Does Acrylic Powder Expire? [How Long Does This Product Last?]

Acrylic powder is an excellent option if you are looking to take your nails to the next level, far beyond just regular nail polish. It’s a wonderful product and a great nail art choice for beginners. But how long does this powder generally last before degrading? Can it ever expire? Here is what you will want to know.

So, does acrylic powder expire? Acrylic powder does expire, with your typical brand lasting between 12-18 months. Some of the higher quality brands of acrylic powder may be able to last longer. At the same time, cheaper brands or improper storage may reduce the shelf-life or the quality of the product. 

Of course, there are many facets to the question and a few tips along the way.

We will be looking over all of them below, so you’re going to want to keep reading.

Besides, acrylic powder and other nail products are not cheap.

So why not make the most of your investment and your product?

Makes sense to me!

How Long Is Acrylic Powder Good For?

Acrylic nail powder can last anywhere from 12 months to 18 months. Always check the dates provided by the manufacturers, whether before, during, or after purchase, and check any product packaging too. 

We’ve acknowledged that acrylic nail powder can go bad. 

But just how long does it take before it finally expires? 

After all, you may not be willing or able to do your nails with powder regularly.

Nor do you want to have to replace all of your products all over again. 

So, finding the right date for your nail powder is a must.

Generally, an acrylic nail powder will last between 12 months and 18 months. 

This depends on quite a few things, including the product’s formula, how it was stored, and it’s quality. 

If you’re not experienced using or being around acrylic nail powder, play it safe and go with the 12-month mark. 

With a little experience, you will learn how to preserve it best – ensuring it lasts for up to 18 months.

The most accurate date is going to be the one that is given by the manufacturer. 

It’s the date that was set for that particular product, instead of just a general estimation. 

Like the expiration date on most beauty products, it can be hard to find.

You might have to scour your packaging and acrylic container to find it.

Still missing, and you’ve looked everywhere? Check the manufacturer’s website. Nothing? Next step!

If you can, try to locate evidence of when the powder was bought. 

If you got it straight from a reputable place, you can be fairly sure that it was new when you purchased it. 

Using that information, you can determine the rough expiration date for your powder. 

As mentioned above, you’ll want to go with the lower option, 12 months, to be absolutely sure that you’re right. 

And always take the side of caution. The date falls in a gray area? Don’t use it.

None of that works? 

Don’t worry, there’s another option a little further down the page: looking for signs that the powder has gone off. 

It’s a last-ditch effort but better than nothing.

Is It OK To Use Expired Acrylic Powder?

It might cause any harm or damage to your nails, but using expired acrylic nail powder isn’t a good idea. Chances are, the expired acrylic powder will produce varied results.

If your powder turns out to be bad, then what? 

You might be tempted to keep it and use it anyway. 

After all, you might have spent a good bit on the powder, or it might be a certain kind that you really like. 

Sometimes an acrylic powder is just so wonderful that you don’t want to let it go. 

As much as you might want to cling onto that discontinued acrylic, though, you really shouldn’t take the chance. 

It doesn’t normally end well.

Don’t get me wrong: it won’t make your nails fall off or cause some awful infection. 

In fact, there isn’t any reason to believe that you’ll have a negative medical reaction at all.

But that doesn’t mean that you won’t have any negative repercussions. 

It just means that you won’t be making a trip to the hospital because of your manicure. 

Using expired products of any kind is normally a bad idea, and this isn’t any different.

The most common problem when using expired acrylic nail powder? Bad results. 

It should come as no surprise that a product that’s gone bad won’t be as high-quality as it was before it expired. 

This means that trying to use the last bit that you have before your engagement party or a big date could leave you looking worse for wear. 

It’s usually a better choice to just go without.

Did you accidentally use an expired product before realizing it was expired? 

No need to fret. 

While you shouldn’t do it again, if possible, it’s not going to be a catastrophe. 

The worse that’s likely to happen is that your nails don’t look good. 

If they’re looking good now, keep in mind that they’ll be more brittle than they would be with a fresh powder. 

So take care of them, be gentle on them, and remember to throw out the acrylic powder as soon as possible!

