Skin Experts in Kitchener-Waterloo.
After a long and cold Ontario winter, there’s nothing quite like that fresh, light feeling you get when you clean your house from top to bottom, store your winter clothes, and bring your spring wardrobe into rotation. Did you know the same concept applies to your makeup and skincare products? Change of season is an ideal time to revisit the products you use and discard anything that may not be fresh. Here are some general rules of thumb to follow when spring cleaning your cosmetics.
Prep for warmer weather.
If you’ve been slathering on heavy creams to keep your skin nourished over the dry and cold winter, it’s time to lighten up. As the temperature goes up, your skin will naturally produce more of its own moisture, so a medium to lightweight day cream will suffice—unless, of course, you have naturally dry skin.
Check expiry dates.
- Products with medicinal ingredients, such as sunscreens and acne treatments, will have expiry dates listed on the packaging.
- For other skincare products, a good rule of thumb is the toss them six months to a year after opening. If you’re unsure of how old a product is, that is probably an indication in itself that it is no longer fresh. When in doubt, throw it out.
- Mascara has a much shorter lifespan as it has a high risk of contamination. After three months, it’s time to let it go.
- Other makeup products will vary from 6 months to 2 years depending on the formulation. This article from Cosmopolitan is a great detailed resource of when to toss what.
Get reinforcements.
As the days get longer and sunnier, you’ll want to reinforce your routine with sun protection and a brightening serum. This combination will keep sun damage at bay, preventing uneven pigmentation, wrinkles and skin laxity. You’ll want to wear a minimum SPF 30 broad-spectrum sunscreen and reapply every few hours for optimal protection.
Out with the old and in with the new.
It may seem wasteful to throw things away before you’ve used them up; however, there is an increased risk to your skin health when using products that are possibly contaminated. Using expired cosmetics can lead to reactions that may last for weeks at a time. Additionally, when the active ingredients have become oxidized, the product is no longer performing its job—this is especially true in the case of sunscreens and serums. Trust us, turning your spring-cleaning fervor towards your medicine cabinet is a good practice that will result in healthier and happier skin.
If you need a hand with updating your skincare and makeup routine for spring, we’re here to help! Pop by the clinic, or contact us to arrange a personal, professional consultation today.
