A well-organised and clean space can help clear the mind and set each day up for success, but facing a big re-set can be daunting, leading to putting the job off longer than is necessary.
There are two ways to approach the job: Set aside some time on a day to get the job done in one sitting, or, choose one category or small section and do one each day. Time how long it takes you, you might be surprise it’s faster than you think, motivating you to move on to the next category or section.
In terms of ditching products, it’s best to be careful with old products, but there’s no need to go overboard. Many of us own far too many products, but throwing them all out at once, or feeling like you need to replace them, can lead to unnecessary waste.
So where to begin? Here are five things it’s may be time to toss:
Expired products
Just like the food in your pantry or refrigerator, makeup and skincare comes with an expiry date. As beauty products age and are exposed to air, heat and light, preservatives stop doing their job and active ingredients become unstable,asess
which means they’re often not advisable to use on your skin.
Skincare items may not show visible signs of expiration, but that doesn’t mean the bacteria isn’t there.
While some beauty products have an expiry date printed on them, most simply come with a period-after-opening (PAU) symbol. The small symbol looks like a little jar and can usually be found on the packaging or back of a product and has a number followed by an M – for example, 9M – to indicate how many months a product can safely be used for once it is open.
Because most products don’t come with an expiry date, unless you keep a note of every single product you open, it can be tricky to keep track of when it’s best to bin something. This is when you should use your judgement and assess whether there has been a change in smell, colour, consistency or texture.
Old SPF
It’s important to strictly adhere to the expiry of sunscreen and SPF products. Aotearoa’s melanoma rates are the highest in the world and this deadly skin cancer is responsible for taking the lives of almost 300 Kiwis a year. It’s vital that we wear broad spectrum sunscreen every day.
Old and expired SPF and sunscreen products are less effective at preventing damage from ultraviolet light, meaning you are at risk of not getting adequate protection.
In general, most SPF products are expected to have a shelf life of up to three years. But it’s not always that simple; depending on the formula, this expectation is when the product has been stored away from light and heat. So if it’s been sitting in a car glovebox or on a windowsill, it’s likely to expire much faster.
Mascara
Another product it’s dicey to hold on to for too long is mascara. Every tube should be replaced every 3 to 6 months.
Various microorganisms live on your facial skin, including your eyelids and can be easily transferred to the tube.
Over time, mascara and eyeliner tubes can become a breeding ground for bad bacteria which you then bring in contact with the eye area. This increases the risk of eye infections if the product is used for too long. Additionally, mascara tends to dry out as it ages, making it difficult to apply evenly and often resulting in clumping or flaking.
Hairbrush
Not exactly a risk to your health but seriously, when was the last time you cleaned or replaced your hairbrush?
A spring clean is a good time to assess whether yours is still working for you. A dirty or broken one can have an impact on the health and finish of your hair.
To clean a brush, use a comb, or the end of a tail comb to gently pull out the hair caught in the bristles. If it’s tangled, scissors can help carefully snip through knots.
Then, use an warm water, gentle soap and an old toothbrush or a small scrubbing brush to gently clean between the bristles and around the base of the brush. This helps remove any buildup of oils, product residue, or dandruff.
Cream products
Any cream-based products, like cream blush, bronzer or highlighter, in an open-top palette or pot are more susceptible to housing bacteria. This is increased when you dip your fingers in to apply them.
Makeup sponges and brushes
If you have makeup sponges or brushes that are beyond cleaning, discoloured, or shedding bristles, it’s time to replace them.
One study showed sponges similar to a Beauty Blender had the highest levels of potentially harmful bacteria. They also discovered that the vast majority (more than 90 per cent) had never been cleaned and more than 60 per cent had been dropped on the ground at some point.
Once you’ve finished your clean-out, for any products you need to replace, consider buying refillable versions to cut down on packaging waste.
