Lifestyle
Good or out-of-date? Here's how to sort out your beauty products.
For some people, cosmetic products are a bit like clothes: we've got lots of them, but we don't all use them as much as we'd like. And yet... small jars and large bottles have a limited lifespan that should not be neglected, just like food! We'll help you make sense of it.
The golden rule
A changed texture or a smell that seems to have gone bad... If you notice either of these 2 points, it's best to throw it out!
The 2 symbols you need to know
The symbol of the open jar of cream
In the center or next to this symbol, you'll always find a number. It's usually a 6, 12 or 24. This corresponds to the maximum shelf-life (in months), after after opening. Don't panic, however, if you find you've used your product longer than this: it's mainly because, after this period, the brand is no longer committed to the product's efficacy and appearance.
The hourglass symbol
It's like buying food with a "strict" expiration date. It indicates the precise expiry date of your product before opening. So don't joke...
What if the symbols have disappeared?
It's not dramatic. Depending on the type of cosmetic product, shelf life is roughly equivalent. To get your bearings :
- Waterless products (eyeshadows, powders, pencils, lip balms...): between 3-4 years with no problem if stored in the dark and in a temperate zone.
- Nail polish Nail polish : 2 to 3 years (but you can store them in your fridge door to extend their life and avoid the famous threads and clumps).
- Moisturizers, serums, cleansers 6 to 12 months on average. Products in jars allow fewer variations than those in bottles or Airless tubes.
- Mascara, eyeliner, eye contour Eye contour: 5 to 6 months maximum. Yes, we're not kidding around with this area, which can react very quickly!
- Sun creams Sunscreens last for around 6 months. As the impact of UV rays on the skin is not to be underestimated, it's best not to re-use your cream for 2 consecutive years, as the protection factor decreases over time. This is also largely due to storage: at the beach, it's hard not to leave your tube lying around in the sun, or even in a bag in the sweltering heat....
- Just ask us! If the products come from us, we're bound to have the answer online, or in store.
What should I do with beauty products I no longer want?
If they've been opened for a long time, they're destined for the garbage can... Of course, don't forget to recycle. Our little tip? A face cream you no longer want will make a great body or hand moisturizer.
Finally, if they haven't been opened (apart from a donation to little sister or an online community market), you can donate them to a number of associations. At Oh My Cream, for example, we receive a huge number of products for referencing, but we only have one skin... So we systematically donate intact products to Un Petit Bagage d'Amouran association that helps mothers who are refugees or in precarious situations by donating clothes, products and so on. Why not think of them next time you sort?
Photo credits: © Lightology, © Modern
