How to declutter your beauty and skincare products: what to trash, what to keep and when expiry dates matter
- For skincare products, experts say if you see changes in colour or separation, they should be thrown out
- Oils such as marula and jojoba can stay fresh for a long time, while formulas with volatile ingredients such as vitamin A or retinol are best used ASAP
Working from home and the coronavirus lockdowns have given you time to spring-clean your wardrobe – but what about your bathroom cabinets? Like clothes, your skin, hair and make-up arsenal also needs to be regularly refreshed. We asked experts for their advice on decluttering and streamlining your bathroom shelves.
Skincare
We are all guilty of stockpiling beloved beauty products, but experts say you should take inventory of your skincare items at least once a year.
“I start by looking at suggested shelf life and expiration dates for all opened and unopened items,” says New York-based beauty blogger Renee Chow. “It is a good indication of whether the product is usable or not, especially as beauty companies move towards more ‘natural’ formulas and different preservative systems.”
For products that do not have a suggested shelf life, Chow, aka Gothamista, suggests a more thorough examination.
“Any change in smell or colour is usually a sign that the product shouldn’t be used. For example, if a cream started off white and has turned brown or orange, it usually means it has oxidised [chemically reacted with oxygen],” she says.
“Separation also happens with products that are not made well or if the preservative system is no longer effective. The item could be susceptible to mould and should be tossed.”
