How should cosmetics be stored so that their shelf life is not compromised?

Cosmetics don’t lose their quality all at once, but gradually, and usually due to three factors: heat, light, and the amount of time a product spends in storage. Storing products in a way that takes these factors into account helps you avoid write-offs and complaints about products that smell or feel different than the customer expects.

A specific location instead of the nearest one

Items are assigned a fixed location that suits the product, not just the first available spot. For cosmetics, that means keeping them away from exterior walls, loading doors, and direct sunlight. That sounds obvious, but it’s exactly where things go wrong once a warehouse gets full and people start improvising.

First come, first served

For non-perishable items, don’t grab the box that’s easiest to reach—choose the one with the shortest shelf life instead. That way, your oldest stock will run out first, and what’s left will remain saleable the longest. Without following that order, you’ll unwittingly end up with a backlog of items that no one wants anymore.

The date is set upon arrival

Shelf life is recorded when the inventory arrives, not estimated retroactively. This means you know at any given moment what’s in stock, how long it will last, and which batch should be used first. If you don’t provide those dates, the warehouse won’t be able to monitor that order.

Open vs. Closed Shelf Life

In addition to an expiration date, many cosmetics also have a use-by date after opening, as stipulated in the European Cosmetics Regulation. The latter determines what information must be included on your packaging and product page, and is your responsibility as a brand or importer. The warehouse monitors the former.

What you provide yourself

For each item, please specify its shelf life, whether any special storage conditions apply, and the remaining shelf life beyond which you would prefer not to ship a batch. That last threshold is up to you: a cream that still has two months left on its shelf life isn’t necessarily one you’d want to send to a new customer.

What Happens as a Date Approaches

Items that are nearing their limit are flagged so you can choose whether to mark them down, include them in a promotion, or remove them from sale. That’s a business decision and is entirely up to you; the warehouse will ensure you can process it in time.

Discuss your product lineup in advance

Perfume, nail polish, and personal care products each have their own specific considerations, and these differ enough that you can’t apply a one-size-fits-all rule. If you go over your product lineup during the first meeting, you’ll know right away what applies to your products.