Does Gel Nail Polish Expire? [This Is What You Need To Know]

When it comes to beauty, we know that most things have a shelf life. You shouldn’t use makeup past a certain date, creams can go bad, and even tools don’t last forever. But what about gel nail polish? Here is what you need to know.  

So, does gel nail polish expire? Gel nail polish does expire, but when it will do so will depend on the brand and when you purchased it. That being said, gel nail polish is designed to last up to 3 years from the time that it was bottled, so as long as you store it appropriately (away from direct sunlight) and shut the lid properly, your polish should last a long time.

Good news all round. 

Your gel polish is designed to last.

And there are certainly ways that you can extend its shelf-life.

But it can only last so long – no matter how well you store and keep it.

And get this wrong, and you can inadvertently spoil it much sooner.

So let us now take a closer look at ensuring you get the most from your gel nail polish purchase! 

How Long Is Gel Nail Polish Good For?

Gel nail polish generally lasts for 2-3 years before the quality starts to degrade. That being said, it does depend on the brand and the formulation. Cheaper brands may not even last this long!

Yes, your gel polish can expire. 

If you’ve recently bought a new bottle that was expensive, that might be rather alarming. 

After all, you can only use so much at once, and you don’t want to waste anything that cost so much. 

Here’s the good news: you’ll probably be long finished with the bottle before the expiration date reaches its earliest possible threshold. 

Even better, you’re choosing one of the more long-lived options for your nail art.

As with everything, the expiration date on gel polish depends a lot on the brand itself. 

So, when deciding whether or not you should use a product, go by the product’s date, not the standard one that we’ll be using here in a moment.

It’s the more reliable option, as it’s tailor-made for the product, rather than being a general estimate. 

Where do you find the expiration date, if one is available? 

Check the packaging carefully, as well as the bottle. 

If there isn’t anything stamped that you can see, check the manufacturer’s website. 

Still nothing? Keep reading!

For many, they’ll find that the expiration date is too tricky to find or is missing altoghether. 

In cases like this, it’s a safe bet that your polish will be off after 24-36 months or 2-3 years. 

That can be double the time that normal nail polish stays good, so gel is definitely a good choice when it comes to shelf life. 

This makes gel polish a more frugal choice if you don’t do your nails very often or like to indulge in more expensive polishes. 

You’ll actually be able to use it longer than other polishes! What’s not to like?

If in doubt about the quality of the product, go with the lower end of that spectrum. 

Make sure that you mark your new bottles with a date of purchase so that they don’t get mixed up, and you can keep track of the date. 

It’s better not to take the chance!

Is It OK To Us Expired Gel Nail Polish?

You won’t necessarily experience any adverse effects or encounter any issues with your nails. But expired gel polish likely won’t have the same consistency, color, or general quality. It is generally best to throw it out and replace it.

Have you got some gel polish that you know has gone off? 

Maybe it’s the leftovers of your favorite discontinued color or the last bit that you have, and there’s a big event coming up. 

Either way, it can be very tempting to just shrug your shoulders and apply it anyway. What harm could it really do?

And, honestly, it’s probably not going to hurt you. 

There are no reasons to suspect that using expired gel polish would be detrimental to your health in any real way. 

Even the downsides that come with other types of expired nail products don’t really exist here. You’ll be just as healthy after your nails are painted as you were before.

If that’s the case, then why bother with expiration dates? The answer is simple: quality.

When a gel polish goes off, its quality goes down. 

Dramatically. 

The beautiful color that you loved a couple of years ago is likely to be a completely different one after some time on the shelf. 

The consistency is likely to be different, too, making an even application impossible in some instances. 

Normally, this means one thing: lumps. 

Lots and lots of lumps. 

And, if you use them, guess what your nails will be covered with? 

That’s right: lumps. 

And nobody wants that!

Other qualities might go down, as well, depending on the formula and brand. 

The uneven job expired polish might be more likely to smudge, crack, or simply become unsightly. 

The smell could possibly change, becoming stronger. 

