How Long Does Shaving Cream Last? | Do They Have An Expiry Date?
Have you ever wondered, how long does shaving cream last? Like most self-care products, shaving creams also come with time-bounded peak quality.
Now hear me on this. You woke up late having a meeting in an hour, you rush to get freshen up, and standing in front of your bathroom counter you realize you’ve run out of the last bits of the shaving cream in that black tube. With no other option left and running out of time, you reach for that old tube left at the back of your cupboard.
But should you really go for it?
You don’t know if it’s still fine to use or is expired already, in which case, you will be left with red patches and a facial infection. You can’t go out looking like this, but you don’t have time to get a new one either. You’re practically in a ‘shaving cream mess’ right now!
To save you from such unsettling scenarios, and provide you with a crystal clear idea of the product, we are here with a mini-guide on how long shaving cream lasts. This right here is your one-stop answer to all your shaving cream queries, with no unnecessary blab, for real.
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How Long Does Shaving Cream Last? – A Summary
As per the general rule of thumb, unopened packages can last anywhere from 24 to 36 months. But the ones containing more natural ingredients and fewer chemical preservatives can spoil much faster, lasting around 6 to 12 months from the date of packaging.
Table of Contents
How Long Does Shaving Cream Last?
Which Shaving Product Do You Use?
Okay now to start with, let’s get done with the basics first.
Even though they feel quite similar to one another, like most of the grooming products out there, each type of shaving product has its own unique chemical formulation. You might mistake a shaving gel for shaving cream, that’s natural, but both of them have their own specifics.
From the effectiveness of the product to the suitable skin type, to the respective dates of expiry, they differ from each other more than you can think of.
But to sum up, for you all, there are four major sub-types of shaving products in the market:
- Shaving Gels: Come in plastic bottles and have a creamy, leathery consistency.
- Shaving Foams: Come in cans and have a fluffy texture.
- Latherless Shaving Creams: Come in tubes and have a thick surface.
- Traditional Shaving Creams: Come in both tubes and tubs and have a thick formula.
How to Calculate the Life span of your Shaving Cream?
Well, this one varies significantly according to its composition, so you better check the manufacturing and expiry dates printed on its packaging.
However, unopened packages can last somewhere from 24 to 36 months. But the ones containing more natural ingredients and fewer chemical preservatives can spoil much faster, lasting somewhere around 6 to 12 months.
Now coming down to its quantity, an average pack or tube of 7 or 8 ounces can, with around 3 to 4 grams of shave cream used per lather, will give somewhere around 50 to 67 lathers.
So giving about 25 to 33 shaves per pack, your shaving cream won’t even last for a month.
Here’s a simple way you can calculate just how long a can of shaving cream can last
- Start by measuring how much shaving cream is in the can.
- Now measure how much shaving cream is required for each shave.
- Now calculate the number of shaves you can get from a can of shaving cream by dividing the overall quantity by the individual quantity.
For Example: Overall quantity/Individual quantity = Total number of shaves.
How Do you Know if the Shaving Cream has Expired?
As the product reaches its expiry, the quality of the cream starts declining.
- A change in the odor is the first sign you should look for.
- Another sign includes a change in color and texture. The cream becomes darker in color, or if it’s white it will start turning yellow or light brown.
- The consistency gets dry and gritty, and the product will make little to no lather at all.
How to Get the Most out of Your Shaving Cream?
Here are some actions you can take to make your shaving cream last longer
- Always opt for shaving creams that are in a pump packaging. Such kind of packaging prevents germs from entering the bottle that is resting on your fingers, which eventually prevents the product from getting spoiled early.
- Creams made from all-natural ingredients can get spoiled early too. As there are no preservatives added, there won’t be anything to preserve the freshness of the product. It’s better to go with ones that are a combination of natural and synthetic ingredients.
- Avoid keeping your shaving products in hot and humid atmospheric settings. Humid surroundings give a green signal to the bacteria to cultivate. Try to keep your razors and shaving creams in places that are cool and nicely dry.
- Adding to point one, always use a spatula to take out the product if the packaging is a bottle or a jar. You don’t wanna get your fingers in contact with the cream right.
Choosing the Ideal Shaving Cream
A good shaving cream equals a smooth finish and a good shaving experience. That’s why careful selection of your ideal shaving cream is an absolute necessity. Some factors to keep in mind to assist you in the process include:
Composition
Be extra careful here and opt for brands that are reputable and maintain transparency about the ingredients used in the product.
You don’t wanna go for ones that are cheap and low in quality and can mess up the health of your skin. Also, organic ingredients like coconut oil, like in any other product, will nourish and hydrate your skin inside out. Be on the lookout for such formulations.
Odor
A lot of people are sensitive to fragrances, and should go for options that are fragrance-free. And even if they’re not, and actually like some kind of scent in their shaving cream, it’s good to go with options that have a mild and pleasant smell, rather than the ones with a strong scent.
Customer feedback and brand reviews
There are people who must have used that particular product before you, and have an idea of its pros and cons better than you. That’s where customer reviews come into play.
Never forget to check out the product’s brand review and customer feedback before going ahead with it. Experiences of these people will help you determine if the product is really a value for your money or not.
Pricing
So if you’re going for a quality purchase, which you should if you don’t wanna compromise with the health of your skin in the long run, the product is probably going to be on the pricier side. But when it comes to the long-term well-being of your skin, it’s definitely a worthy investment.
FAQ’s about Shaving Cream
Just like any other cosmetic or grooming product, shaving creams too have a lot of myths and questions around them. Some of the most common ones include:
Do shaving creams expire?
Truth be told, shaving creams can be used post their expiry, but would lose their effect and may cause skin rashes. It’s better to discard a shaving cream once it has crossed its expiry date and purchase a new one.
How long does shaving cream last after opening?
This depends on how much product is used in each application and also on how large the can/tube of shaving cream is. Normally a 3.4oz can/tube will last approx 3 months whereas a 7-12ox can/tube will last up to a year if you shave regularly.
What is a good substitute for shaving cream?
Good and safe-to-use substitutes for shaving cream are Baby Oil, Coconut Oil, Hair Conditioner, Aloe Vera Gel, Olive Oil and Soap.
Can you use expired shaving cream?
You shouldn’t be using shaving creams that are past their expiry date. Using such products can lead to allergies and serious skin infections.
Do shaving creams cause ingrown hair?
Proper cleansing and exfoliation of the skin prior to and aftershave, and use of quality grooming products, prevent any kind of bumps or ingrown hairs from appearing on the skin.
Takeaway
So there you have it! An inside-out guide for you to choose your ideal shaving cream, and have your best shaving experience so far.
Shaving is one of the most essential parts of a man’s grooming routine. It makes him look and feel polished, and ready for the world. So when it comes to choosing the right product for your grooming routine, you should be extra careful and cautious.
Right, organic ingredients, with relatively lesser preservatives are something that you should go for. From tools to techniques, you can’t compromise on anything, especially with your shaving cream, which eventually goes in contact with the skin on your face.
Being extra careful there is more than necessary. Hopefully, this mini-guide will guide you through, and to, one of the best shaving experiences you’ve had so far.
Happy Shaving!
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