Hot take: I just threw out $400 worth of expired product I forgot about in my storage closet.

I was doing a big clean out of my treatment room's storage last week, getting ready for a new shipment. I moved a box of masks and serums I bought on a Black Friday deal two years ago, thinking I'd use them eventually. When I checked the dates, almost everything was past its PAO symbol by six months or more. It was a mix of enzyme masks and a vitamin C serum from a brand I don't even carry anymore. I felt so stupid because I kept telling myself I'd get to it, but I was just rotating my main stock. That's $400 down the drain, money I could have used on something current or for a course. It taught me to stop buying in bulk just for a discount unless I know it'll move fast. Has anyone set up a better system to track product dates so this doesn't happen again?

3 comments

3 Comments

ryanm609d ago

Oof, that hurts to read. Did the exact same thing with a box of retail sunscreens last summer. Found them hiding behind towels, all past their date. Such a waste. Now I put a big piece of masking tape on every new box with the open date in sharpie. What do you mark your stock with?

charles218d ago

Honestly, masking tape and a sharpie is the move right there. Tried the label maker like @martin.riley but my guys would just peel the whole thing off and not replace it. Ngl, the bright blue tape on the box edge is what finally worked for us, you can spot it from across the room. Just a big "OPENED" and the month and year, nothing fancy.

martin.riley9d ago

Ugh, the worst feeling. I got a label maker just for this. Big bold date right on the front of the box in that clear tape. It peels off clean so no sticky mess later. Makes it impossible to miss when you're digging for something.