Spring Clean Your Skincare

OK be honest, have a look up at your skincare shelf, or in the drawer, or even your glove compartment, and look at your products. Can you remember when you bought them?  Can you even remember the last time you used it? No? I am not judging, as the owner of a 3 year old chapstick, but it might be time to invest in some new skincare, and keep an eye on when that sunscreen was opened. 

Most skincare products should last for up to two years if unopened and stored somewhere cool away from direct sunlight, but once opened should be used within 6-12 months. This is especially important for sunscreen, as you don't want to be wearing something on your skin that is no longer potent. If you're packing the same tube that you took on your holiday last year, I would really reconsider. 

Use by labelling Most products come with PAO or Period After Opening information.  Look for a symbol which looks like a jar with a number inside and can usually be found on the back and near the bottom of your products.  6M will mean the product maker has  determined the product will stay fresh and potent up to six months after opening. 

Expiration dates Other products, like sunscreen, will often have an expiration date printed into the bottom or near the cap. This date is the period up until which a product can be guaranteed effective.

Sunscreen Whilst sunscreen is one of the few products regulated to have expiration dates, it’s important to remember that if you still have sunscreen leftover as you get closer to its expiration date, you probably aren't applying enough! A good tip is to add a pocket sized sunscreen to your collection, which can be reapplied on the go and will be less likely to go off. Have a look at our lovely minis collection for more. 

Packaging It's not just the sunscreens that will lose efficacy though; products that come in a jar are even more likely to age poorly, as the product comes into contact with oxygen over the course of its life, which is a breeding ground for bacteria. I would replace jar moisturisers after 6 months for this reason. Tube packaged moisturisers will last up to a year. This incredibly hydrating Laneige moisturiser comes with a spatula - please resist the urge to dip your fingers in!

Active ingredients Any product with an active ingredient will be less potent once it reaches its use by date. For example, Vitamin C, which is an antioxidant and appears in many serums. It is notoriously unstable though, and should be packaged in an opaque tube or bottle and used within 6 months. 

Water based products Unfortunately, bacteria loves to swim in a watery environment, so unless your products contain an exfoliating acid such as salicylic, again give these products 6-9 months. 

Oil based cleansers These will last longer as they mostly come in a pump bottle, which limits the product's contact with oxygen. You can replace these up to every 12 months. 

Balm Cleansers These mainly come in jars or tubs which are open to the air. I would give these up to 12 months but be sure to apply with a spatula rather than your fingers, to limit the chances of bacteria growth. Shop the cult favourite Heimish All Clean balm cleanser here.