Deodorants are directly applied to the skin, so it is important to know whether it has any repercussions or not. A major concern is deodorant expiry, and proper disposal also needs to be known.
Deodorants, like most cosmetic products, do have an expiry date, about 1 to 3 years from manufacturing. This expiry date is written on the product and something you should be aware of. After this, their fragrance fades away although they still work just fine.
Using an antiperspirant after its expiration date likely won’t harm your health or skin. It is still recommended to keep an eye on its expiry date due to the rare but real risk of allergies, irritation, or other skin-related issues.
So in short, yes deodorant does expire. If its a deodorant you use everyday, it will be used up well before its expiry date.
Yes it does expire
What does the deodorant expiry date look like on the product. Depending on what sort of deodorant you are using, the expiry date is often on the bottom of the can as seen in the image above. It can also be on the label.
What to Do If Your Deodorant Has Expired
Deodorants fall under the health and beauty category, and just like any other cosmetic and hygiene product, they expire as well.
Here are some indicators of deodorant expiry if no date is provided:
- Change in color
- Change in smell
- Drying up of the deodorant
- Change in texture
It is recommended to replace your deodorant every six to twelve months if it shows any of the above signs.
Unopened deodorants can, however, last more than a year. In case there’s no expiry date mentioned on a deodorant that’s over a year old, the best thing to do is toss it out and go get a new one.
Still, the safest way to go about it is to replace your deodorant every six months to avoid any types of skin-related complications.
Can Deodorant Be Recycled?
While your plastic deodorant sticks may not be suited to the recycling bin, you can always make some DIY deodorant at home to recycle the container yourself. As for aerosols, they are accepted as a recyclable product in some regions and can be disposed of in the recycling bin.
Considering the fact that plastic deodorant containers are typically made of polyethylene and polypropylene, deodorant containers, if not recycled, can cause a drastic addition to the plastic wastage in the world.
Deodorants also exist in the form of aerosol sprays, and that, on its own, adds to the increased number of CFCs in the air.
Since deodorant containers are usually made up of plastic, they should be repurposed after use. This, however, is a complicated process. Take into note that many deodorant containers are often composed of more than one type of plastic.
For instance, the cap and the tube may be composed of different types of plastics. This indicates that all the pieces cannot be retrieved in one go.
Furthermore, it is not easy for users to determine which plastics the containers are comprised of, making it difficult to know whether their local recycler accepts the material.
This is why most recyclers classify plastic deodorant sticks as a non-recyclable item. This is indeed a worrying factor because of the negative impact on the environment due to mass plastic disposal. You can repurpose the containers yourself through DIY upcycling tricks at home.
Can You Recycle Deodorant Cans, and How to Dispose of Them?
Deodorants are confusing items when it comes to recycling them since they are made of a combination of different plastics because of which they carry a high risk of recycling contamination.
Deodorant cans are typically made of plastics such as polyethylene or polypropylene which are recyclable in many areas. However, there should be no product residue left.
Remnants of the product can also be problematic for recyclers since they undermine the value of material for recycling and affect the quality of the product.
Contamination can ruin an entire load of recycling which might end up costing shed loads for cities. To avoid this problem, remove parts of your container that are not associated with a recycling code.
To get rid of any residual product, rinse out your tubes/cans with warm water and soap before you drop them off for recycling.
Another thing to keep in mind is the correct disposal of deodorants and more specifically aerosol deodorants. It is advised not to dispose of aerosol deodorants in the garbage, considering the fact that it can explode while getting crushed at the landfill, causing a ruckus.
An aerosol deodorant can be correctly disposed of by ensuring it is completely empty before throwing it out. If your container is partly or completely full, separate them from general waste and recycles as they are regarded as hazardous waste.
You also want to remove any dissociable parts such as the cap and dispose of them separately within the respective recycling.
Can You Recycle Plastic Deodorant Sticks?
Plastic deodorant sticks are mixed-material items since they are made from various plastic types. This makes the recycling process complicated.
There will be no correct plastic group into which these can be classified as they are made of a combination of different plastics that affect their recycling capacity. This is why many recyclers do not accept plastic deodorant packaging.
Moreover, the product remnant also affects its recycling potential by diminishing the value of the products produced by the processor. Although plastic deodorant sticks may seem recyclable, there is a soaring risk of recycling contamination.
How to Make DIY Natural Deodorant
Deodorants may be harmful to the environment and are difficult to salvage which is why you might want to swap yours for a DIY one with natural ingredients. Here’s how you can create yours using only 3 ingredients that you probably have at home!
You will need:
- A small jar or container
- A spoon or a small wooden stick to stir
- 1 tbsp coconut oil (preferably melted)
- 1-2 tsp baking soda (adjust based on the sensitivity of your skin)
- 1 tbsp arrowroot powder
- A few drops (2-4) of your favorite essential oils (optional)
Add all your ingredients in the container and give them a good stir. You can then pour this into an empty deodorant container and apply it on your skin with your hands or a cotton ball. This mixture will last for about a month and works fine for both men and women.
If you live in a hot place, then you might want to give your deodorant a good stir before every use or keep it in the freezer. However, if you live in a cold place you need not do this as your deodorant will become solid.
If you do not want to use baking soda in your recipe, below is another one to make your own deodorant.
You will need:
- A small jar or container
- 5 tbsp of beeswax pellets
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tbsp shea butter
- 5 drops of lavender oil
- 4 drops of lemongrass oil
- 4 drops of sandalwood oil
This recipe uses the double boiler method. Start by pouring some water in a pot or a pan and placing a large bowl over it. Lower the heat and add the beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter.
Once all the main ingredients are added, leave it on a medium to low heat and stir it ever so often until all the ingredients have melted together. It may start setting down very quickly due to the beeswax but that is totally normal. Lastly, add you’re essential oils for some fragrance.
Then, transfer the mixture from the bowl to a small jar or even your old deodorant container. This way you can reuse the container saving plastic and a penny while doing your part in making sustainable choices.
Freeze the mixture overnight and there you have it! The natural deodorant that will leave you smelling off like roses.
