Beauty and personal hygiene items you need to throw out & some to add

It depends on how thick the hair you are shaving is as well as how big of an area, but a good rule of thumb is to replace your razor blades every five to seven shaves. Some razor blades will tell you on their packaging how often they need to be replaced. Using old, dull, or damaged razor blades can lead to razor burn, irritation, nicks, and ingrown hairs.

If you are using a natural loofah or sponge, it needs to be replaced every three to four weeks as they can grow mold. If you are using a plastic shower pouf, it can last about two months. If you don’t replace these items often enough, you could be exposing your skin to harmful bacteria that can lead to rashes or even an infection.

Depending on how often you use a pumice stone, you should be replacing it every two to three months. If you notice your pumice stone has worn down so much that it is now smooth, get rid of it. Same thing if it smells bad. Pumice stones can become a breeding ground for bacteria if you keep them for too long.

Don’t save those bath bombs—use them up because they do not last forever. This is especially true if they have natural ingredients in them, like flower petals or oatmeal, which can go bad. Oils and butters in bath bombs can turn rancid. If you notice a change in color, texture, or scent, then it’s best to toss.

Replace the following items whenever the seasons change so that you start every season fresh:

• Mascara
• Liquid eyeliner
• Beauty sponge
• Toothbrushes

I know it sucks to have to get rid of some of these things after such a short time, especially if you haven’t used them up. Just do it, though. These products come into close contact with very delicate parts of your body.

Most of us probably use up our deodorant within a year. But if you have any that’s sitting around for whatever reason, it’s good to know that it’s not worth keeping after 12 months. Not only will it not be effective, it could irritate your skin.

The FDA does not require expiration dates on moisturizers or lotions, but keep in mind that preservatives don’t last forever. Once you open the product, it’s best to use it within 12 to 24 months. Remember that if it starts smelling off or changes color, it’s time to dump it.

Your toothpaste should have an expiration date on it. It’s important to pay attention to when it expires, especially if it has fluoride. Fluoride breaks down over time, and so does its ability to fight cavities and strengthen tooth enamel.

Natural or handmade soaps expire sooner, so should be used within a year. How can you tell if soap has expired? If it doesn’t lather anymore, is all dry and cracked, smells off, or is growing mold on it, then it’s time to replace it.

Once you open it, it’s good for about six months to a year. If you use sunscreen after it has expired, the ingredients may no longer be able to offer you the promised protection on the label.

You want to look out for any signs of wear or rust. If the blades no longer line up or if you have to use a lot of force to cut your nails, it’s time to buy new set. Dull or damaged nail clippers can lead to cuts. Dirty or rusty nail clippers can expose you to bacteria and fungus. Make sure you are regularly cleaning and sanitizing them as well.

Once opened, you should use shampoos and conditioners within a year. You can check the product’s bottle for what is called the period-after-opening symbol. It looks like a jar with an open lid and will have a symbol that lets you know how soon after opening you have to use up the product. A symbol that says “12M” means you should use the product within 12 months of opening.

Keep a permanent marker in the bathroom and wherever you have beauty and personal hygiene items so you can use it to mark them with the date of when you start using them. You don’t need to do this with everything, as some items you know you’ll definitely use up in time. But mark the your makeup or any items that you are storing and take longer to use up.

If you find it hard to throw things out because it feels wasteful, I get it. I feel the same way. But keep in mind that you are throwing out things that are no longer truly safe to use. You are throwing out what is essentially now garbage. As for the packaging, recycle whatever you can. Dump fluids and contents into the garbage and recycle any containers that can be recycled.

*Psst: If you purchase an item on this list, MamásLatinas may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.*