Do Deodorant & Antiperspirant Go Bad? Shelf Life & Expiration Explained

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Learn if it’s safe to use expired deodorant

Co-authored by Amy Bobinger, BA Reviewed by Ellen Turner

Last Updated: September 29, 2025 Fact Checked

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Does deodorant expire?

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Signs of Expired Deodorant

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Is it safe to use?

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Extending Its Life

You’re running low on deodorant, but you’ve just found an old stick stashed in the back of a drawer somewhere. Is it still good? Does deodorant even go bad? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We spoke with double board-certified dermatologist Ellen Turner to learn whether deodorant goes bad, how to know if it’s bad, and what happens if you use expired deodorant.

When does deodorant expire?

Double board-certified dermatologist Ellen Turner says that deodorant expires after 2-3 years. If it’s been opened and is 2-3 years old, it’s best to replace it. If it’s unopened, it may last 3 years or more. Expired deodorant may be crumbly, watery, discolored, or have a foul smell.

Section 1 of 4:

Does deodorant expire?

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Yes, deodorant does expire 2-3 years after opening. According to Dr. Turner, deodorant expires after 2-3 years.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Ellen Turner
Double Board-Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview} In other words, it typically has a 2–3 year shelf life once opened. If it’s unopened, deodorant can potentially last 3 years or maybe even longer.^{[2]
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Research source} “Consider purchasing a new deodorant if the current product you are using is older than 2-3 years old,” advises Dr. Turner.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Ellen Turner
Double Board-Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview}
- Dr. Turner says you can typically check the bottom of the deodorant for the month and year it expires. You might also see a lot number, which she says you can enter on the manufacturer’s website to determine the expiration date.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Ellen Turner
  Double Board-Certified Dermatologist
  
  Expert Interview}
- Dr. Turner says gel deodorants typically last the longest.^{[5]
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  Expert Source
  
  Ellen Turner
  Double Board-Certified Dermatologist
  
  Expert Interview} They have a shelf life of 2-3 years after opening.
- Solid and aerosol deodorants last longer than natural deodorants and roll-ons, which tend to only last about 1-2 years after opening.
- Antiperspirants and deodorant-antiperspirants are classified as drugs, and the FDA does require manufacturers to include an expiration date on those.^{[6]
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  Trustworthy Source
  
  US Food and Drug Administration
  U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
  
  Go to source} Like plain deodorant, antiperspirants also have a shelf life of about 2-3 years from opening.
- Deodorant is classified as a cosmetic, so the FDA doesn’t actually require it to come with an expiration date. (Most manufacturers include one anyway.)^{[7]
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  Trustworthy Source
  
  US Food and Drug Administration
  U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
  
  Go to source} How long it lasts depends on the specific formula and ingredients.
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Ellen Turner is a double board-certified dermatologist and founder of the Dermatology Office, specializing in medical, cosmetic, surgical, and laser procedures.

Section 2 of 4:

How do I tell if my deodorant is bad?

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Bad deodorant may be crumbly, discolored, or have an “off” smell. “If a deodorant smells off or is crumbly, watery, or discolored, it is past its prime,” explains Dr. Turner.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Ellen Turner
Double Board-Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview} Expired deodorant might start to lose its fragrance, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s “bad.” But if you smell a sour, spoiled, or mildewed odor, or the color or texture has changed, it's time to toss it out.
- Expired deodorant might not work as well as it did when it was fresh, so if you notice a change in how well it works, replace it with a new stick.

Section 3 of 4:

Can I use expired deodorant?

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Using expired deodorant is probably safe. According to Dr. Turner, “expired deodorant could cause irritation to the skin.”^{[9]
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Expert Source

Ellen Turner
Double Board-Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview} However, there’s generally not much risk of the ingredients degrading to the point of being harmful. Expired deodorant might even still work—although it may not be quite as effective as it was when it was new, and it likely won’t have as strong of a fragrance as it did originally.^{[10]
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Research source}
- Because deodorants are anti-bacterial, there’s not much risk that they’ll harbor germs.^{[11]
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  Research source} However, liquid formulas (like roll-on deodorants) may still be vulnerable to bacterial growth.
- If you think your deodorant might be expired, test it in a small area first to make sure it doesn’t cause skin irritation.

Section 4 of 4:

Extending the Shelf Life of Deodorant

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Dr. Turner says, “All products last longer when unopened and stored in a cool, dry location.”^{[12]
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Expert Source

Ellen Turner
Double Board-Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview} Keep your deodorant out of direct sunlight and away from high humidity—both of these can cause products to spoil more quickly. Also, avoid keeping your deodorant somewhere very warm, as this could cause it to melt.^{[13]
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