Spring is less than a week away and it’s time for some spring cleaning. Most will have vacuuming, cleaning out the fridge, dusting, etc. on their to do list. But many might forget about a spring cleaning of their skincare. We have 4 tips to help you spring clean your skincare and declutter.
Know When to Toss
Most of us have way more skincare products than we need: Loads of samples, unopened products, or the products that have only been used a few times that we keep telling ourselves that we’ll use soon. Start by pulling everything out of your cabinet and drawers and figure out what you actually need by asking yourself these questions:
Is it expired?
Many skin care and beauty products will either have an expiry date printed on the package or a Period After Opening (PAO) symbol on the back of the product to indicate how long the products will stay fresh after it’s opened. The PAO symbol is an icon of an open jar with a number, and an ‘M’ in the middle, indicating how long the product is good for after it has been opened. For example, 6M means six months. If it’s past its date, toss it out.
Is it working for my skin?
If the product isn’t or wasn’t working for your skin, toss it out. This includes scented products you can’t bear to smell and anything that stops you from using them regularly.
When was the last time I used it?
Any changes in the smell, color, or consistency of your products are a good indicator that it’s time to throw it out. It might be tempting to keep favorite products for years, but you may be doing more harm than good for your skin. Expired skincare and cosmetic products can cause irritation, allergic reactions, and even infection.
Declutter the Washroom:
It’s time to go through your washroom and get rid of all those barely used body lotions, scrubs and hair products. Hair and body products also expire over time, and most brands will have a PAO label on the back. Apply the same tips above to help you declutter your bathroom of expired and less than desirable products.
Tip: Try only to buy what you need and only when you’re running low. If you want to try a new product out, try to use it up. If you don’t like it from the start either throw it out or give it to a friend who would like it. There’s no point in holding on to it with the hopes that you might like it later on.
Cleaning All Your Tools
Makeup brushes should be washed weekly. Give your makeup brushes a spring cleaning to remove oil and bacteria in the bristles that can cause clogged pores. Start by running your brush under warm water until it’s wet. Then apply a small amount of gentle shampoo–Baby shampoo is a great option. Then, swirl it in the palm of your hand to create a lather. Rinse until the water runs clear, squeeze out the excess water, and place them on a clean towel to dry.
Hairbrushes and combs are often forgotten and not cleaned, but they should be. Used on a daily basis, your hairbrush can collect a lot of buildup from hair products and dead hair. Start by removing all the hair from the bristles and soak the brush and comb in some warm water with a bit of shampoo. Gently rub off any product build-up, rinse your brush and let it air dry.
Tip: Every time you use your hairbrush, try to remember to remove any hairs left in the bristles and give it a good wash every month.
How to Store Your Products
Now that you have gone through all of your products, it’s time to put them back in the proper environment. Where you store your products can affect how long they will last. Store products out of direct sunlight, heat, air, and humidity and, if you don’t use the products daily, try to store them in a cool dark place.
