Shelf Life and Storage of Raw Materials and Finished Products

Subject: Shelf life and storage questions

Hello,

Thank you for your questions regarding product shelf life and storage.

Regarding your first question about the "age... after opening" for raw materials:

• This typically refers to the shelf life of the raw material itself, often guaranteed by the manufacturer.
• However, as the staff mentioned, the packaging also has a lifespan. If the packaging degrades before the ingredient expires, you may need to transfer the raw material to a suitable, durable container to maintain its quality for the full duration of the ingredient's shelf life.

Regarding your second question about the shelf life of finished products:

• The shelf life of a finished product is highly variable and depends on many factors, including the specific ingredients, the formulation (e.g., presence of water, pH, preservatives), the packaging, and manufacturing conditions.
• While 6 months is a common minimum shelf life for some cosmetic products, many finished products, especially those with effective preservation systems and stable ingredients, can have a shelf life of 1-3 years or even longer.
• Determining the exact shelf life requires stability testing of the finished product under various conditions.
• (Note: I cannot access the specific link topic171.html provided in the staff's response to give you details from that source.)

Regarding your third question about storing a finished product containing Licorice Extract:

• The storage conditions for a finished product are determined by the stability of the entire formulation, not just the storage requirements of one raw material ingredient like Licorice Extract.
• While Licorice Extract raw material may require refrigeration for long-term storage due to its sensitivity, the finished product's stability at room temperature depends on how the extract interacts with other ingredients, the effectiveness of the preservation system, the type of packaging, and the overall formulation's robustness.
• A well-formulated product might be stable at room temperature even if some raw materials require stricter storage. However, if the extract is particularly sensitive or present in high concentrations, or if the formulation is not optimized for stability, the finished product might still benefit from or require cooler storage conditions, or its shelf life might be reduced at room temperature.
• Ultimately, the recommended storage conditions for the finished product should be determined through stability testing of the final formulation. If no specific storage instructions are provided for the finished product, storing it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures is generally a good practice to help maintain its quality and extend its life.

Hope this helps clarify your questions!