Okay, so the other day I was staring at this big tub of aloe vera gel I have, and it hit me – does this stuff actually go bad? I mean, it’s basically plant juice, right? So, I did what any normal person would do: I went on a little investigative journey.
The Sniff Test and Visual Check
First, I gave it the old sniff test. You know, like you do with milk. Fresh aloe vera gel usually has a very mild, almost unnoticeable smell. This one, though, had a slightly… off… odor. Not super strong, but definitely not as fresh as I remembered.
Then, I looked at the color and texture. Normally, it’s this clear, slightly thick gel.
- But this time, there were some cloudy patches.
- It also seemed a bit runnier than usual.
That was a red flag for sure.
The Expiration Date Hunt
Next, I started hunting for an expiration date. I’m usually pretty good about checking these, but somehow this one slipped past me. I flipped the container all around, squinting at the tiny print. It usually hides on the crimped edges.
Found it! And, yep, it was past the “best by” date by a few months. Oops!
My Final Verdict (and What I Did)
Between the slightly funky smell, the cloudy appearance, and the expired date, I decided it was time to say goodbye to my aloe vera gel. It’s better not to put expired things on the skin. There may be much bacteria inside it.
So, into the trash it went. I made a mental note to be more mindful of expiration dates in the future, especially for things I put on my skin. And, of course, I’ll be buying a fresh batch of aloe vera gel soon – gotta be prepared for those unexpected sunburns!
