Ever pulled out a serum to find it’s turned a funky shade? Or gone to use a moisturiser only to find its normal smell has been replaced by something a bit more... pungent? We’ve all been there. The season of decluttering is well underway and with it, the reminder that we should be giving our skincare routines the same treatment.
The last year has seen skincare loyalists split off into two paths. For some, skincare cocktailing replaced actual cocktailing with a science-driven focus on ingredients and efficacy, whilst others moved towards the less is more 'skinimalism' approach. Either way, it seems we all want to be getting the most out of our skincare routines while minimising waste (and storage space).
Sound like a challenge? Read on for our expert-driven guide to spring cleaning your skincare routine...
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Get Recycle Ready
Before tackling a clear out, make sure you've got all the right tools at hand and familiarise yourself with your local recycling guidelines and what materials can and can't be recycled. Lots of brands have their own recycling schemes so check ahead to make the process easier on you and the planet.
If you come across any unopened products, consider donating to those struggling with hygiene poverty. 'Beauty Banks is the skincare equivalent to food banks and you can post unwanted products or drop off at one of their collect points,' says professional organiser Kate Ibbotson.
Cleansing Your Stash
While the term spring cleaning denotes an annual approach to decluttering your skincare, the experts recommend upping the anti. 'Spring clean your skincare every six months at least, giving shelving and containers a good dust off and also reminding yourself what you have,' says author and professional organiser Vicky Silverthorn.
One of the first things you want to look for is out of date products. If you're not sure when you bought something, there are telltale signs to look for; 'They can start to smell slightly off, change colour or oxidise, grow a film or the oils can separate,' says skin expert and founder of SKNDOCTOR Dr Ewoma Ukeleghe.
If in doubt it's best to err on the side of caution, as skincare is especially prone to harbouring unwanted germs and bacteria (that's a polite reminder to stop putting your pipette on your face).
Then you want to set yourself some ground rules for what stays and what goes. 'Put aside an hour or so and do a methodical assessment of all your skincare products. Gather them into categories so you can compare like with like and go through each category in turn,' says Ibbotson.
'Ask yourself whether it suits your skin and how likely you are to use it again. Be honest with yourself and your lifestyle.'
Organisation
Deciding what makes the cut is the first step, but keeping products organised post-clear out is important to ensure your next clear out isn't such an egregious task.
'Cupboards should ideally be ordered like a shop with new items being placed at the back or in a specifically designated spares basket,' says Silverthorn.
'For simplicity, it makes sense to keep all everyday skin products together, laid out on a tray or in a box or bag,' adds Ibbotson. 'When organising think in categories. Store skincare products together by type i.e. moisturisers, serums, SPF, wipes, masks, exfoliators etc.'
'A good option to keep things tidy is transparent, acrylic storage organisers but the main challenge is making sure the storage space is big enough for all your products.'
The same goes for skincare tools; store them upright in a container and clean them after every use to avoid contamination. Cotton pads and buds can also free up a lot of space by being kept in separate storage (repurposed Diptyque candle jars anyone?)
ELLE Edit: The Best Skincare Storage
Putting Your Best Foot Forward
If you're being really good to your future self, the easiest way to minimise your 2022 spring clean is to re-evaluate your buying habits.
'The first step in decluttering is always to look at what's being acquired and putting in boundaries, such as no impulse buying, the "one in one out" rule or using up your products,' says Ibbotson. 'If you think you've built up an excess of skincare products, consider the reasons why.'
Do you tend to buy products as a 'pick me up'? Are you a serial offender at buying new skincare before you've used up your current one? Identifying where you're buying in excess and therefore not using products will save a lot of time and money.
Starting Over
It might be that you find the products you're currently using aren't working for you, or you want to start afresh, in which case Dr Ewoma suggests keeping it simple but effective. To start off with, she recommends a gentle cleanser, followed by a good treatment serum and moisturiser, and of course an SPF.
