Bathroom Clutter is More Than Just Messy—It's Bad for Your Skin! Here's What to Toss

by Eden Univer

The beginning of a brand-new year is the perfect time to give your bathroom cabinets, cupboards, and shower a once-over. Holding onto products and beauty tools past their prime is a recipe for more than just mess-once the due date's a distant memory, your beloved everyday essentials can become total bacteria traps. And maybe let's not spread acne-causing grossness all over our skin, what do you say? To help, we've put together your quintessential checklist for clean-out season. Here's what should be in your crosshairs:

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Loofahs and body sponges
Even though you're putting soap on these regularly, that doesn't mean they're sparkling clean after each wash. In fact, the steamy conditions in your shower are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Infections and bacne abound! So change out loofahs every month, and toss mesh body sponges after eight weeks. In the meantime, let your puff dry completely between showers, even if that means hanging it on a hook in your bathroom instead of directly in the shower.

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Cleansers and moisturizers
After these are opened, they last about six months. That shouldn't be too much of a problem, unless you're rotating between a few. So open one up and use it until it's gone to get the freshest formula possible.

Acne treatments
These guys can last longer than general lotions, creams, and cleansers if they contain acids (which they usually do). But after a year they may begin to lose their potency, and that's no good when you're counting on them to be powerful breakout fighters. If you have any hanging around from the beginning of 2013, it's time to toss them and grab some fresh tubes.

Razor blades
This is slightly dependent on how often you shave and how great a job you're doing of taking care of your blades. If you're not shaving very much and you allow your razor to dry completely after each shower, one can usually last a little over a month. But if it starts to feel dull, quickly throw it away. Shaving with a less-than-stellar blade can easily lead to cuts. Ouch!

Eye creams
These are generally good for about three months from the first application, but if yours comes in a pot that you apply with your fingers, make sure your hands are super clean so you're not contaminating the cream. Also, popping it inside the fridge can extend its shelf life, and (bonus!) a slight chill feels amazing on tired eyes.

Toothbrushes
This is an important one because your mouth is grimy. Sorry, but it's true! These tools can harbor a whole host of bacteria, so even if the bristles aren't frayed and it doesn't look bad, toss the brush (or change the head) after three months.

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