oil diminish because UV rays and high temperature breaks down the stabilizers that are inside baby oil.

• Exposure to water and humidity

Your baby oil can go bad if you store it in a humid place like bathroom, if you simply leave the bottle open, or if some water got inside the packaging. In that case some bacteria may start to develop in it – if you use it one your baby’s skin (or yours) it can cause rash, irritation or even lead to infection!

Can Baby Oil Really Go Bad?

Generally speaking baby oils are long-lasting and do not spoil, but expired baby oil is unsafe to use because it may irritate skin (especially baby’s sensitive skin). But it doesn’t really go bad to the point it’s spoiled.

How Do You Know Baby Oil Has Expired? – Things To Check

First thing you should do to check if baby oil has expired is to look out for expiration date.

However, if you cannot find it, or if your baby oil seems odd to you, even though it hasn’t passed the expiration date yet, there are a few things you should check to make sure it’s still safe to use it.

How to tell if baby oil has expired?

Smell

If the baby oil has an unpleasant or strong scent, it could be a sign that it has expired. It should generally smell faintly of its original scent, not something strange or pungent. It’s important to be aware of any changes in scent, as it could mean that it’s no longer suitable for use.

Color

When the baby oil ages, the colorants and stabilizers start to break down, leading to change in color. This is a fair sign that baby oil has expired. It should be a consistent color, not darker or lighter than normal. If you decide to use it anyway, you may be risking giving your baby rashes and skin irritation.

Texture & Consistency

If the texture or consistency of the baby oil has changed, it could be a sign that it has expired. It should have a smooth, silky texture that does not feel sticky or thick. It should be a thin, consistent liquid, not clumpy or gelled (which is unpleasant to touch).

Another sign the baby oil has expired is when it becomes runny or watery in texture. If the consistency has changed, it could mean that it’s not safe for use and should be thrown away.

Clarity

The liquid should be translucent and clear, but once the baby oil ages it may become cloudy. This is a sign its quality has really diminished and the baby oil has expired.

Baby oil can also turn cloudy if water gets into the bottle which creates perfect environment for bacteria to grow in it. It basically gets contaminated. Cloudy expired oil can be harmful for your baby and even lead to infections.

Green table: My best advice? Before you use the baby oil, do a test patch on the inside of your elbow. And if you’re unsure how old your baby oil is or you feel like it’s consistency, scent or color is odd, just throw it away and don’t risk getting irritation!

What Happens If Oil Baby Expires?

Although baby oil will not go rancid, the chemical additives or fragrances in it may break down. If you use expired oil it may cause skin irritation or rashes. It will also smell unpleasant.

You should never use expired baby oil on your child. It’s not safe to put expired baby oil on your baby’s skin (or yours for that matter!).

But there are a few creative ways to use baby oil that has gone bad around your house! More on that later.

How Long Does Mineral Oil Last?

Mineral oil usually lasts for 1-3 years. What’s noteworthy, it really matter how you STORE the oil, because the temperature and humidity level can affect the oil and its usability.

Mineral oils do not go rancid, but when they oxidize they loose their effectiveness.

How Long Does Natural Baby Oil Last?

It differs for each brand, but usually natural baby oils have +/- 2 years long expiration date. Once natural baby oil is open it should be used within 3 months¹ (check on the bottle for specific recommendation for the product you’re using!).

How Should I Store Baby Oil To Make It Last Longer?

Shelf life of baby products, including baby oil, depends on its specific ingredients. But in general, storing the baby oil in the proper place is the best solution to keep its quality and effectiveness from diminishing.

Here are the general rules for storing baby oil to make it last longer:

• Keep the baby oil in a cool, dark and dry place

I recommend storing the baby oil in a cool, dark place such as a closet or cupboard. It’s best if you store it in nursery instead of bathroom, because it’s a more dry place.

This will help the baby oil last longer and keep its quality. Make sure the area you choose isn’t too hot or exposed to direct sunlight.

