Many of us have medicine cabinets, purse pockets, bathroom drawers, and vanity tables full of products we bought who knows when. I think sometimes we form an attachment to something and decide it’s so beautiful that we just want to stare at it, rather than actually use it. I’ve sadly done this with a few gorgeous lipsticks and watched them to the point of souring!

Most skincare and makeup products have a tiny box on the bottom of the packaging which states a PAO (period after opening) number, for example 6M, for the number of months it is good for use. That day starts on the day you begin using the product and it hits the air, so to speak. Ideally, we should use our products within the given time stated for optimal performance. Bacteria and even mold may start to grow in products that are simply past their usage date, and that can cause skin breakouts, rashes, and other unnecessary reactions.

Some products may not have a PAO number, but some tell-tale signs that the product expired are if the color looks different, scent has changed and smells sour or rancid, or if the formula looks like it has separated or changed texture in some way. Pencils can go dry, body lotion can look oily rather than whipped, and mascara will start to flake or itch.

One way to prevent over-buying beauty products is to pay attention to how many things you actually finish in a given amount of time. I have friends and family who have kept sentimental beauty products, like a lipstick from their wedding day, but my advice would be to just re-purchase it if possible, rather than risk a reaction. Once you begin to toss the old products, your beauty collection will be edited to what you actually use. Building a signature makeup and skincare routine that you love always begins with less, not more. I always keep a note in my phone of favorite products I want to re-purchase when the budget allows.

Here is a little guide you can use to go through your beauty products.

MAKEUP

• Powder products like blush, bronzer, and eyeshadow: 2 years

• Mascara or brow gel: 3-6 months

• Lipstick and cream cheek products: 2 years

• Lip glosses and balms: 1 year

• Liquid foundation or concealer: 1 year

• Cream foundation or concealer: 2 years

• Pencils for eyes or brows: 1 year

SKINCARE

Skincare products we usually consume much faster than makeup, however, it is a best practice to use a permanent marker to write on the bottom when you started a product, especially one that you don’t use every day like a mask or exfoliation treatment. For the most part, skincare products usually have a PAO number that is hard and fast, so I would stick to those as much as you can! Cleansers and moisturizers are usually used up in a few months time, so there is less chance of spoiling. You’'ll need to keep an eye on those treatment type products and you should be in the clear!