By Carla Oates
As we move into September, it’s time to say goodbye summer and hello autumn.
With the changing of the seasons comes the opportunity to take a step back and reset. If you’re feeling sluggish after a few months of overindulging, this could mean taking part in our 14-Day Cleanse Program. Whereas for your skin, now is a great time to reset your beauty cabinet.
Whether you’re a full-blown beauty aficionado or prefer to keep your skincare routine pretty streamlined, old and new products can start to overwhelm your bathroom if you don’t make time for an audit.
Here’s how to do a thorough clean of your beauty cabinet in four steps…
Take Note Of What You Have
Before you cull anything, you need to know what you’re working with.
Take all of your skincare products (yes, all of them—including the ones tucked away at the back of the shelf) and place them on a bench.
Ask yourself: do you use all of these products regularly? Are there any items that are taking up space? If products haven’t been stored correctly, they can start to separate or develop a funny smell—are yours still in good nick?
If you’re on the fence about any of your skincare, now’s the time to dispose or donate.
Check The Expiration Dates
For all remaining products, flip over the bottle, jar or tub, and scan for the period after opening (POA) symbol. If you’re not familiar with this symbol, it looks like an open jar with a number followed by the letter "M" (i.e. 6M, 12M, 24M). This represents the amount of time a product is stable after it has been opened.
Get Ready To Recycle
By this point, you probably have a few products that you’re ready to let go of.
For a handful of reasons—such as product residue and complex packaging—beauty empties are challenging to recycle via your standard council pickup.
The good news is that thanks to TerraCycle, you can drop off your clean skincare empties at your nearest David Jones, MECCA or Nourished Life store.
Alternatively, you could consider upcycling your beauty bottles and tubs instead. For example: an empty GLOW™, CLARIFY, GUT PRIMER or DAILY SUPERGREENS container makes the perfect on-the-go breakfast vessel. Got an empty bottle of our Probiotic Skin Refiner? Remove the label and you’ve got yourself a cute vase.
Identify Any Gaps In Your Skincare Routine
Now it’s time to take note of the remaining skincare products and identify any gaps in your routine.
With the changing of the seasons, your skin’s needs might have changed too. Summer can sometimes be challenging our complexion, making it oily or irritated, courtesy of the heat.
But as we head into the cooler months, your skin might need a bit of extra TLC to help it navigate cold winds and harsher conditions, depending on where you live. Now is the time to reach for richer creams and oils, such as GLOW F.A.C.E.
The Beauty Chef Probiotic Skin Refiner is a lightweight, hard-working toner that exfoliates and hydrates skin, thanks to naturally bio-fermented lactic acid. It has a water-thin texture that sinks in easily. It's a must-have in any skincare routine.
If your routine needs something more nourishing, Flora Fix Balm is a deeply restorative blend of camellia and rosehip oil, vitamin E and bio-fermented coconut to intensely moisturise skin. Dab it on your lips, any dry bits, or around the eye area to smooth fine lines.
