It’s always hard to part from a beloved hair product, especially ones that have been with you from the very start of your natural hair journey. As with most love stories, particularly the ones that stunt your (hair) growth, things stop working out and eventually have to come to an end. However, this ending doesn’t have to be a tragic one.
Tossing out old hair products can benefit you and your curls in the long run. Most expired hair products can become less effective and sometimes even contaminated. On the bright side, there’s a list of high-quality products on the market that work twice as good as your old favorite and can even help spruce up your hair routine.
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With that being said, here’s everything you need to know about the essential products that may or may not be affecting the health and integrity of your waves, kinks, and coils.
Shampoo & Conditioner
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A good clarifying shampoo and a nourishing conditioner are crucial for healthy curls and an even healthier scalp. Like most personal care products, shampoo and conditioner have a period after opening (PAO) symbol that tells you how long your product is good for once opened. This number can range anywhere from six to 24 months.
However, if you start noticing a weird smell and an odd texture, it’s most likely time to replace your products with something new. If you have goals of maintaining healthy natural hair, perhaps implementing a fresh set of products into your regime this new year can help you hit them.
Our Recommendations to Replace Your Expired Products:
Curls
Rizos Curls Hydrating Shampoo
Rizos Curls Deep Conditioner
Coils
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Conditioner
Waves
Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Defrizzing Shampoo
Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Defrizzing Conditioner
Curl Cream/Butters/Custards
No routine is complete without a creamy curl cream, butter and/or custard. This is why it’s a must for your curl-defining product to still be in good use. Can you imagine spending the whole day doing the perfect two-strand twist or braid out, only for the final product to come out looking dry and flaky? Talk about a nightmare.
Our Recommendations to Replace Your Expired Products:
Curls
Taliah Waajid Green Apple & Aloe Nutrition Curl Definer
Coils
Camille Rose Naturals Curlaide Moisture Butter
Waves
Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls
Gel
This product cannot slick its way out of expiring, no matter how much we love it. Unopened hair gel can last up to three years, but expiration dates vary depending on when it has been opened. Weird smell, color change, and product effectiveness are all key factors that your hair gel needs to be tossed. It can be difficult keeping up with the expiration date especially if you’re using a homemade gel, so always create small batches and get rid of it after a week.
Our Recommendations to Replace Your Expired Products:
Curls
Ampro Pro Styl Olive Oil Styling Gel
Coils
Gummy Professional Hair Gel Plus
Waves
Ecoco Eco Styler Curl & Wave Styling Gel
Mousse
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According to L’Oréal Paris, products with alcohol, like mousse tend to have a longer shelf life in comparison to creams. However, it’s important to always refer back to the PAO symbol to determine the exact length you should be using your product.
Our Recommendations to Replace Your Expired Products:
Curls
Dippity-Do Girls with Curls Curl Boosting Mousse
Coils
Creme of Nature Argan Oil Style & Shine Foaming Mousse
Waves
UNITE ELEVATE Mousse
Edge Control
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Did you really think your edge control was safe from expiring? Think again! Hair pomades like Edge Control are made from petroleum jelly, mineral oil, and paraffin wax. They will begin to lose their hold and effectiveness over time unless you opt for an edge control that is water or oil-based, alcohol-free, or made using beeswax. Nonetheless, most pomades can last for more than a year if stored in a cool and dry area. Protect your edges and swap out your old faithful for something new. You were starting to hit pan on your old edge control container anyway!
Our Recommendations to Replace Your Expired Products:
Curls
tgin Smooth & Hold Edge Control
Coils
Kaniz Wonderedge
Waves
Carols Daughter Black Vanilla Edge Control Smoother
Hair Oil/ Serums
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To retrieve all the amazing benefits your hair serum and oil has to offer make sure to keep an eye on the POA label. Hair serums can last up to three years if unopened. However, once it’s been used you have up to a year before you start losing out on the health and styling properties of the product. It’s also a major red flag if the consistency, color, and odor of your hair oil starts to change. In search of a much-needed replacement? Shower your scalp and strands with some TLC.
Curls
SheaMoisture Purple Rice Water Strength + Color Care Oil Serum
Coils
Moisture Love Seal with a Kiss Finishing Oil
Waves
Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
Consider this a rule of thumb: if you wouldn’t fill your body with expired food, why would you fill your hair with expired products? Start your year off on a clean slate and sift through all your hair products that’s got to go. Your hair will thank you in more ways than one!
