Cosmetics Declutter

There’s no better feeling than relaxing in a clean and tidy home, especially as organising is directly linked to a long list of benefits: lower stress, improved physical wellness, and better mental health. It’s time to give our dressing tables and makeup bags the same treatment.

Cosmetics are often overlooked when it comes to home organising, but our beauty products can be home to some hidden nasties. This week, we’re taking a moment to clear out our makeup bags to banish any expired products… but what should we be looking for when checking?

If you turn your products over, there will usually be a small jar logo with a number inside. This number is accompanied by an ‘m’ (meaning ‘months’), which indicates your cosmetic’s expiry date.

But sometimes a much-loved product is still too full, and too good, to throw away even after the expiry date! If you can’t bear to part with your favourite makeup product just yet, here’s our checklist for knowing when it’s time to say goodbye:

• Mascara shouldn’t be used after the expiry date, as this product goes so close to the eyes. If your mascara has dried out, or has changed colour or scent, it’s expired.

• Liquid makeup often contains a mixture of water and silicone or oil—which can split when the product goes bad. Keep an eye on foundations, primers, or liquid lipsticks, and if any begin to separate or show any change in consistency, then you need to discard it.

• Lipsticks and creams are trickier to spot when they’ve expired, but luckily these products are typically wax based so are at less risk of microbial growth. Keep an eye (or a nose!) out for a crayon smell, as this is usually an indication the makeup has expired.

• Powder products don’t typically expire as they’re just powder, without any water or oils to go off. If you’re using clean brushes and keeping your powders in a dry space, your powders will be longer-lasting.

This doesn’t mean you need to throw away all your expired products immediately. If it looks and smells fine, and you’re still using it—then it’s fine to give the product a home in your makeup bag. If it’s expired and you won’t use it, or if it’s gone off, then it’s time to put it in the bin. For any makeup that’s still in date, not expired and in good condition, but you know that you won’t use—consider cleaning this with a makeup sanitising spray and donating.

Let us know over on Instagram if you brave the big cosmetics declutter!