Do you have loads and loads of products?

[chrisevans]

I seem to have gradually accumulated a fair few baskets of products, such as cleansers, toners, balms, oils, other body and skincare items. I really need a strategy to get through using all of these products and also prevent myself from continuing the build up.

Anyone else?

Yes I’ve absolutely loads of products, especially after buying the Cult Beauty advent calendar again this year.

I’ve put myself on a spending ban when it comes to any more skincare now, until I’ve used a lot of it up.

Part of the problem is I’m not entirely sure when and how often I should be using a lot of my skincare items, especially retinols and acids, and whether mixing certain products might cause an issue.

Yep. Way too much. I’m on a definite no buy.

I’ve semi sorted stuff into categories but it needs redoing. Will also sell some stuff I think.

Then need to be very disciplined about working through stuff.

Yes.

I just started a separate post about how I actually threw loads out tonight. I have some plastic drawers, nine of them, and I went through them and my box of palettes and threw loads out. I also went through a drawer I keep some toiletries in and threw a lot of those out.

It feels good.

I don't think I'll ever buy as much. I'm barely tempted now as I literally don't use loads of it. I wasn't v tempted to get an advent calendar for that reason.

I have put some of the unopened stuff on Vinted too and have made some money back which is nice.

Yes too many but I do derive great pleasure from my evening routines so I use stuff every day. Try not to leave opened containers too long! Particularly vit c which can oxidise.

My strategy is commit to stopping buying any more for 6 months, then sort current supply into two piles:

1. will probably use, even if infrequently
2. will probably not use, or only use once or twice

Give away the things in pile 2 if unopened, if opened then consider repurposing e.g. face moisturiser on legs. Anything else throw away and don’t feel guilty, as long as you don’t make the same mistake over and over.

Everything in pile 1 - just have a think about things you will use every day, once a week and once a month. Facilitate using them up by putting them in the place in the bathroom/bedroom where they’re handy to grab.

Yes. It's ridiculous how much stuff I have. I'm trying not to buy anymore and use it up but then I run out of my regular stuff and don't have a replacement and buy 3 instead of one !!!

I have a plan to organise mine the next couple of days. I've too much I've not tried.

Need to make things more visible so I can start giving things a try.

This thread just inspired me to go and sort my bathroom cupboards out. Lots of half used samples gone in the bin and everything organised so I can see what I have.

If people are throwing unopened products / sachets / samples out do consider food banks and hostels as they often want toiletries.

I don’t. I used to, then I realised how ridiculous I was being to buy so many different things. I got rid of almost all of it (lots of things, like fake tans and perfumes I was able to eBay) and now only use what I feel I strictly need and what suits my skin the most. I only ever use one moisturiser, I stopped using shower gel, got rid of loads of hair products and found I didn’t miss them.

It feels good. The best thing is, I never went back to my old ways and I can’t see myself wanting to.

A few years ago, I had a major clear out of all my products. I actually had to throw some of my fancy products away as I was saving them for special occasions and they had gone off.

It was such a waste. So, I had a clear out and got rid of anything off. Then I sorted the products by type (eg body lotion, soap etc) and stored them within easy reach. So, if I ran out of soap, I went to the cupboard where I normally keep the soap and took one out.

It took me about 2 years to get through everything, but it was only me using them as OH has sensitive skin and some of the products were too harsh for the children.

It was nice trying new products and finding out what I did and didn't like.

Yes. Loads. So much that I just had a bathroom cabinet re-org and found loads of Stuff I'd forgotten about . I seem to be particularly bad at buying fake tan and then forgetting about it.

I'm on a beauty shopping ban now for the foreseeable future. At the very least I need to clear some space.

I'm using up all the best and most expensive products first and making sure I actually use fancy face masks.

Any moisturisers I don't like I use as hand or body cream

I also give a lot to DD and give items to friends when they're over if I think it'll suit their skin type.

We all have this - "oh it's such and such a brand even if it is donkey's years old , better keep it " . Bin it if you don't use it or if it is off . Aim to use up what you have got . Be ruthless - if something isn't working for or you don't use , you get rid of it . I think we are all thinking more consciously about this now and it leads to us making better decisions about what to buy going forward - less stuff .I take all the samples and small versions on holiday or have a spa night at home.