'An ingredient which gets on well with pretty much every skin type is hyaluronic acid, it’s the ultimate hydrating molecule and leaves even the most sensitive of skin plumped and hydrated,' says Dr Ewoma.
'For blemish-prone skin types, niacinamide is about to become your best friend - it supports your skin's barrier, reduces congestion by balancing oil production and evens skin texture.'
Don't Overdo It
Too many active products can lead to a compromised skin barrier so giving your skin a chance to adjust to the new routine is important (effects can be seen between 4 and 12 weeks depending on the product). According to expert aesthetic physician and medical consultant Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme, over exfoliation is a common mistake.
'Exfoliating can be a great addition to a routine but over exfoliating can lead to breakouts, sensitivity and irritation,' she says. 'Keep exfoliation to a few times a week rather than twice daily.' If you're unsure in what direction to go, consulting a dermatologist is a worthwhile investment.
And finally, don't be afraid to swap out products when faced with the two extremes of summer and winter. 'Your skin’s needs will change as the seasons change,' advises Dr Ejikeme. 'In spring you may want to move to a lighter lotion over a cream moisturiser or review your cleanser.'
ELLE Edit: Best Hyaluronic Acid Skincare Products
Find us another SPF that cools, hydrates, protects as well as La Roche-Posay's and we'll eat our hat. The refreshing light blue gel formula is packed with hyaluronic acid to moisturise skin whilst shielding from sun damage. The best bit? You won't find any chalky white colour payoff here.
SkinCeutical's oil-free hyaluronic acid serum is no nonsense when it comes to hydrating your skin. Ideal for acne-prone skin (which also needs hydrating just FYI), this is the HA serum for all skin types. Apply on its own to clean skin or add a few drops to your moisturiser to boost hydration.
Vichy Liftactiv H.A Epidermic Filler Smoothing 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum
If needles aren't your thing, then Vichy's 'filler' hyaluronic acid serum is the one for you. Formulated to plump skin from within, this ultra-hydrating treatment will leave your face feeling super juicy.
The key ingredient for plumping your skin, Glow Recipe's pleasingly pink hyaluronic acid serum is named for good reason. Boasting no less than five different weights of HA to penetrate your skin at multiple levels, this ultra lightweight serum will leave your face feeling firmer and bouncier.
Dedicated to vegan skincare that actually works, Youth To The People's hyaluronic acid moisturiser combines superfoods kale and spinach with hyaluronic acid to make a refreshing whipped gel cream that sinks into skin in seconds. The best bit? The packaging is totally recyclable so you can be as nice to the planet as you are to your skin.
This fragrance-free hyaluronic and vitamin B5 packed serum not only replenishes skins hydration levels but keeps it locked in thanks to the presence of 3 different ceramides.
Those in search of a big hyaluronic hit will fall in love with Mario Badescu's eye cream which has a huge cult following.
Any skincare that promises to soothe and calm our skin whilst delivering a refreshing hit of hydration is alright by us. Paint this jelly mask onto clean skin and let the hyaluronic acid work its magic.
This delightful sounding bubbling mask is like an actual cloud of hydration for your skin. Apply onto clean skin, enjoy the fluffy bubbles, then rinse off after 15 minutes to reveal newly moisturised skin.
Veering into the more expensive end of the scale, this hyaluronic acid serum from skincare expert Dr. Barbara Sturm is more than worth the investment. Packed full of long and short chain hyaluronic acid molecules, a few drops of this on clean skin everyday and you can wave that parched complexion goodbye.
Beauty obsessives rarely leave The Ordinary without stockpiling the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. Instead of drawing water out of the skin for temporary surface hydration, it boasts three forms of hyaluronic acid in varying molecular weights which reach the cells at deeper levels. The pocket-friendly price-tag is the icing on the cake.
This clear liquid may look pretty humble but the targeted formula boasts a powerhouse of ingredients, including moisture magnet hyaluronic acid, to restore hydration to even the most parched of skin cells. Ditch the thick body lotion - this takes mere seconds to absorb so you can get dressed straight away.
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