Does Hair Mousse Expire? [And How Long It Can Last]

Switching hairstyles or trying new products can cause us to push our other products to the back of the cabinet or side of the sink. Hair mousse is no exception. So, if you've decided to go back to using your hair mousse after taking a break, you might be wondering whether it expires or how long it can last. Well, we've researched in-depth and have the answer you need!

Hair mousse can expire. If unopened, it will last up to three years. Once opened, it should be used within 12 to 18 months. Some hair products will list an expiration date on the package, so be sure to check there first. 

So now you know you have a maximum of three years out of your hair mousse, and less once it is opened, but keep reading! We will answer some other questions you might have about your hair mousse, including how to tell if it has expired. Additionally, we'll answer some questions about how to fix your mousse bottle if it's not working right.

Expired Hair Mousse

Hair mousse itself doesn't have a general expiration date unless marked on the packaging. This should be the first place you check. You might not realize it because we typically only imagine consumable items having an expiration date. However, many beauty products do have an expiration date listed on the packaging.

This doesn't apply to every product, and some might not list a date at all. However, as a general rule, hair products, which include mousse, will all expire. Hair products will last between 1 to 3 years, depending on whether it is sealed or open. 3 years is the maximum if sealed and stored correctly.

Products might expire quicker if they are exposed to heat and sunlight. You'll get more life out of them if they remain in a cool, dry place. Follow any storage recommendations on the bottle to prolong the life of your mousse. This a good way to extend the life of any beauty product. Take a second to read the packaging of your products before you use them.

If your mousse doesn't have a date listed and you're not sure when you purchased it, you'll have to resort to trying to figure out whether the mousse is expired yourself.

How do you know if mousse has expired?

Understandably, you don't want to waste your money or your product, but using an expired mousse will likely result in disappointment. So, how can you tell if your mousse has expired? There are a few things you need to watch for.

If the mousse has changed consistency, color, or smell, it's a sure sign your mousse has expired. When we talk about consistency, we mean whether the mousse seems separated or thinner. Your mousse might even look lumpy. The bottom line is if it looks or smells any way other than it did when you first bought it, you should err on the side of caution.

You might also notice the product isn't as effective as it was when you first got it. If your hair isn't holding the style or the mousse isn't doing what it says it should on the bottle, you should throw it away. Expired mousse might also feel different when it's applied. Your hair might feel stiffer and crunchy.

If your mousse looks the same as it did when you first bought it, it'll likely be fine to use. However, you should be careful using expired products. If you have any doubt at all, toss it in the trash and buy a new bottle.

What happens if I use expired hair products?

You might be tempted to use expired hair products. Especially if it's a favorite product or you're in a pinch. When most products expire, they will typically lose efficacy. This means it won't perform the way it is supposed to.

However, using expired products that are meant for your hair can be riskier. Our scalp is sensitive, and applying expired hair products may irritate it. This could lead to problems with your hair, especially if the product contains any harsh chemicals.

If your scalp starts to sting or burn after applying a hair product that might be expired, you should immediately wash it out. You might need to wait a few days before applying any other hair products. If you're extremely worried, contact a dermatologist for help.

Do you really want to risk damaging your hair or scalp? It's better to avoid the chance and head to the store for a new product.

Mousse Bottle Problems

So, you've figured out that your bottle of mousse is not expired and good to use, but now it won't come out of the bottle. The nozzle might be clogged or broken. Don't worry, though! You shouldn't throw the bottle away before you try to solve the problem.

How do you unclog a mousse bottle?

The best way to unclog a mousse bottle is by removing the cap and cleaning it. Remove the nozzle and let it sit in hot water. The mousse will clog the nozzle because it hardens, so the idea is to soften up the clog.

Once softened, try to remove the clog without poking anything inside, as this can damage the nozzle mechanism. It's okay to use a pin to gently scrape away the hardened mousse as long as you're not inserting it into the nozzle.

If the lid is not removable, place the nozzle under hot water and try to break away the hardened mousse. If hot water doesn't do the trick, you can also try soaking the nozzle in rubbing alcohol.

Click here to see Viva Doria Isopropyl Alcohol 99%, Rubbing Alcohol on Amazon.

Once it has spent some time soaking, use a q-tip to wipe away any remaining mousse. If your mousse still doesn't come out of the bottle, the nozzle might be broken.

Can you fix a broken mousse nozzle?

It can be infuriating when you have an almost full bottle of hair mousse and the nozzle breaks. What are you supposed to do with all the mousse trapped inside? Whether you can fix a broken nozzle will depend on how it is broken.

A common way nozzles break is when the plastic connector that attaches to the rim of the bottle snaps and becomes disconnected. This may come as a surprise, but fortunately, this issue is fixable!

With the help of some heat, you can melt the plastic so that it reattaches. One way to do this is by heating a butter knife on your stove. You'll then apply the butter knife to the rim of the bottle to melt the plastic.

This video tutorial below will show you exactly how to do it:

Unfortunately, if your nozzle is broken in another way, you might not be able to fix it. You can try switching out the nozzles if you have one that is the same or similar. Otherwise, it might be less work and less stress to just buy a new bottle.

Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, like most things, hair products, including mousse, do expire. Hopefully, our article has informed you on what to look out for when it comes to expired products. If in doubt, throw it out!

Since we're talking about beauty products expiring, you might be interested in finding out whether body scrub does too. Check out our other blog post on the topic here: Does Body Scrub Expire? [And How To Tell If Yours Has!] or if you're concerned about your moisturizer, check out this post: How Long Does Moisturizer Last (And Can It Expire?)