Saudi Arabia: Major Riyadh Store booked for tampering with shelf life of cosmetics

The store was also found to have broken regulations for storing unspecified quantities of expired chocolate in its warehouse; their validity dates are forged, the ministry added.

Cosmetics and chocolates with expired shelf lives were confiscated and the store officials were summoned to complete the legal procedures against them, according to the ministry’s post on Twitter.

What is a cosmetic product’s shelf life?

According to US FDA, a product’s “shelf life” generally means the length of time you can expect a product to look and act as expected and to stay safe for use. This length of time varies, depending on the type of product, how it is used, and how it is stored.

What factors affect shelf life, and how?

Over time, cosmetics start to degrade or break down for a number of reasons. Here are some common ones:

Dipping fingers into a product adds microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi (mold and yeast), which need to be controlled, for example, by preservatives.

Over time, however, preservatives can break down, allowing bacteria and fungi to grow.

Applicators, especially mascara wands, are exposed to bacteria and fungi each time you use them.

Emulsions, which are mixtures of water and oil, can separate.

Exposure to moisture, such as in a bathroom, may make it easier for bacteria and fungi to grow.

Products can dry out, causing them to harden and crack.

Temperature changes and exposure to sunlight and air can cause changes in color and texture and may cause the products to smell.

Do some cosmetics have shorter shelf lives than others?

Eye-area cosmetics tend to have shorter shelf lives than other products, which may cause eye infections that can be serious. Manufacturers usually recommend discarding mascara two to four months after purchase. That’s because each time a person uses mascara, it’s exposed to bacteria and fungi.