How Can You Tell If Acrylic Powder Is Bad?

There are a few signs that your acrylic nail powder has gone bad: Color changes, change in smell, and change in texture.

Does your jar of acrylic powder just seem… off? 

You’re sure that you didn’t choose that shade, but it’s sitting on your dresser with the rest of your supplies. 

What happened?

It’s simple: your powder expired. 

When acrylic powder expires, the color is often one of the first things that will become different. 

Color Changes

The color change will likely be your first clue, particularly if the container is transparent. 

There are different changes, sometimes darker, sometimes lighter. 

Often, these color changes aren’t evenly distributed, making the discoloration even more obvious. 

If you see this in your acrylic powder, it’s time to give it up. Toss it in the trash can.

Of course, there might be something else. 

Smell

Opening the jar, you could be blown away by the force of the stench. 

You might be used to the scent of acrylic, but this is likely to be strong to anyone, professional or amateur nail artist. 

The smell is something you’ll take notice of the instant the jar is unscrewed. 

As is the case with many nail products, the longer it ages, the stronger the smell gets. 

Acrylic already has a bit of a smell to it, but expired acrylic smells even stronger. 

It will be noticeable when you first open the container, so it should be an obvious warning sign.

Product Consistency

Lastly, there’s consistency. 

This is a bit trickier, as it depends on you knowing the right feel that a good acrylic has. 

If this deviates too much, becoming lumpy, sticky together, then you need to move on from that powder. 

There’s no way to reverse the problem, and your powder isn’t going to grow younger. You should just save your time and throw it away.

After application, you might notice a few more issues. For one, it can’t be applied as easily as fresh acrylic powder. 

You’ll likely end up with unsymmetrical results that you certainly won’t like. 

Not a great look.

How Do You Preserve Acrylic Nail Powder?

Keep your acrylic nail powder outside of direct sunlight, and protect it from temperature extremes. Be careful about the containers it’s stored in. Keep it from getting wet.

After all of this, you’re probably desperate to extend the life of your nail powder. 

Don’t worry: with proper storage, it will last you up to 18 months, which is plenty of time to use it. 

Even better? 

These tips are a good idea for all of your nail art supplies, and you’re probably already in the process of doing them now.

Prevent Direct Sunlight

The biggest tip is not to let your powder be in direct sunlight. 

Sunlight can increase the aging of your nail powder.

It can also cause worse discoloration in your expired acrylic powder. 

Instead, keep it in a special lidded container. 

Don’t have one? Improvise! 

Keep it beneath your bed or in a backpack. 

Tuck it away in your closet or that one kitchen drawer that you don’t really use. The possibilities are endless!

Avoid Temperature Changes

You should also avoid big changes in temperature. 

Acrylics are at their best when they’re at room temperature. 

Don’t let them get too hot, and don’t let them get too cold. 

Room temperature is right. Letting the temperatures fluctuate wildly, too, increases aging. Best to avoid it.

Choose The Right Container

Need to move some acrylic into a new container? 

Be careful, because choosing the wrong one can cut down on its lifespan. 

Not just any container will do. It’s best to use containers made specifically for this product, since it’s more likely to work. 

Without access to that, choose a jar or similar container with a screw-on lid that can be attached tightly. 

Try to choose something that is opaque and light-colored, to keep sun and heat out. Avoid metal.

Keep Dry

And, something that seems obvious but often isn’t, don’t let your powder get wet. 

Don’t leave it in the bathroom, where the steam from your shower can get into your powder. 

Instead, make sure that its storage place is nice and dry. That means no keeping it in a basement that floods.

Finally

Acrylic nail powder does have a shelf life and it does expire, unfortunately.

That being said, a new powder can last up to 18 months.

Sometimes longer if your lucky,

But it does mean you will need to take care of it.

Ensure it is properly sealed, put in a safe place, etc.

And just consider this.

New, fresh product is always going to be more effective.

The older your product the higher the chances that deterioration starts to set in.

Will it ruin your mani?

Perhaps.

But as long as you opt for decent and premium brands, you should be more than okay.

The same goes for gel polish too, by the way.