What Happens If You Use Expired Healing Ointment?

October 6, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), using any medication past its expiration date can be risky, and ointments are no exception. Here is what happens if you use expired healing ointment, from reduced effectiveness to the potential for skin irritation and infection.

Quick Summary

Using expired healing ointment poses risks of decreased potency and skin irritation due to chemical breakdown. It can also introduce bacteria leading to infection. Visual and textural changes are key indicators of spoilage.

Key Points

Reduced Potency: Active ingredients in healing ointments, like antibiotics, lose their strength and effectiveness over time, potentially leading to inadequate treatment.
Skin Irritation: The chemical composition of the ointment can change, and ingredients may break down into irritating substances that cause redness, itching, or allergic reactions.
Risk of Infection: Expired products can lose their preservative efficacy and become contaminated with bacteria or fungi, which can be introduced into an open wound.
Visual Signs Are Unreliable: An ointment that looks and smells normal may still have degraded chemically, so the expiration date is the only reliable indicator of its safety and efficacy.
Varying Shelf Life: Products with active ingredients (e.g., antibiotics) degrade more predictably than simple emollients like petroleum jelly, but all have an expiration date that should be respected.
Proper Disposal is Key: Expired ointments should be disposed of safely, typically by mixing with an undesirable substance and placing in a sealed bag, or through a take-back program.

The expiration date on any medical product, including healing ointment, is not an arbitrary suggestion but a manufacturer's guarantee of safety and maximum potency. Once this date passes, the ointment's chemical stability and sterility are no longer guaranteed, leading to several potential risks. While using a recently expired ointment for a minor issue might not cause immediate harm, it is an unnecessary gamble with your health. The following sections detail the risks and consequences of using an expired healing ointment.

The Dangers of Using Expired Ointment

Loss of Effectiveness

One of the most common consequences of using expired ointment is reduced effectiveness. Over time, the active ingredients—whether they're antibiotics like bacitracin and neomycin or simple protective emollients like petroleum jelly—begin to break down. This chemical degradation means the product may no longer perform its intended function, such as fighting bacteria or promoting healing. Relying on an ineffective ointment for a wound could lead to a worsened infection or delayed healing. A wound requiring proper antibacterial treatment, for example, could be left vulnerable to bacterial growth if the antibiotic has become inert.

Risk of Irritation and Allergic Reactions

As the chemical compounds within an ointment degrade, they can break down into new, potentially irritating substances. This change in composition can trigger adverse skin reactions, such as redness, itching, burning, and inflammation, particularly in individuals with sensitive skin. In some cases, this can lead to contact dermatitis, an allergic skin reaction. Even for simple, inert products like petroleum jelly, the long-term chemical changes can alter the product's composition and cause irritation.

Potential for Microbial Contamination

Perhaps the most concerning risk is the potential for microbial contamination. Ointments contain preservatives to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi. However, these preservatives can become less effective over time, especially if the container is frequently opened, stored improperly, or exposed to moisture. Once the protective barrier of the preservatives is compromised, the ointment can become a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms. Applying a contaminated ointment to an open wound can introduce bacteria or fungi, increasing the risk of serious skin infections.

How to Identify Expired or Spoiled Ointment

Visual appearance and odor are often reliable indicators that an ointment has gone bad, but they are not foolproof. If you can't remember when you purchased a product or the expiration date is illegible, look for these common signs of spoilage:

Changes in color: A noticeable change in color, such as a white or translucent ointment turning yellow or brown, suggests chemical degradation.
Changes in texture: Separation of ingredients, clumpiness, or a watery, grainy consistency indicates that the emulsion has broken down.
Unusual smell: A sour, rancid, or otherwise unpleasant odor is a strong signal that the product has spoiled.
Product separation: Squeezing the tube may release separated oil or liquid before the rest of the ointment.
PAO symbol: Some products have a Period After Opening (PAO) symbol, an icon of an open jar with a number and the letter 'M' (e.g., 12M), which indicates how many months the product is guaranteed to last after being opened.

Comparison of Ointment Types: Active vs. Inactive Ingredients

The risks and shelf life of ointments can vary depending on their formulation. Ointments with active medicinal ingredients carry different considerations than simple barrier ointments.


Feature	Petroleum Jelly-Based (e.g., Vaseline, Aquaphor)	Antibiotic (e.g., Neosporin)
Active Ingredients	No active healing ingredients (mainly waxes and mineral oil)	Antibiotics (Bacitracin, Neomycin, Polymyxin B)
Primary Function	Creates a protective barrier to lock in moisture and aid healing	Actively fights bacteria to prevent infection
Shelf Life	Can be stable for a long time if stored properly, but still has an expiration date	Active ingredients are more susceptible to loss of potency over time
Risks when Expired	Contamination risk, potential irritation from degraded base or preservatives	Ineffectiveness, leading to a worsened infection; risk of antibiotic resistance from sub-potent formulas

Safe Disposal of Expired Ointment

For health and environmental safety, it is crucial to dispose of expired ointments properly. Do not simply throw them in the trash or flush them down the toilet. Flushing medication can harm aquatic ecosystems. The FDA recommends these steps for disposing of most expired topical products:

Mix with an unappealing substance: Combine the ointment with coffee grounds, cat litter, or another inedible, foul-smelling substance.
Place in a sealed container: Put the mixture in a sealed plastic bag or other container to prevent it from leaking into the trash.
Place in household trash: This is a safe method to dispose of most topical medications, as the unappealing substance deters children and pets from ingesting it.
Use take-back programs: Many pharmacies or local law enforcement agencies offer official medication take-back programs, which are the most environmentally responsible option.

Conclusion

While it may be tempting to save money by using an old tube of healing ointment, the potential risks of reduced efficacy, skin irritation, and infection far outweigh the minimal cost savings. The expiration date is a vital safety marker established by the manufacturer, and once it has passed, the product's integrity and sterility can no longer be trusted. For optimal wound care and to prevent potential harm to your skin, it is always best to discard expired healing ointments and replace them with a fresh supply. Regularly checking your first-aid kit and medicine cabinet for expired products is a simple yet crucial practice for maintaining your family's health and safety.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for medical concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is not recommended to use any expired ointment, regardless of how recently it passed the date, as manufacturers cannot guarantee its safety or effectiveness. The ingredients may have already lost potency or changed chemically.

Yes. Preservatives in the ointment can break down over time, allowing bacteria and fungi to grow. Applying a contaminated product to an open wound can introduce harmful microorganisms and cause an infection.

Look for changes in color, texture (like separation or clumping), and smell. A rancid or unusual odor is a strong indicator of spoilage. If you observe any of these changes, the ointment should be discarded.

Yes, even seemingly inert products like petroleum jelly have an expiration date. While they are more stable than products with active ingredients, they can still degrade or become contaminated, especially if exposed to heat, air, or dirty hands.

Discontinue use immediately. Watch for any signs of irritation or infection, such as redness, itching, or swelling. If a reaction occurs or you have a compromised immune system, consult a healthcare professional.

No, there is no way to extend an ointment's shelf life past its expiration date. However, storing it properly in a cool, dry place away from direct light can help preserve its integrity up to that date.

To dispose of it safely, mix the ointment with an unappealing substance like coffee grounds or cat litter, place it in a sealed plastic bag, and discard it in the trash. Many communities also have drug take-back programs at pharmacies or police stations.