Does Tiger Balm Expire and How Long Is It Good For?
Tiger Balm, like many other topical analgesic ointments, does have a shelf life and can expire over time. The shelf life and expiration date of Tiger Balm can vary depending on the specific product and its formulation.
But usually it’s good for up to four years after it’s date of manufacture. The expiry date can be found on the bottom of the jar, and if it is past this date, it should probably be thrown away.
In fact on the Tiger Balm website it states, “Expired Tiger Balm products, and Tiger Balm Pain Relieving Patches that have been open for 14 or more days should not be used.”
And just for reference, it even says on the jar to look at the bottom, “Batch & Expiry details, please refer to jar base.”
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Once you open your jar of Tiger Balm, the contents will typically last for years. I’ve literally had small metal tins of this stuff in Asia for years, and it seemed to still do its job just fine. But of course I don’t want to say use expired products just in case.
But since this stuff is made mostly of camphor and menthol with a few other herbal ingredients that do break down or loose their effectiveness over time, it’s best to always have fresher balm on hand. But really, I don’t feel it is unsafe, just less potent perhaps.
One thing you can do is to store your Tiger Balm in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Optimally you want to store it below 30 degrees Celsius. Keeping the lid tightly closed can also help prevent the product from drying out or becoming less effective.
Tiger Balm
Red Tiger Balm contains cassia oil which provides relief of Muscular Aches and Pains, relief from joint pain, Sprains, Lumbago and Rheumatism.
- 100% Natural
- Topical Application
- Fast Acting
- Smells Strong!
How Do I Know if Tiger Balm is Bad?
One of the easiest ways to tell if your jar of Tiger Balm is going bad is to look at its color and texture. Since it is a mix of natural products, often when it starts to break down it will loose the potency of it’s signature smell.
If it’s super old, it can even smell rancid, especially if you stored it somewhere that overly hot. It will also begin to get much darker in color, although color change does not always indicate anything is wrong.
Again, Tiger Balm does mention that aging occurs and causes a color change with it, but that does not effect its effectiveness at all. Here’s the quote from their website.
“Tiger Balm Extra Strength Ointment has a reddish-yellow color at the point of production, which gradually turns to the reddish-brown color a few months later. The color of the product further darkens over time due to the natural aging process.
The change in the ointment’s color has no impact to the quality, efficacy, or safety with regards to product use. You can continue using the ointment even after the color has changed, while paying attention to the expiration and storage information on the packaging.”
https://www.tigerbalm.com/us/tiger-balm-faqs/
One note, they are writing specifically about their Extra Strength Ointment here.
In summary, Tiger Balm does have an expiration date, and it’s essential to check the bottom of the jar or the label on some of their other products for that date and follow proper storage guidelines to ensure its effectiveness and safety. Using an expired product may not provide the desired relief and could potentially cause skin irritation or other adverse effects.
FAQs
Does Tiger Balm Have an Expiry Date?
Yes, Tiger Balm has an expiry date that can be found on the bottom of the jar. Many people get confused and look on the top or side of the jar for the expiry date, but it is always on the bottom of the jar.
What Happens if You Use Expired Tiger Balm?
You may experience a rash or itching, but mostly you just won’t get the full effectiveness of a fresh jar of Tiger Balm, so it’s always better to get new balm after a few years.