Ways to Identify How a Beard Oil or Balm is Going Bad
If you've invested a good deal of money into a high-quality beard balm or beard oil, the last thing you want is to find out that it's gone bad before you finished the bottle or jar. Sadly, even the very best beard products are not immune to going bad after a certain period of time.
There are many reasons why a beard product can go bad. One reason is that you simply took too long to finish it. Most products have a pre-determined shelf life. In fact, the products that contain the most natural formulas are likely to go bad sooner because they're free of synthetic preservatives.
Another reason why your beard product might be going bad is because it's been exposed to harmful bacteria. There are many ways in which this can happen.
The good news is that it's fairly easy to tell if your beard balm or beard oil is going bad. By looking out for these warning signs, you can avoid exposing your beard and skin to a product that's past its prime.
Warning Sign #1: Smell isn't Right
One of the easiest ways to tell if your beard product has gone bad is by its smell. For those who use a particular beard product on a daily basis, you know exactly how it should smell. If the smell seems rancid, chemical-like or just plain strange, it's probably time to throw it out.
Warning Sign #2: Formula is Separating
Beard oils and balms both contain fats and emulsifiers. After a while, the fats will begin to separate from the other ingredients, resulting in a formula that seems to have two different layers of consistencies. This means that the emulsifiers are no longer holding the ingredients together.
Warning Sign #3. The Consistency is Off
You'll know when the consistency of your beard product isn't right. If your balm or oil feels grainy, slimy or chunky, it's time to get rid of it.
Warning Sign #4: Not Doing Its Job
Obviously, your beard balm or oil is supposed to make your beard look better, not worse. However, if the formula has gone bad, it's not going to do its job properly. A beard product that has gone bad might not absorb into the facial hair properly, causing your beard to look greasy and unattractive.
Warning Sign #5: It Irritates Your Skin
If a beard balm or oil that you've been using for some time suddenly irritates your skin within seconds of putting it on, it has almost definitely gone bad. This can be a sign that harmful bacteria have entered into the jar or bottle.
Final Warning Sign #6: The Bottle or Jar is Difficult to Open
If it seems to be more difficult than usual to twist the lid off of your jar or bottle, your product might contain an abundance of harmful bacteria. As bacteria accumulates in the formula of your beard balm or oil, these germs release gases that create pressure within the bottle or jar. As a result, it will be increasingly harder to remove the lid.
Now You’ll Be Able to Tell
Sadly, any beard balm or oil can go bad after a while. Luckily, it's easy to tell if your product is going bad before slathering it all over your face and beard.