How To Tell if Nail Polish Is Expired. The texture of your nail polish will be a major indicator of whether it's seen better days. Particles and dried out liquid, or a gooey, thick texture can all be signs that a polish may be past its expiry.

“The main problem with using a polish that's been open for more than two years is that it won't yield as good of a user experience. It will probably be thick and hard to put on, and the color might have faded, too,” says Berry. “As polish gets old, it loses the ability to support an even, beautiful application.

Nail polish can dry out your nails: TRUE "Leaving your nail polish on for too long can dry out the nails, leaving them brittle," says Dr. Curry. "Thin, brittle nails pose a health hazard because the nail is a barrier to keep out bacteria and fungus."