Supple Cow

I just smeared a bunch of old lotion on my arms and now I reek! It's an old container of Bath & Body Works cucumber melon body cream and it should smell fresh and wonderful. Instead, it's all musky and disgusting. I don't know how many years old it is, but I've definitely used really old lotion before. This is the first time I've opened it since Christmas and it was fine then.

Does this usually happen? Have you ever had lotion go bad on you? If so, how long did it take?

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maleficent

I've seen stuff go bad if it's gone thru temperature changes... I like warm lotion, so I used to keep a bottle on my radiator so it'd be toasty warm... come spring, when it warmed up outside and the bottle no longer cooked the lotion changed consistency..

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Grasshopper Green

I've never had this happen...then again, I'm a lotion-aholic and lotion never lasts that long for me. It may *rarely* last a year, but it's never changed smell. It's definitely gotten runnier over time though.

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Formerly Medusa

maleficent

Bath and Body Works isn't a fly by night operation that actually does give pretty good customer service... you might try the Contact Us form on the website -- I wouldn't mention that the lotion is old -- but say that you last used it in December and it was fine - and you used it today and it seems to have turned... They might have you check for an expiration date - they might suggest returning the product to the store... ya never know...

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Pip

It depends on how you store it, like Mal says, and if any bacteria has contaminated it. I've found forgotten lotion bottles that were several years old and they were... not so nice. Runny and rancid.

TotalMILF

I used to work at a Bath and Body Works, and all their lotion technically expires after 2 years. I think that's about the usual shelf life of lotion...

diddagirl

I have had this problem with almost any "old" cream that I tried. It smells literally... old and dusty. Quite gross actually. I would say all creams should have a max 2 year time line, before they should be turfed.

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lullay

I work for Prescriptives. Lotion is generally good for up to 24 months, and after that the chemicals start to separate and degrade. Some face creams and serums will oxidate within minutes of hitting the air and degrade within a matter of days if the lid/cap is not sealed tightly.