Creating a healthy home environment involves more than just the food we eat and the non-toxic cleaning products we use in our home. Health extends to the products we put on our skin and in our bodies too.
First place to begin is the bathroom cabinet.
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No problem! Here’s a quick recap of the life of cosmetic items that should be purged if they’ve been lurking in your cabinets or drawers for too long.
Begin the toss with the obvious items. For example, medications and products that are expired, makeup that is gunky and essentially unusable, or an overabundance of travel sized products that you couldn’t ever use (donate to a shelter).
Organize your items by category and contain them appropriately. For prescription medications, make sure they’re out of the reach of children!
When you go through your items, consider putting a handful of travel-sized items in a basket or zipped pouch for guests.
Here’s a list of the most common items you can toss
Bar soap: 18 months to 3 years
Bath gel, body wash: 3 years
Bath oil: 1 year
Body lotion: 3 years
Conditioner: 2 to 3 years
Deodorant, opened: 1 to 2 years
Deodorant, unopened: 2 years
Eye cream, opened: 1 year
Eye cream, unopened: 3 years
Face lotion: 3 years
Foundation, oil-based: 2 years
Foundation, water-based: 3 years
Hair gel: 2 to 3 years
Hairspray: 2 to 3 years
Lip balm, opened: 1 year
Lip balm, unopened: 5 years
Lipstick: 2 years
Mascara, opened: 3 to 4 months
Mascara, unopened: 2 years
Moist wipes: 2 years
Mouthwash: 3 years from the manufacturer’s date
Nail polish: 1 year
Perfume: 1 to 2 years
Rubbing alcohol: 3 years
Shampoo: 2 to 3 years
Shaving cream: 2 years plus
Tooth-whitening strips: 1 year
What’s the oldest item you’ve found in the stash under your sink?