# Is this tube of expired Tretinoin still good?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-tube-of-expired-tretinoin-still-good/699896>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 29, 2014, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-tube-of-expired-tretinoin-still-good/699896 "2014-09-29T19:03:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-tube-of-expired-tretinoin-still-good/699896/1 "2014-09-29T19:03:43Z")

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So, I have an almost full tube of Tretinoin Cream 0.025% that has an expiration date of May, 2014. I’m wondering if it’s still useable. The twist is that it has been open since the spring of last year and stored in my bathroom.

:smack:

If it’s still useable albeit less potent, that’s ok with me. I’d love to just go to the dermatologist and get some more, but my insurance requires a pre-authorization (which IME generally means ain’t gonna happen).

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**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-tube-of-expired-tretinoin-still-good/699896/2 "2014-09-29T20:44:01Z")

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You could ask your neighborhood pharmacist if you are concerned about whether you should or shouldn’t use it, but I wouldn’t hesitate using it myself.