• Make sure the bottle is tightly sealed

It’s important to make sure the bottle is tightly sealed after each use. This will prevent air or drops of water from getting in. It will help extend the shelf life of the baby oil. Additionally, make sure the lid is always completely closed.

• Don’t store the baby oil near heat sources

I suggest to avoid storing the baby oil near sources of heat, such as a radiator, oven, or heater. Heat can cause the baby oil to degrade much faster and reduce its shelf life.

• Don’t mix it with other products

To get the most out of your baby oil and make it last longer, do not to mix it with other products. Doing so can alter the quality of the oil, making it less effective (and prone to causing skin irritation).

• Don’t use if bottle is damaged

If the bottle is damaged or cracked, I advise against using it. A damaged bottle can cause the air or water to get into baby oil, making it a perfect environment for bacteria to grow inside it.

Can I Use Expired Baby Oil?

You should never use expired baby oil on your baby’s skin. However, there are a few creative ways to use baby oil that has passed its expiration date – check my tips below!

Is Expired Baby Oil Safe?

Expired baby oil is not safe to use on your baby’s skin (or yours). It can cause irritation, rashes, allergic reactions or even infections if some bacteria have started to develop in it.

What To Do With Expired Baby Oil?

The fact that your baby oil has expired or gone bad doesn’t mean that you have to throw it away – you can use it in a creative way to fix some things around the house.

Household Lubricant

Expired baby oil can be used as lubricant around the house to help loosen stuck bolts, screws, zippers and other items that may have become stuck due to rust or corrosion. It also helps prevent future corrosion and rusting of metal items. It can a great alternative to WD40 for all things that squeak or creak.

Removing Old Stickers

Use old baby oil for cleaning old stickers off furniture. It will help to break down the adhesive on the stickers, making it easier to remove them. It also helps to remove any residue from the furniture.

Polishing Wood

Expired baby oil can be used for polishing wood floors or furniture. It can bring out the natural shine of the wood and help protect it from scratches, dents, and other damage.

Polishing Stainless Steel

You can also use the expired baby oil to bring out a nice shine and keep the steel looking clean and new. It also helps to prevent fingerprints and smudges, keeping the stainless steel looking nice and shiny.

Why Do I Need Baby Oil?

Baby oil is a must-have for newborns and infants. It has tons of benefits for child’s delicate skin.

Here are the main reasons why you need a baby oil:

• It’s an excellent moisturizer

Baby oil is an effective moisturizer and can be used as a daily body lotion. It helps to keep baby’s skin soft and smooth. Baby oil moisturized baby’s skin, reduces dryness and irritation.

• It prevents rash

Applying a thin layer of baby oil on baby’s skin helps seal in moisture and prevents the formation of diaper rashes.

• It soothe cradle cap

Rubbing a few drops of baby oil on the scalp can help loosen and remove cradle cap².

• It makes bath time easier

Adding a few drops of baby oil to bath water helps reduce friction and makes it easier to wash baby’s skin.

• You can use it for massage

Baby oil is light and non-greasy, making it perfect for massaging baby’s skin. This way you can help your little one to relax and calm down before bed time.

• Mama can use it too!

By the way, new mama can also benefit from using baby oil! Did you know you can use it to nourish your hair? It’s also a perfect moisturizer so it can help to hydrate and smooth out your dry and stretched skin after pregnancy. And when the skin is moisturized – it’s also more elastic and the stretch marks are less visible! Of course it’s best to invest in a good belly oil to prevent pregnancy stretch marks, but baby oil will come in handy too!

The purpose of this article is informative. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice or medical care. Remember: safety first! Consult your doctor/pediatrician in case of any doubts. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here.

References:

https://www.jaad.org/

johnsonsbaby.com/faq

https://littletigerbaby.com/pages/faq

Hello Moms! I am Zooey. I am a wife and a mother of three amazing kids: almost 5-year-old Haley and 2-year-old twins Jesse and Matthew. I am a jogger, cooker and blogger.

If you have a question or a comment, do not hesitate to write to me! 🙂