One of the nicest things about coming home with a newborn (except coming home with a newborn) is expecting gifts and essentials to be sent to your home.
One of such will be baby powder.
And as you go through each of the bottles, you may notice each has varying ingredients and come with a myriad of expiry dates worse.
Some baby powders may not even come with expiry dates, and you may be tempted to just throw it away.
Or you may be an experienced parent wondering why your baby’s powder is beginning to clump and lose its efficacy…
A Little Bit About Baby Powder Expiration Dates
Baby powders come in numerous brands, shapes, and sizes; however, most modern ones may choose to omit the expiration date completely.
This omission is primarily because of the main ingredients. Still, whether with a missing expiration date or not, baby powders expire.
As a rule of thumb, if you have unopened baby powder, it should be thrown away after three years from the date of purchase.
If you do have an opened powder that has undoubtedly been exposed to air and moisture, then you should replace it after eighteen months from the day of first use.
Why Do Baby Powders Have Varying Expiration Dates
The question as to why baby powder products have varying expiration dates is dependent on the two primary ingredients of talc or corn starch.
They are excellent absorbers of moisture and provide a coated film on surfaces that reduces friction. They also offer a cooling effect because they consume heat along with water.
Talc is a common ingredient in deodorants, cosmetics, and baby powders. It is a non-organic naturally occurring mineral and by itself does not have an expiration date.
However, it occurs in combination with other products when it comes to baby powders, hence why most talc-based products have a three-year limit.
The name cornstarch rings a bell because it is the common ingredient we use to cook and bake.
It is an excellent thickening agent, and that is because it is excellent at absorbing moisture or water. Cornstarch if stored properly, can last for up to two years.
How To Identify Expired Baby Powder If You Don’t Remember The Date Of Purchase
You may notice that with expired baby powder, the once loose and smooth substance becomes clumped; some products even become as hard as a rock.
You may see that the once cooling effect it had on the skin is lost, and the fine film that reduces friction is not formed correctly.
If the baby powder in question were previously scented, it would lose its scent.
In some cases, you may notice that mold has grown on the powder, this is usually seen when the powder loses its color, and you notice the presence of soft multicolored substances.
If you have never used it and notice that the seal on the bottle is broken, there is a large probability that air has found its way into the bottle and should be thrown away. So it’s best not to use it.
You can always ensure your baby powder’s longevity by ensuring the seal is intact, storing it in a dry, cool place.
Avoid bathroom stores because the area’s high moisture content can break the seal and destroy the powder, and finally, by keeping it out of your little one’s reach so that they do not eat or swallow it.
Does Talc Baby Powder Expire?
Yes, talc baby powder does expire. Talc itself does not expire because of the inorganic nature of the compound. It is made up of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen.
However, talc baby powder does not just have the primary ingredient. It has the presence of other components as well, which have a much shorter half-life.
A minor hurdle with talc baby powders arises when some brands do not come with expiry dates. Expiry dates are usually seen on cornstarch-based products because it is an organic compound.
If the baby powder brand contains only talc, it will not expire; however, once other ingredients are present, throw it away under the previously discussed conditions.
Can You Use Expired Baby Powder?
It is not advised to use products that have expired, either organic or inorganic. Baby powder is especially important because it will be used on the skin of young ones that are particularly sensitive.
As mentioned, any baby powder contains components other than talc or cornstarch.
These additional ingredients have a much shorter shelf life and half-life where they will break down into other substances.
The products of this breakdown may be harmful to a young child and cause numerous problems ranging from skin infections such as rashes and candida.
The skin infections also result because instead of the once potent baby powder to absorb and retain moisture, it now becomes a film that supports the growth of bacteria and fungi.
It is also worth noting that baby powder can be inhaled. Then these expired products can find their way into the respiratory tract of your little one, which can lead to respiratory problems.
It is therefore considered much safer for you to discard and not use these products. Baby powder is not expensive and can easily be replaced.
What To Do With Expired Baby Powder
To make sure there is nothing wasted, and if you like hacks, you can do a few things if the baby powder still looks ok but is expired.
It can be used for soaking up grease from clothing – You rub a bit of baby powder on the grease-stained material, and you allow it to soak up the oil. It would begin to form clumps which you can brush off.
You could use it to unstick playing cards if you had a family game night – All you need to do is place the cards in a sealable bag and pour a bit of baby powder into the bag; This would create a fine film on the cards and prevent them from sticking together.
Another hack involves running baby powder in between floorboards that a squeaking – The powder would help you create a fine seal over the minute cracks and allow the boards to glide seamlessly over one another.
Some people find it helpful to spray baby powder on plants or add it to the soil – However, just make sure the ingredients of your specific powder are not harmful to plants.
Conclusion
Baby powder is an essential ingredient when it comes to our little ones. And knowing when your baby is expired is just as essential.
It is necessary to know every detail so that we do not accidentally hurt or allow our babies to consume materials that would be detrimental to their health.