in Lifestyle

15 Do’s And Don’ts Of Beauty Products

Beauty products are a significant part of our lives. Generally, women use more beauty products than men, but both genders need to know some basics when it comes to keeping these products in good shape. And don’t feel bad if, after reading this list, you may find that you are making mistakes. We’ve all been in the situation where our make-up got a bit funky, but we loved that eyeshadow so much, we used it for a few more months.

15 Do’s And Don’ts Of Beauty Products

Keep in mind that beauty products that have gone bad can cause many problems such as skin and eye infections, irritations, rashes, blemishes… Pay good attention and take notes!

1. Store your beauty products in a cabinet or drawer.

Many beauty products are sensitive to light, and they could change their texture due to light and high temperatures. Generally, all beauty products should be kept in dry and cool places. Cabinets and drawers in bathroom are therefore a great option because this way you keep your beauty products in a safe place. Also, this way, you are not risking getting your make-up wet.

2. Don’t buy beauty products that are packaged in any kind of jars.

This may come as a shock since we are all used to buying and using products packaged in jars, but the truth is jar packaging carry a lot of risk of bacterial contamination. It’s pretty logical, when you think about it- you stick your fingers or other objects in these jars, and that’s enough for bacteria to have a party in your expensive eye cream.

3. Do wash your hands before using any of your beauty products!

Doctors always talk about the importance of washing your hands frequently throughout the day. We are exposed to viruses and bacteria on a daily basis, and sometimes we are not aware of all the risks that not washing your hands carries. If you use beauty products without washing your hands first, you will, without any doubt, contaminate them.

4. Don’t store your beauty products in the refrigerator.

Contrary to some beliefs, you are not keeping your make-up fresh if you keep it in the fridge. Skincare formulas are made to withstand some variations in temperature, but if you keep them in too hot or too cold places for too long, you will ruin them. And by ruin, we mean- you will reduce their lifespan and stability…

5. Do tighten the cap on your beauty products after each use.

You have to understand that when you buy a product and open it for the first time, air and bacteria that come in can impact its quality and lifespan. Of course, you cannot not open your product at all (because it would be a shame), but you can try to preserve it by securing the cap. The fewer bacteria that comes in-the less chance of contamination there is.

6. Don’t store your beauty products in direct sunlight!

Remember how we told you not to put them in the refrigerator? That’s because beauty products need cool and dry places to keep their quality at the same level. But if you put them in a place that is too cool or too hot, you are risking to ruin them for good. So forget about keeping your lipsticks and body lotions on a sunny windowsill because that is not the right place for them.

7. Do think about how much humidity affects your product’s shelf life.

So we agreed on not keeping our products in the oven or in the refrigerator. But if your cabinet is too small, and you use certain beauty products multiple times a day, you could reduce their lifespan. Humidity is bad for all beauty products, and it affects their quality and shelf life big time. Therefore, try to find a dry and cool space if you live in a climate with high humidity.

8. Don’t share your beauty products with others.

We know it might be hard sometimes, especially if you’re a woman. Women are used to sharing clothes and make-up with their friends, but it seems like they are not aware of the risks that kind of behavior brings. You may think your friends are clean and disease-free, but they also have bacteria on their skin. And bacteria from their skin might not be good for your skin.

9. Do write the date of purchase with a Sharpie on your beauty products.

You can rely on your PAO date (Period After Opening date) that can be spotted on any skincare product. However, have in mind that PAO date is not 100 % sure. That’s why you should always write down the date of purchase on the bottom or back of the package, and you will not risk getting infected because PAO wasn’t right.

10. Don’t add water to your beauty products.

If a beauty product is too dry or its texture has changed from the first time you opened it, it has probably gone bad. However, once your skincare product “dies”, there is no way you can bring it back. You can’t add water  in order to bring the moisture back. If you do this, you will only make the things worse, and you are risking to get infected.

11. Do toss out eye products if you experienced any kind of problems after using them.

If you had an eye infection after using certain eye products, that means that they contain ingredients which cause irritations in your eyes. This doesn’t have to be serious, however, you should throw those products away in order to stop any further complications. And don’t think that expensive make up cannot cause infections, because it can!

12. Don’t pump your mascara!

Women often pump their mascara wands because they don’t realize that by doing this, they are ruining the quality of mascara. By moving the brush in and out, you are forcing air deeper into the tube. In these cases, if bacteria from your eyes enters mascara, the air will only help germs multiply. Also, air is causing mascara to dry out faster, and therefore it shortens its lifespan.

13. Do abide by the expiration dates on beauty products.

We know it’s hard to toss a beauty product you haven’t used up yet, but have in mind that your health is the most important thing. You should especially be cautious when it comes to lifespan of sunscreens, acne products and prescription medications such as Renova or Retin-A. Also, take good care of expiration dates when it comes to topical antibiotics.

14. Don’t forget to clean the lid of your beauty product in case it fell on the floor.

Floor is always one of the dirtiest surfaces at home. We bring in bacteria from the outside, and the “five seconds rule” is not a real thing. So use soap and water and wash that lid that fell. You can also use rubbing alcohol to sanitize the lid or cap you dropped. Just don’t forget to dry it throughly before you put it back.

15. Do wash your make-up accessories.

Your brushes and sponges are bacteria’s favorite place. If you don’t wash them, you can have serious problems with your skin, from acne to bad skin irritations. Also, by using dirty brushes and sponges, you are contaminating your beauty products. Have in mind that germs multiply quickly and by not cleaning make-up tools you are helping them a lot.