# What happened to my hand lotion? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 27, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-my-hand-lotion/654066 "2013-03-27T01:32:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-my-hand-lotion/654066/1 "2013-03-27T01:32:50Z")
I found a bottle of hand lotion (Vasoline Intensive Care) in the back of a drawer in the basement. It’s probably a few years old. Since it was almost full, I brought it up to use. It was as runny as water. At first, I thought it had separated, but, no. After a vigorous shaking, no difference. I’m pretty sure it won’t hurt me, but, will it still help my dry hands? ---
**Author:** ![PurpleClogs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f04885/32.png) [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-my-hand-lotion/654066/2 "2013-03-27T01:51:40Z")
Probably the oils have broken down. This happens if it’s stored in a place it gets too warm. Also, bacteria or mold can set in when they age. So if it smells funny, toss it. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-my-hand-lotion/654066/3 "2013-03-27T04:00:55Z")
It will still sort-of soften, but it doesn’t really absorb into your skin the same way. I wonder if it could be whipped into the proper consistency, or if it was hydrogenated and the gas is now gone. Unfortunately, they no longer sell the classic yellow-bottle formula.