We all love to have options when it comes to skincare, makeup, and hair care. Choosing a lipstick to match our outfit is the best part of our morning. However, every now and then it's important to sort through all that we've accumulated and get rid of what's old and no longer being used.
The shelf life of a product begins when it's opened and exposed to oxygen. How long it lasts once it's open depends on the ingredients inside and the type of product it is. Since water is needed for bacteria to grow, waterless formulas like face oils tend to have a longer shelf life than water based products.
However, natural products do not use harsh chemical preservatives like parabens in their formulations. Because of this, they tend to have a shorter shelf life than their conventional counterparts.
See below for our guide on shelf life and after how long we recommend replacing a product.
Look for these half open jars on your product as an easy indicator of shelf life.
These indicate how many months the product stays fresh after being opened.
Tools are another topic often overlooked. If you're using a tool like a micro roller be sure to clean it after each use by submerging the roller head in a cup of boiled water or rubbing alcohol for 5 minutes. Be sure to clean your makeup brushes once a week with a gentle sulfate-free shampoo. If you're using a jade roller wipe it down with a cloth after use, and if product builds up, clean it with a gentle hand soap.