It’s not the stuff you want on your fingers for a special occasion, that’s for sure! Better to go au naturale.

Of course, just because the gel polish has been out for 24 months and a day, that doesn’t mean that it’s immediately gone bad. 

Before you can rule it completely unusable, it helps to make sure that it’s actually gone off.

How Can You Tell If Gel Polish Is Bad?

Changes in texture, color, consistency, or smell can indicate that nail polish is no longer good to use.

Now that we’ve discussed why you shouldn’t use expired nail polish, you’re probably wondering if you have any in your kit right now. 

Almost everyone that does their nails has some old leftovers, after all. 

Do you have something lurking in a bag, box, or bathroom cupboard that you should throw out?

The best way would be to check the expiration date. 

A second option would be checking when you bought the product and when it was first opened. 

None of those available? 

No worries! 

There are ways to check if your polish is good or not, without having to search for dates.

The first sign that something is wrong is often the texture and consistency of gel polish. 

If yours is anything but the standard gel, then it’s quite likely that it needs to be thrown out. 

There are two real variations that you might have with expired polish. 

The first is the dry, crumbly, often lumpy texture. It’s the more common result of age. 

You might also notice that your nail polish is separating, with a liquid on the surface and thick gunk, sometimes dried, at the bottom. 

Both are signs that you shouldn’t use the product. 

However, any real change in the consistency is cause for concern. 

Note: some polishes require shaking. Make sure yours isn’t one of them before tossing.

Color is also affected by age. 

The color may change as the gel polish ages, sometimes quite noticeably. There is no guaranteed formula as to how the colors will react, but some grow darker and some lighter. 

Sometimes the colors aren’t particularly consistent. 

Not a good choice for beautiful nails.

The last one is probably the most off-putting: smell. 

Bad polish can have a smell to it that is rather unpleasant. 

Often, it’s just the standard smell of the polish, but stronger. 

You might notice more chemical smells or a slightly sour smell sometimes, as well. 

If you notice a change in your polish’s odor, or it seems way too strong, skip it.

How Do You Preserve Gel Nail Polish?

To extend the shelf life of gel polish, store polish in a cool, dark place, away from UV light. Make sure to close your bottles correctly. Clean the neck of the bottle with acetone on occasion.

If you’re worried about your collection of gel polish and its lifespan, don’t worry: there are ways to extend it! 

Taken care of properly, gel polish can last a long time. 

And it isn’t all that difficult since you probably already do most of the list already.

Firstly, always store your polish somewhere out of direct sunlight. 

The best place will be somewhere cool and dark. 

It shouldn’t be too cold or, likewise, too hot. 

Aim for an even temperature. 

No letting bottles sit in your windowsill, and no just leaving them around the house. 

If you don’t already have a proper box or case to put them in, invest in one. 

Or, if necessary, just stick them in a cardboard box with a lid, or stuff it under the bed. 

Be particularly careful of UV light since that’s what is used to harden gel polish.

The second tip is so simple; you’ve likely done it already. 

Just be sure to close the lid properly. 

Making sure that the lid is on right can keep air from getting into the polish, increasing the expiration rate. 

That can end with lumpy, dried-out gel polish that has to be thrown away. 

Before putting away your gel polish (into your cool and dark place, of course), take a moment to make sure that the lid is on right. 

It only takes a moment!

Lastly, if the neck of the bottle is gunky and keeping the lid from closing, give it a cleaning. 

All it takes is a little bit of acetone on a cotton swab and a little bit of patience. 

Make sure to get in all the crevices, removing every bit of dried-on nail polish that you can. 

This can make it easier to get the lid closed properly, preventing all of the bad things that come with air exposure.

Finally

Gel nail polish does expire, I am afraid.

But thankfully, it actually has quite a long shelf-life.

When stored away appropriately.

If you’re looking for a general and rough estimate of how long a gel polish should be good for – then shoot for 36 months.

Of course, a gel polish will always be more effective in the first few months after opening.

But, as long as you look after it – there is no reason why it will not as effective in months to come.

The same goes for acrylic powder too, by the way.