Have you cleaned out your vanity, lately? It’s a must, dear readers, because beauty products do go bad and when they do, ineffectiveness is the least of your worries with flourishing bacteria and other health risks. Here’s what you need to know about when to throw away beauty products …
When to throw away sunscreen
There are few things as important in your daily health and beauty routine as applying sunscreen. I speak from experience having been diagnosed with melanoma 9 years ago. I was very lucky in that the melanoma was caught early.
However, expired sunscreen actually loses effectiveness! Here’s what you need to know…
The FDA requires that all sunscreens retain their original strength for at least three years. Many sunscreens have expiration dates. When the expiration date passes, please do throw your sunscreen away, immediately.
I suggest only buying sunscreen with an expiration date as you have no way of knowing how long a bottle has been sitting around from the time is was produced to the time you purchased it. When in doubt, throw it out.
When to throw away nail polish
I write this tongue in cheek, dear readers, because, if you often change your nail polish, it seems that one never gets to the bottom of a bottle and certainly not within the 12 months experts say you have to “use it or lose it.” That’s right, nail polish is good for one year and even then, only if stored properly.
A tip: Some experts recommend keeping nail polish in the fridge to help it last. The same goes for eye cream and perfume. Talk about a beauty cocktail!
photo by Michael Pederson
When to throw away mascara
Here’s a scary thought: Dried out or clumpy mascara is a breeding ground for bacteria.
Need proof? A study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science tested 40 mascara samples from real women; 79 percent were contaminated with staph bacteria. Yes, staph!
According to Women’s Health Mag there’s a simple explanation, “The moist, dark environment inside the tube is an ideal place for nasty bacteria to proliferate—especially after the three-month mark.”
What to do? Simply commit to throwing away mascara after 90 days, even if it still seems usable.
How to remember to throw away beauty products
Placing a small sticker on the bottom of key makeup and skincare products, as pictured above so that you know when you started using them, is an easy way to make sure the products you are using are safe, healthy and effective.
Do you throw away your beauty products regularly? Have you ever had a problem with an expired product? Do tell! I would so love to hear from you either in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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