Is this a bad idea?

[CrownCola]

So, I recently stumbled upon this old bottle of Herbal Essences leave-in, and it actually made detangling after my monthly twist takedown fun & fast. (Which is unheard of for me)... but I digress...
Its clearly VERY old, seeing as how the packaging hasn't looked like this since well... I've never seen it look like this.
I saw parabens and told myself, "It's cool."
But it just concerns me to be using something so old without clear understanding of all the risks involved.
So... is this safe?
What's the worst that could happen?

 

[melissa-bee]

I would throw it out. Products like that normally have a shelf life of 12 months.

 

[Natural Glow]

Hmm...is it all separated? Is anything growing in it? I'd probably pour some out in my hand and see what it looks like. I don't think anything will happen if you use it.

 

[CrownCola]

Hmm...is it all separated? Is anything growing in it? I'd probably pour some out in my hand and see what it looks like. I don't think anything will happen if you use it.

I examined it, smelled it, and did the finger test (check for stickiness and feel) about 10X before using it and it seemed fine. That + the preservatives + my wishful thinking made it seem ok. Well until I realized that I'm not sure how long the preservatives last or the science of how they work.

I'm trying to upload pics, but this app keeps force closing.

Sent from my T-Mobile G2

 

[mzteaze]

I examined it, smelled it, and did the finger test (check for stickiness and feel) about 10X before using it and it seemed fine. That + the preservatives + my wishful thinking made it seem ok. Well until I realized that I'm not sure how long the preservatives last or the science of how they work.

I'm trying to upload pics, but this app keeps force closing.

Sent from my T-Mobile G2

It should be ok. My company used to package then store products to be shipped as needed by the company. Many products were perfectly fine for use three to five years down the line. Most products are stability tested for years afterwards with few problems.

About the packaging then shipping, some products sat in the warehouse for up to three years before shipping. That is something a consumer simply cannot easily tell- how long a product has sat in a warehouse before it appears on a stores shelf.

 

[Meritamen]

How old do you think the product has been sitting there? If you think it might be over a year then toss it just to be on the safe side.

 

[xcuzememiss]

I think it's fine. Shoot, I will not be throwing any of my CON shampoo away no matter how long I have it. As long as it doesn't stink or it doesn't seperate. I say use it!


Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

 

[CrownCola]

How old do you think the product has been sitting there? If you think it might be over a year then toss it just to be on the safe side.

At least three years...

Sent from my T-Mobile G2

 

[CrownCola]

I think it's fine. Shoot, I will not be throwing any of my CON shampoo away no matter how long I have it. As long as it doesn't stink or it doesn't seperate. I say use it!

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

Yeah, I never even questioned using old bottles of CON poo. ♥ it, and the new one with Argan Oil too, so I could part with it these days.
I just don't have a spot detangler I like as much as the HE.



Sent from my T-Mobile G2

 

[CrownCola]

Thanks for the input.
I'll probably just keep using it, until I find a similar results in another one.
As soon as I figure out how to go about doing it aside from Googling the ingredients...
that idea was easier said than done.

 

[CrownCola]

Update:
Chickened out and ditched it. Back to my custom baggy blend for detangling.
If it ain't broke why risk it...


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