5 Steps to Spring Clean Your Skincare

1. Audit Your Collection

The first step to spring cleaning your skincare routine is to take inventory of everything you have. This means emptying your medicine cabinet, drawers, makeup bags or wherever else you might be storing products completely. Once everything is removed, line all your products up on a table or countertop so you can clearly evaluate what you have.

2. Declutter

The best place to begin when it comes to decluttering is to throw away any products that are passed their prime. Most skincare products have a shelf life of approximately 1 year when opened, or 2 years unopened. An exception to this rule is products containing Retinol. This is because Retinols get stronger as they age, while other products typically lose potency. I always recommend that you use a fresh bottle of any Retinol product and never stock up on these.

As a rule of thumb, here’s how long you can expect other products to last –

• Makeup Powders: 2 Years
• Sunscreen: 1 Year (or check the bottle for an expiration date)
• Liquid or Cream Foundations: 1 Year
• Lipstick & Lip Liner: 1 Year
• Mascara & Eyeliner: 3 Months

You can also visually inspect your products for any changes in color, consistency, or smell. If you notice any abnormalities, be sure to throw the product away. Now is a good time for you to also get rid of any products that may be within its shelf life but includes pore clogging ingredients. You can review my list of Pore Clogging Ingredients, as well as my Acne Safe Makeup list, to help you decide which products should make the cut.

3. Deep Clean

Now that you’ve cleaned up the product clutter it’s important to make sure something else is clean – your makeup brushes. Makeup brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria, so to be sure your skin remains clear they should be cleaned weekly. Now is a good time to get all of your makeup brushes, even the ones that you don’t use daily, and give them a good cleansing. The Emme Diane Foaming Cleanser works great at removing tough grime, but if you don’t have any on hand a small amount of Dawn Dish Soap works as well! Not only will keeping your brushes clean help your skin, but your brushes will actually last longer and your makeup will apply better too!

While all your products are removed, now is a good time to make sure that the cabinet, drawer, makeup bag or other area they are stored in is clean as well. Make sure any dirt or debris is removed prior to putting your products back.

4. Organize the Essentials

You’ve done most of the hard work, now you get to create a Pinterest worthy organization strategy. I recommend keeping your essentials together, and in an easy to reach place, to ensure that you don’t accidentally miss any steps of your skincare routine. If you’re a little tight on space in your medicine cabinet or drawers, I love the Stackers White Glass Cosmetics Organizer. I used to use trays but switched to this organizer to keep my products from tipping over! Not only is it pretty enough to proudly showcase directly on your countertop, but it also keeps your entire routine together and serves as a gentle reminder to make sure you get your skincare routine done.

5. Fill In the Gaps

Now that you have a good idea of what you have, you probably also have an idea of where some holes might be in your skincare routine. Start by making sure you restock any essential products you may be running low on, such as cleanser, toner, moisturizer, etc. Then, you may want to fill in any holes where your skin may need a little more attention. To start, ask yourself how often you’re exfoliating. Exfoliating on a regular basis is a great way to help achieve the results you’re looking for, so you might want to incorporate Skin Smoothing Polish into your routine.

If your under eye concealer is a product that didn’t make it through spring cleaning, try incorporating an eye treatment into your routine prior to replacing it. My Reviving Eye Treatment Set comes with two powerful eye treatments: Bright Eyed Illuminating Eye Serum and Hydra-Revive Eye Cream. This dynamic duo is great at diminishing dark circles, fine lines, and puffiness to leave you feeling confident without concealer.

As the seasons change you may also want to give your skin a little extra love by incorporating face masks into your routine. My Sulfur Refining Mask is great for deep cleaning the skin and pores and can be followed with the Pumpkin Enzyme Mask to leave your skin feeling fresh and glowing. For those warmer days ahead, the Cucumber Cooling Mask is perfect for giving your skin an extra boost of hydration! Looking for a way to really start the season off right? Try my favorite DIY at home mini facial.

Lastly, keeping a spot treatment like The Pink Potion on hand is a great way to make sure your spring outings aren’t ruined by an unexpected breakout. Simply apply it on top of active pimples or where you feel a breakout beneath the surface of the skin and The Pink Potion will rapidly clear it while you sleep.

If you’re unsure about how you may be able to level up your current skincare routine, or if you have any questions or concerns, be sure to complete a check-in so we can touch base. I’d be happy to provide additional advice or answer any questions you may have. Or, if you haven’t completed your initial consultation, I highly recommend you complete that so you can step into spring with a completely customized skincare routine!

xoxo, Emme