When was the last time you checked the expiration date of your sunscreen? How about your favorite mascara? Like most things in life, beauty products don’t last forever, and as you are going through and sprucing up your home for new season, why not take the time and spring clean your cosmetics?

Here Are My Basic Guidelines:

1. PAY ATTENTION TO PAO DATE

PAO stands for Period After Opening. It looks like a picture of a jar with a number next to it. The letter M stands for months and the number for how many months the product is good after opening.

2. TRUST YOUR SENSES
 
Trust your own eyes and nose when it comes to any strange smelling or odd looking foundation, lipstick or really any cosmetic product for that matter. Throw away anything that has changed in color, smell or texture.
 
3. KNOW THE BASIC SHELF LIFE RULE
 
In addition to losing their effectiveness, some expired beauty products can cause irritation or other problems. Here are some of the more common products and their typical lifespans:
 
Moisturizer and eye cream: 6 months to a year
Cleanser: up to 1 year
Toner: 6 months to 1 year
Sunscreen: 6 months to a year
Creams and serums with antioxidants and retinoids: 2 to 9 months
Organic products: 4 to 6 months
 
Tip: Products in pump bottles tend to last longer
 
Mascara (regular or waterproof), liquid or gel eyeliners: 4 to 6 months
Cream, Liquid or Stick Foundations: 6 months to 1 year
Powder-based products (including mineral makeup): 2-3 years
Lipsticks, Lip Gloss, & Lip Pencils: 2-3 years
 
TIP: Don’t pump your mascara and do not add water to your cosmetics to make them last longer! Do sharpen your lip or eye pencils before each use to get rid of the bacteria.

4. STORE YOUR COSMETICS PROPERLY 
To make your favorite items last as long as possible, keep them away from humidity, heat, air and sunlight. The most common mistake is to keep your products “safe” in the bathroom medicine cabinet. That is so wrong! Products stored that close to the shower and in humidity tend to spoil sooner. I find that designating an area for a vanity is very exciting and storing your products in a vanity drawer is a MUST.
 
5. MAKE SPACE FOR THE NEW
 
We all share a tendency to collect too much make up or skin care. I definitely am guilty of this and belong in the second category. I find it gratifying to go through my possessions and find items my friends and family can benefit from, thus making space for much more needed or craved new item.
 
6. UPGRADE TO A SUMMER FORMULA
 
With hotter months upon us, it is beneficial to switch to a lighter product formula. I tend to swap my favorite Dermopurifiante for lighter Emulsion Biosensible S.R., and upgrade my SPF from Environ SPF25 to a Jan Marini SPF45.
 
7. DON’T SHARE YOUR PRODUCTS WITH OTHERS
 
We all know that sharing is caring but in order to avoid infections, it’s best to keep your beauty products to yourself.
 
The awakening of spring brings an awareness of a new season and I hope this article has inspired you to freshen up your beauty stash and move forward more confident and informed.
 
Your Esthetician,
 
Diana Yerkes

spring updates