STOP!
Yes, that's what I said!
And, now I will tell you why!
Product longevity is important to the user, you want your products to last a long as possible.
Each product has what is called a 'Shelf Life', and this varies from product to product.
The 'Shelf Life' of a skin care product usually lasts for around two years (but you will need to check with the product manufacturer for clarification), but this is the life of the product prior to it being unsealed. When you open it, the product could last between 1 month up to a year.
Once the product gets used then the product will 'age' much quicker, especially if the product is in a jar, such as a cream-based product, a balm, a moisturiser, an eye cream, or gel, etc. This type of packaging is more prone to product contamination, which reduces the product's lifespan.
Think about how you use your product that's in a jar.
Now, be truthful!
Do you dip your fingers straight into the jar?
Or, do you use the little plastic spatula that may have accompanied the product in its box?
If you use the spatula, do you clean it after each use?
Well, the way you use your product is important, and to help that product last the longest time possible, without being contaminated, and becoming rancid or off, there are ways to use it that you can carry out in your routine.
Once you put your fingers into a jar of cream you contaminate it with bacteria, your natural skin oils, dead skin cells, grime, etc., this helps the product to break down and become unstable, which will cause it to 'age'.
Bacteria loves to grow in the moist cream, especially if it is kept in a nice moist warm bathroom or near heat - bacteria's favourite place to live!
The product may change colour, smell or dry out over time, which indicates that you should have stopped using it quite a while ago, as you are now using a rancid, stale product - not good for your skin's health!
Many products these days come in airless pump styled containers that metre out the exact amount you should be using, such as serums, concentrates, eye creams or gels.
The products in airless-pump styled containers usually have less preservatives, as the contents are isolated from the air so is not so easily contaminated by dust, bacteria and oxygen (which can oxidise the product lessening its lifespan), but you must keep the pump nozzle clean, as it can contain dried out product that blocks the nozzle as it dries out and hardens.
When using a product from a bottle, some just have a push down pump and others either a spray top, open necked or have an inserted dosage dispenser. The open necked container is more prone to contamination than the other two, as it allows the air straight in, so putting the cap on directly after dispensing your product is a must.
Some products come in tubes. These are usually either aluminum or plastic. Metal tubes are best, as they do not draw in air once you have 'squeezed' out the product.
Plastic tubes suck in air, which allows bacteria and dust into the product, so reduces the product's lifespan.
Nowadays, there are more natural, organic, vegan and 'Indi' brands available to purchase with many being amazing and have gone through a rigorous product testing program to achieve the standards required, but others may be 'homemade'!
So, please be aware that not all of these products have lengthy lifespans, and may need to be used within a week/month or even need to be refrigerated - again please check with the manufacturer about the individual product lifespan when it is not obvious or they haven't explained it in their instructions.
So, when using skin care products, you need to:
- Use a clean spatula if dispensing from a jar;
- Clean the nozzles on pump dispensers;
- Regularly clean lids and caps that have become contaminated with product;
- Keep products in a cool, dark place;
- Check with the manufacturers' about the product's expected lifespan if it is not obvious on the packaging or container;
- Follow the manufacturers' instructions on how to use your product before using it!
Hopefully, if you follow these simple rules, it will enable you to get a good lifespan from your products, saving you money!
So, until next time ...
Keep safe and beautiful
Love
Shirley xx
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