Beauty Spring Cleaning Checklist + Info

So I’m actually not too big into “spring cleaning.” It’s not that I don’t clean (I mean – nobody should hire me or anything), but I work on it throughout the year as opposed to a big endeavor. I’m really pretty good about cleaning out my closet. I keep a bag for giveaway in my closet and then when it’s full or we have some bigger things, we take it to donate. Beyond deep cleaning our home, however, there are some other things that need some deep cleaning and purging – like a beauty spring cleaning!

Beauty Spring Cleaning Tips + List

Did you know that skincare and makeup products have expiration dates? Yep. They aren’t supposed to last forever. Some things (I’m looking at you, mascara) tell you when they’re done by either drying out or irritating your skin/eyes. Other things, however, don’t. So how can you tell when it’s time to clean out your makeup and beauty products?

Makeup Expiration Dates

On the back and/or exterior packaging of beauty products is a little symbol of a jar with a 3M, 6M, 12M, etc. That symbol tells you how long the product is good once it’s been opened. So 3M means 3 months, 6M is 6 months, etc. – you get it! I’ve circled the expiration dates in the photo below for you to see. It’s important to note that this isn’t from the buy date but just when you open it.

What if I forget when I opened it?

Then you’re not alone. When you open up a new makeup or skincare product, take a marker and note the month/year on the bottom of the bottle. If it’s a dark bottom, then just put a sticker or piece of masking tape to write on there. Then you won’t forget when you opened it!

General guidelines for replacing Makeup + Skincare?

So not every item has this helpful expiration date situation. Real Simple has a quick guide to about how long a product should be on your shelf for everything that doesn’t!

Checklist for Beauty Spring Cleaning

Ok. So the best part about this beauty spring cleaning checklist is that it shouldn’t take you forever to complete! Pull everything out of your vanity OR your drawers (I’d recommend doing one at a time so it isn’t overwhelming). Wipe down the shelf or drawer. Then put away anything you use EVERY DAY. Not things you wish you used everyday. Not things you should use everyday. I mean the items you actually open and use every day.

Then look through what’s left. Start your “no” pile with items you don’t use anymore and from there check the expiration labels.

How to get rid of makeup + skincare containers responsibly!

You’ll never guess, but just throwing these half-used containers into the trash isn’t the best way to get rid of them. Unfortunately there’s no single way to get rid of everything.

SELF has a guide to recycling makeup containers. You absolutely want to empty and rinse out the containers if at all possible (here’s a great video on how to clean out beauty containers). You can put all the unused product in a bag or sealable container to take to the disposal. Nordstrom also has a BeautyCycle program where you take clean, empties to their stores for collection!

Past that, it depends on the containers and what to do with them. There are companies out there who have recycle programs, so those are always a great place to start. Even if you can’t figure out what to do with everything, each one container you reuse or recycle is better than none!!