How long with an opened tub of shaving cream last?

[mwhals]

If a tub of shaving cream is opened and used then the cap screwed back on, does it ever dry out if used over a couple of years? I am curious, because I usually use one tub at a time, which is the TOBS Avocado right now. I have two newly arrived tubs of Trumper's (Violet and Coconut) that I am wanting to try. Between the two new tubs, the TOBS, and my Proraso tube, I can go a very long time without ordering any more cream. I just don't want to have any of it dry up over time.

As a chemical engineer, I would guess they won't dry up if the cap is kept on it.

Thoughts?

Mark

[kingfisher]

Most creams have a symbol on the side that tells how long the product is supposed to be good after opening. usually it's between 12 and 24 months.

However, a lot of people say they get good use out of creams long after the so-called expiration time has passed. Also, if the tub is never opened, I would imagine it would be good to go for years.

[mwhals]

I will check the tubs or boxes to see if I find something.

Thanks for the reply.

Mark

[Newfie]

I had a tub of cream go hard just like soap.

It's ~ 3 or 4 years old, always sealed.

Here's the post I did and a reply:

CLICKY ME!!

[spettro]

Hi,

While I have been using a DE forever I only started using high end creams 5-6 years ago. Like many of you, I'm sure, I went a little nuts and bought way too much stuff. I then lost interest until recently, so I started using my left over old stuff and noticed the following :

1) TOBS Lavendar - Good as new. Great consistency and scent. Lathers well.

2) Trumpers Violet - Still great. Slightly dry, but great scent and lather.

3) T&H Trafalgar(sp) - Good. Significantly dry with some loss of scent. Still lathers very well.

4) Coate Rose - Dry with no scent. Discarded.

I cannot compare the tubs with one another as I have no way of knowing the exact age of each. However, they are all at least 5 years old and 3 out of 4 are still good if not great.

[tkto13]

Would the use of parabens affect the drying time or scent loss after opening?

I looked at the packaging of my Coats (new formula - paraben free), AOS Sandalwood (with parabens) and Trumpers hard soap. They all have the 12 month symbol on them. Clearly a soap does not spoil in 12 months!

Did someone mention they keep opened creams in the fridge?

[drewguy]

FWIW, my TOBS avocado, with regular use, has gotten a lot stiffer over the year I've had it open. Still works fine and I can scoop with a finger, but working the lather usually requires me to spread out a little clump some more.

On the other hand, my TOBS Rose, which I've had the same amount of time, seemed to get slightly more liquidy during the year. Not sure why, and it lathered just fine. In fact, two of the best lathers were the last two from the tub, which I just finished today.

[mretzloff]

If a shaving cream does not contain a preservative or preservatives, whether a paraben or a paraben-free one, it is really a luck of the draw. They could go bad at any time. If a shaving cream has a preservative in it, it should last for a very, very long time. It may dry out or loose its scent, but should not go bad if made properly.

The expiration dates exist because of EU regulations and because companies know that people will throw their stuff away and replace it.

[bjh618]

I beleive most european products have a little symbol on the package that tells you how long the product is good for after being opened.

I have a tube of proraso that has been opened over 18 months and seems to have lost someof its menthol hit...

[tkto13]

I beleive most european products have a little symbol on the package that tells you how long the product is good for after

My two creams have the symbol. It was 12 months for both the paraben free and paraben + creams. It may just be a standard time line.

I'm slightly worried about my Coates. It received one of the tubs that was impossible to open. I pried a bit with metal utensil and got it open. But, the lid has a small crack; just enough to let air pass.

I just might have to use it more frequently.

[Jethro1984]

I'm slightly worried about my Coates. It received one of the tubs that was impossible to open. I pried a bit with metal utensil and got it open. But, the lid has a small crack; just enough to let air pass.

I just might have to use it more frequently.

Put it into a small resealable ziploc bowl or something. No need to let it dry out over a cracked tub. Label appropriately. It may not be pretty but it is functional and keeps you from losing the cream.

[tkto13]

Put it into a small resealable ziploc bowl or something. No need to let it dry out over a cracked tub. Label appropriately. It may not be pretty but it is functional and keeps you from losing the cream.

Will do ... thanks for the push. The look of the cream on the counter stopped me from acting logically. Can I use the empty cream container for something? How do I know if a soap will fit into it?

[SilverKarn]

I have two TOBS tubs of shaving cream, Eton College and Sandalwood, they both are more than a year old, and the Sandalwood has a open crack in its lid.

Both creams have dried out and i have mixed in water to bring them back to cream consistency. They both lather and shave like i first got them.

If you do this, make sure you use a spoon and GO SLOW, if you go too fast you will introduce air into the cream and you will make bubbles instead of cream.

[grouse79]

This is one of the hazards of the ADs. I have two and a half tubs of TOBS cream , the former hardly used, which I am determined to use up this year before they dry out anymore. I'm currently making my way through the lavender and have found my Vulfix 404 works well with it, a brush I have used mostly with soaps. As nice as variety may be I think I'll have to restrict myself to only owning one TOBS cream at a time.

[The Nid Hog]

I've got tubs of Nancy Boy and Frazer's that have been opened over two years and seem none the worse for wear.