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Spring Cleaning: Time To Renew Old Makeup And Contact Supplies

March 28, 2013

Time to rid your drawers of old products that come in contact with your eyes.

While it may not look like it from the blistering winter winds and endless reports of snow rolling in, this last week of March technically marks the first week of the Spring season. Typically, the start of spring means packing away all of your winter gear for the next couple of months and digging out your warm weather clothing from its dark hibernation all winter.

cabinetUnfortunately, this year seems to be a little different―despite opposite predictions from Punxsutawney Phil and his claim for a short winter. While it may be just a little too chilly still to ditch your jacket and scarf’s for warmer shorts and tank tops, that doesn’t mean that you can’t get a jump start on your spring cleaning in other aspects of your life.

Spring is a great time to clean out all of the clutter in your life and dispose of things which you may no longer find useful. For example, old clothes, shoes, accessories, etc. You should also use this popular cleaning season as a reminder to rid yourself of old makeup that comes into contact with your eyes and contact supplies that may be about to expire.

Many people do not realize that things such as eye makeup and contact supplies have an expiration date. Instead, they simply wait until these objects have run out or emptied until they think about replacing them. Unfortunately, using expired or dirty items around your eye area can cause serious infections that may lead to harmful eye conditions or even disease. With contacts especially, corneal ulcers can occur when old or outdated contacts are put into your eyes.

When it comes to contacts, spring is also the perfect season to think about replacing your contact case and contact solution. Proper contact case cleaning should also take place throughout the year by using solution to rinse out your case after ever contact insertion. You should then leave your case open to air dry to prevent bacteria from growing.

However, unlike contact cases, makeup cannot simply be cleaned in order to ward off infection. Instead, it needs to be replaced based on each particular items shelf life. For instance, here is a basic idea of when you should replace certain makeup items:

  • Eye shadow: Powdered shadow can last up to three years; cream shadow only lasts for a year.
  • Mascara: Replace every three to six months
  • Eyeliner: Replace at least every two years and sharpen regularly to cut down on bacterial growth.

While it may seem tempting to hang on to your makeup as long as possible, especially when some items can cost $15-$20 a piece, most of these beauty products are a breeding ground for bacteria and can seriously infect your eyes if they are used after their expiration date.

Will you be cleaning out any other items in your life this spring season? Be sure to let us know in the comments below. In the mean time, be sure to follow these extra steps for keeping your eyes as clean and healthy as possible this upcoming spring season.

 

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