Does Baby Powder Expire?
Wondering does baby powder expire or can baby powder go bad?
The simple answer is yes!
Baby powder does expire, usually withing 3 years of manufacturing.
But that doesn’t mean you have to ditch the half-used bottle of baby powder you found in the back of your closet while doing a clean out.
Or look for a quick baby powder alternative in the midst of a diaper change.
That’s what this guide is for!
We put together this guide so you can easily tell if your baby powder has gone bad!
Here you’ll learn the signs your baby powder has expired, why baby powder goes bad, is it safe to use expired baby powder, and uses for expired baby powder that you might not have thought of!
Does Baby Powder Expire?
Yes, baby powder can expire and often does in about 3 years’ time from manufacture. This means if you do not use your baby powder often you may discover that it has gone bad in the back of your cabinet and will not be safe to use on your baby.
Most baby powders today are made with corn starch while traditionally baby powder was made of talc.
Both corn starch and talc do not tend to go bad.
The reason that baby powder has expiration dates is more to do with the additives.
The stabilizers, anti-caking agents, and fragrances added to baby powder tend to break down over time leading to the baby powder going bad.
How Do You Know Baby Powder Has Expired?
The most obvious sign that your baby powder has expired will be the baby powder expiry date.
Your container of baby powder will usually have an expiration date printed on it.
You should assume that a container without a printed date has expired if it has been in your possession for more than three years.
Here are some clear signs that your baby powder has gone bad or expired:
Your Baby Powder Has Clumped
If your baby powder has not been properly stored, moisture may get trapped in the powder, leading to clumps.
If your baby powder has clumped from moisture do not attempt to un-clump it and use it.
This moisture can breed bacteria and mold.
Instead opt to skip using this and simply toss it out. You do not want to expose your baby’s skin to mold and using this baby powder for other uses can spread mold around your home.
Your Baby Powder’s Scent Has Changed
As we previously mentioned, the one of the reasons that baby powder expires is due to fragrances breaking down over time. This can lead to your baby powder fragrance changing or fading. This is usually a sign that your baby powder is no longer fresh and a good indicator that you should avoid using the baby powder on skin to prevent issues with irritation.
Your baby’s tender skin is more likely to have an issue with the degraded fragrances. If your scented baby powder scent has changed or disappeared do not use it on your baby.
If your baby powder smells moldy or unpleasant, throw it away.
How Does Baby Powder Go Bad?
There are two main reasons that cause baby powder to go bad.
- It is impacted by moisture.
- The additives used in the baby powder have broken down over time.
Most baby powder contains multiple ingredients including fragrances, stabilizers, and preservatives. It is these ingredients that breakdown over time leading to your baby powder going bad.
Baby powders containing only one ingredient such as talc or corn starch will not go bad unless they are stored incorrectly and are impacted by moisture.
Is It Safe To Use Expired Baby Powder?
If your baby powder has expired, it is not recommended to be used on your baby. Whilst your baby powder may look safe to use you baby has sensitive skin and you do not want to risk aggravating it. Instead, you’ll want to find an alternative use for your baby powder.
How Can You Use Expired Baby Powder?
Just because your baby powder is old, and you don’t feel safe using it on your baby’s sensitive skin (good choice) you can still use your baby powder provided it does not have mold or clumping that could lead to mold from excess moisture.
Old baby powder is still useful for an entire host of things like:
Deodorizing Shoes
One of the most common uses for baby powder is deodorizing shoes. You can use expired baby powder for doing this to adult shoes. This can help keep them smelling great or use in new shoes to help reduce friction that can lead to blisters.
Reducing Chafing On Adults
Summertime can lead to a lot of chafing issues. If you do not want to use your expired baby powder on your baby you can still use it on your legs when wearing shorts or a skirt to prevent chafing in your thighs.
Cleaning Up Glitter
Glitter is near impossible for cleaning and if you spill a lot of it the situation can feel hopeless. The good news is that old expired baby powder can be sprinkled over the glitter and will help it glide right over the services instead of sticking to them to make cleaning it up easier than ever.
Cleaning Up Sand
Sand is like glitter and a trip to the beaches can leave you covered in it. To fight this, take your bottle of exported baby powder with you to the beach and use it to make the sand glide right off of your skin. Simply sprinkle and rub.
Use As Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is a blessing for moms that spend so much time taking care of their kids they may not have time to focus on themselves. Baby powder will help freshen your air by absorbing the oil and making it easier to brush your hair out so it can look fresh as ever even when you don’t have time.
Fashion Your Dog’s Fur
Your hair isn’t the only hair that can benefit from that expired baby powder. Sprinkle the baby powder on your dog, rub it in, and give your dog’s coat brushing to make it fresh again without having to wrestle the dog into the bath.
Cleaning Up Oily Surfaces
Baby powder is mostly talc or corn starch. These are great for absorbing oil. If you have an oil-based spill on clothing or a surface such as your tile floor you can use your old expired baby powder to help pick up the mess.
Untangling Necklaces
If you have ever tried to untangle a delicate chain you know how hard it is with the snagging. You can use baby powder to make the chain glide across itself so you can untangle it easier than ever.
Refresh Old Books
If your books have gotten damp and damaged from moisture in the air you can use the old expired baby powder between that pages to help absorb some of that moisture and remove the mildew smell.
If you want to reduce your baby’s exposure to chemicals and save money you can toss out the old baby powder and try one of these baby powder alternatives.
Final Thoughts on How Long Does Baby Powder Last
When it comes to baby powder it is important to note that baby powder can expire. Although expired baby powder is not recommended to be used on your baby there are several ways you can you use expired baby powder.
We hope this guide has been helpful in answering your questions about how long does baby powder last.
And if you’re looking for more great diapering guides, then check out these guides on, must have diaper caddy essentials, diaper free time, how to apply diaper cream, and Desitin vs Boudreaux.
