COSMETICS STORAGE GUIDELINES

All cosmetics have a limited shelf life, so be sure to weed out expired items as part of your organizing routine. Going forward, do this exercise at least twice yearly, such as when transitioning from one season to the next. Monthly is even better.

ITEM	lasts	TOSS SOONER IF	Pro tip
Moisturizer: Face or Body	About 2 years in a pot; 2 to 3 years in a pump	You notice a change in the smell or consistency.	Moisturizers with a pump dispenser minimize bacteria and optimize shelf life. If your favorite comes in a pot, use a spatula instead of your fingers to apply. Also note: Organic and natural creams and lotions may last longer when kept in the refrigerator.
Liquid Foundation, BB Cream, Tinted Moisturizer	Up to 2 years	The color changes or separation occurs.	Even the bit of oxygen that seeps into foundation when you open and close it can cause the product to break down faster. Cap bottles tightly after use—or choose one with a pump dispenser.
Makeup Brush	Indefinitely with routine cleaning	The bristles start to snap or shed.	Swirl brush heads on a bar of facial soap to loosen debris. Then rinse the bristles thoroughly with warm water. Repeat these steps until the water runs clear. Let brushes dry overnight on a towel, making sure the heads hang over an edge to keep their shape intact.
Powder: Eye Shadow, Blush, Face Powder	Up to 2 years	It gets suspiciously crumbly or shiny (a sign that it has attracted moisture—a breeding ground for bacteria).	Apply eye shadow with your fingertips, tapping (not rubbing) over the lid—or use your foundation as eye shadow.
Mascara, Liquid Liner	3 to 4 months	You get an infection, such as pink eye, or it dries out (bacteria gets transferred easily from eyes into container via the brush).	Prevent under-eye smudging by applying clear brow gel over mascara after it dries—and use the brow gel to tame any flyaways around your face, too.
Lipstick, Lip Gloss, Lip Balm	1 year with wand, 2 years with direct or brush application	If you get a cold sore or any infection on or near your mouth, ditch all lip products and replace.	Glosses with application wands are prone to introducing bacteria into the tube. To keep it cleaner, swap the wand for a washable brush.
Eye and Lip Pencils	Up to 3 years, with sharpening	It becomes either unusually dry or melty.	Sharpen often to get rid of the part that touched your face, where bacteria lives.
Sunscreen, Sunblock	Up to 1 year	The expiration date on the tube or package has passed.	Sunscreens and sunblocks usually come stamped with a use-by date. But because their active ingredients break down over time, always toss them within a year of opening, to be on the safe side.
Nail Polish	Up to 2 years if opened (indefinitely if not)	It thickens and/or separates.	To thin the polish and make it last longer, add a few drops of nail-lacquer thinner.
Electronic Face Brush	Up to 3 months, for the brush head	The bristles becomes distressed and bent out of shape.	Dislodge particles from the brush head by rubbing it against a dry washcloth. Every few days, apply a non-soap wash to the device and turn it on to work in the cleanser. Then rinse it with warm water and let it air-dry.
Loofah	About 2 months; longer if not used very often	It begins to discolor.	Before sudsing up, run your sponge under hot water and rub body wash or soap into it. After bathing, rinse it well with hot water again and dry it outside the tub by hanging it on a hook or cabinet handle.
Hairbrush	Indefinitely	The bristles are bent or falling out.	Remove loose strands after each use by running another hairbrush through the bristles. (Or do as Martha does: Lift away mats with an orange stick.) To cut through dirt, deep-clean it every few weeks by soaking the brush in one part apple-cider vinegar to two parts warm water. Then rinse it with warm water for a few minutes and let it dry overnight.