Products To Toss From Your Beauty Cabinet
While we are all sheltering in place and working from home, it is the perfect time to give your beauty cabinet a good spring cleaning. This is a perfect opportunity to indulge in both a non-screen time activity and beauty-related self-care. Ahead is an initial list of beauty products you should sort through:
Makeup Products- Makeup does not last forever. Expired products not only lose quality but can also build up unwanted bacteria after a certain amount of time. Check the backside of the packaging for an open jar symbol, (aka the PAO or “Period After Opening”) symbol, which will have a number and an “M” next to it, indicating how many months the product is good after opening. For a basic rule of thumb, reference this list:
Good For Three Months:
- Eyeliner
- Liquid eyeliner
- Mascara
Good For One Year:
- Concealer
- Cream blush
- Eyeshadow
- Foundation
- Lip gloss
- Nail polish
Good For Two Years:
- Powder (includes powder blush, bronzer & highlighter)
- Lipstick
- Eyeliner pencil
- Brushes
Makeup Brushes
Before you start cleaning your brushes, first check for unsalvageable ones. If a brush is shedding, discolored (despite cleaning), or has a foul smell, discard them. Makeup brushes should be washed at least once a week, and beauty experts suggest cleaning sponges after each use (this is something I do).
Toothbrushes
When was the last time you swapped out your current toothbrush for a new one? If you cannot remember, then it is time to swap it out. Experts recommend replacing every three months.
Shower Products
Loofahs and body sponges are a breeding ground for bacteria after a short period of time. Toss them and while you are in your shower, throw out empty bottles of (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc.) that you cannot squeeze out any tiny bit that is left. Also, consider swapping out your razor if it is starting to get grimy.
Unopened Products
If you have any unopened makeup or beauty products that have been sitting in your beauty cabinet for a while that you have never used, you probably never will so toss those products out.
Sunscreen
What is more important than SPF? Using it properly. Toss out old sunscreen that is expired (as well as self-tanning products) from last summer.
Fragrance
Perfume typically has a shelf life of around two and a half years. To see if your perfume is expired, check to see if there is a vinegar-like odor when sprayed. Also, if a perfume is darker in color than when you got it, that could mean it has gone bad. Also, check for expiration dates.
It is never a good idea to keep or use expired beauty products. Using expired products can lead to skin irritations, fungal infections, and eye infections, so clear out your beauty cabinet of all bad and expired products and until next time, be happy, healthy, and beautiful!