Skincare Products You Should (and Shouldn't) Stock Up On
by Emily Linehan on November 9, 2022
When products you love go on sale it’s easy to want to run and buy them in bulk. Not only so you don’t run the risk of running out, but stocking up on certain products during a sale can save some money. While many skincare products have a shelf life of 12 to 24 months, it makes sense to stock up and save on those favorites. However, some products have shorter shelf lives, so even though you could stock up during a sale that doesn’t necessarily mean you should.
If you’re looking to take advantage of our Gratitude Sale (happening now!), here are some products that will save you money to buy in bulk, and others that won’t.
Products to Skip Stocking Up On
Although these may be some of your most beloved products, less is more when it comes to buying in bulk. Since some of these products have a shorter shelf life, buying only as much as you need will not only help ensure maximum efficacy but also protects your skin as some active ingredients can be irritating or even damaging when used past their expiration date.
#EmmeTip: Although not necessary, storing some of these products, like Pro-Retinol, Enlightened Serum, or your vitamin-c serum in a fridge may help prolong their life.
Retinol
Most skincare products typically lose potency as they age, however, Retinols get stronger. That being said, I always recommend that you use a fresh bottle of any Retinol product and never stock up on these.
Vitamin C
The antioxidant benefits of Vitamin C make it an amazing ingredient to have in your skincare routine! However, Vitamin C is naturally unstable and products containing it do become less potent and effective over time. When it comes in contact with oxygen it can begin to oxidize, which can lead to the formula changing to a darker orange or even brown color. To prevent oxidization we use some of the most stable forms of Vitamin C as well as airless pump bottles at Emme Diane, however we recommend using a fresh bottle to ensure you get the maximum benefit.
“But I really want to stock up on Retinol or Vitamin-C...”
We get it! We love these products (and savings) too! Our Pro-Retinol and Brilliant-C Serums have a shelf life of up to 24 months (unopened), but they will begin to slowly break down over time. So, while they are still safe to use, we recommend a fresh bottle simply for maximum potency. Think of it like milk or eggs that are approaching their expiration date. While they are still perfectly fine to use, a fresh container is probably going to taste better or have more nutrients. If you do decide to stock up, just be sure that only one bottle is opened at a time!
Products to Stock Up On
As a general rule of thumb, most skincare products have a shelf life of approximately 1 year when opened, or 2 years unopened. That being said, we recommend that you only open one product at a time if you’re planning on stocking up to ensure maximum shelf life. In addition, be sure to properly store all of your skincare products in a cool, dry place and avoid direct sunlight.
Moisturizers & Humectants
Stocking up on your moisturizers and humectants is not only safe but can definitely help save you money when grabbed during a sale. Since they are staple’s in your skincare routine, and since our moisturizers are designed for both morning and evening use, you’ll go through these products much quicker. That means if you were to buy a few extra bottles you know they won’t go to waste.
Recommended Stock: If you stock up on 3 of your favorite moisturizers or humectants, you will likely use them up within 6-9 months and won’t run a risk of the product expiring before then!
Cleansers & Toners
Similar to moisturizers, stocking up on cleansers and toners can be a great idea. Again, these products are designed for both AM and PM use, which means you’re going to run through these faster than some of the other products in your routine, especially if you’re double cleansing (as you should) each night!
Recommended Stock: Keeping one bottle of cleanser in your shower and one on your bathroom counter makes it easy and painless to get your skincare routine done regardless of where you are. That being said, you can keep 2 open bottles of cleanser at a time, then have an additional 1-2 unopened bottles on hand for when you run out without running the risk of the products expiring.
Sunscreen
Of course you’re aware of the importance of wearing sunscreen every day, so this is definitely a product you don’t want to run out of. Our sunscreens have a shelf life of about 1 year, so you’ll want to ensure that you don’t buy more than you can use in that time frame as the UV blocking power can decline when an SPF passes it’s expiration date.
Recommended Stock: If you’re using the correct amount and reapplying as necessary, one bottle should last you about 2-3 months. It’s also a great idea to keep an extra bottle of sunscreen in your purse or gym bag to ensure you’re able to properly reapply on the go. That being said, we recommended purchasing no more than 2 SPFs at most to ensure you don’t use an expired bottle.
Ready, Set, Save!
Our Gratitude Sale is happening now, so it’s the perfect time to stock up on some of your favorite products, but before adding any products to your cart, I recommend taking inventory of everything you currently have. Start by checking your expiration dates and throwing away any products that are passed their prime. 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 also a good time for you to get rid of any products that may be within its shelf life but includes pore clogging ingredients - to help with this, be sure to view my list of Pore Clogging Ingredients.
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 might need a little more attention. For example, if you aren’t already, exfoliating on a regular basis is a great way to help achieve the results you’re looking for. So, you might want to incorporate a gentle exfoliant like Skin Smoothing Polish in to your routine.
An eye treatment is another great option to give your skincare routine a boost. 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 give you a more rested and youthful appearance.
As the seasons change you may also want to give your skin a little extra love by incorporating face masks into your routine - which can also be a great way to decompress from holiday stress as well! 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 harsh winter days ahead, the Cucumber Cooling Mask is perfect for giving your skin an extra boost of hydration! Bonus: The Mini Mask Trio makes the perfect gift for someone you love (or as a treat for yourself), and comes with my guide to Multi-Masking!
These are just a few ideas to get you started, but for recommendations that are personalized for you, be sure to start with our free online consultation, or complete a check-in if you’re an existing client so we can touch base!
xoxo, Emme
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