How to tell if the skin care product is old?

This review Concentrates on Borghese products. Written by a skin care specialist that used to work with the company for many years. Gives useful tips and advise.

When do the products expire?

What affects the products longetivity?

What are the risks of using an old skin-care or make-up product? Listing of some specific products, their disconntinued or manufactured dates.

Many Borghese items sold online for a "Bargain" are old. The company's products age fast because they do not have preservatives in them. Usually, 2 to 3 years is the limit. Also, it depends where the product has been stored. Light, temperature changes, humidity level and etc. will greatly contribute to the product aging.

How can you tell?   

• Familiarize with product packaging - Borghese counter or Borghese.com. If the product is not listed online - it is discontinued. If the package varies - great chances it is old. there are labels that have black ridges - beware! those are items from 7 or so years ago. Packaging changed when Borghese has left its old name "Princess Marcella Borghese" (the princess deceased about four years ago)
• Once received, examine the box. If you find traces of oils-don't use it, the product has been exposed to prolonged heat or light.
• Once you receive the product - feel the texture, smell it, compare to other ones.Texture should not feel oily unless the product is supposed to hold lots of oils. Should never smell "funny". Some products will even change color, for instance the salt scrub becomes white from the light.

If you use an exipired product (unfortunatelly the box will not have an expiration mark), you risk allergies and best case scenario - receive no real benefits. Discontinue as soon as you notice breakouts (execpt Fango mud), skin becomes dry or sensitive, eyes water even if the product was not applied in the eye area.

Where do the old products come from?

1. The company itself sells bulk wholesale of product to discount stores (yes, that is where you see the Il Bacio perfum for 19.99 when it retails for 45$. And why - it is old!)
2. The company "dumps" old products under certain conditions. Why? Watch out, when a company struggles for cash - they will sell their old old inventory for cash. Borghese has been struggling for the past 4 years. They are improving, getting better, but- lots of old product online is the outcome. This is a very big secret kept by the company. Only an insider would know- and I used to be one. Keep in mind, the main line is absolutely wonderful and didn't get affected by the company's financial problems.
3. The company puts products in a set for a "special deal" - most of them the company wants to sell fast while they are still ok, but will expire soon. This does not apply to all sets, some of them are only created to pull the dollars for the hollidays, and give you a chance to try some other ones.
4. Products can easily "dissappear" from the retail stores and "re-appear" online. Funny, but most of such are the newest! But, some old products get assigned to be thrown out and never make their way to be destroyed.
5. Sales Associates receive 500$ worth of product a year, Department Managers sometimes get 250$. After a while, the associates might decide to get a least some kind of cash
6. Borghese Representatives receive 500$ in product and twice a year- a full line of product (everything carried by company in forms of testers). The Reps are independant contractors and are not obliged by contracts.
7. Surely there is more ways for sellers to get their hands on Borghese, but the above are most common.

Buying Advice

• Always ask the seller what is the age of the product.

• Make sure it is returnable if you are not satisfied.

• Do not by a product you have not tried before.

• Make sure the product suits your skin type

• Consult with a Borghese Rep or Sales Associate.

Product Knowlede

• Fango - this item will last longer than other ones. Can buy with confidence, it is mud afterall.
• Whitening line - unless you are Asian, stay away from these. Should not even be sold in US. was designed for Japan and China.
• Cura di Vita , Cura Notte (all Cura line) - old, got discontinued about 3 years ago, together with other lines. The pump was malfunctioning. Was a very popular item.
• Energia - 4 to 5 years ago got discontinued. i
• Effeto Immediato cleanser - often sold with the old labels that contain black. The only version you should buy is listed on Borghese.com
• Complesso line- only few years old, still good
• Systema Mare- run, run fast - about 5 yrs best case scenario. Peeloff mask replaced it, now you don't have to mix the liquids.
• Gloves and Socks, should be ok, but once used-good only for 6 months.
• Fragrances - Il Bacio is the only baby right now, everything else is older. Fiamma is about 5 to 6 yrs old.
• Check for the rest at the Borghese store- if not listed-than old.