People are always on the lookout for a good skincare product that works for them. With several products claiming to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, provide skin with deep hydration, and much more, many buy products only to realize that they don’t work for them or are unsuitable for their skin type. As a result, the skincare products end up at the back of your vanity, so you remember them only when they are about to expire. However, did you know you can repurpose your skincare products? Thus, you can save yourself the guilt of buying an expensive product by reusing it instead of throwing it away.
1. Use facial oils for hair and dry skin
If you are a big fan of facial oils and have bought tons only to realize they’re too heavy for your skin, apply them to your hair. When mixed with carrier oil, some facial oils, like jojoba and rosemary oil, can leave your hair soft and shiny. Jojoba oil, for instance, when massaged through the tips of your hair, moisturizes it and makes it feel less brittle. When massaged on your scalp, it can also reduce dandruff and strengthen your hair roots.
If not hair, repurpose the skincare product by applying a generous amount to your cuticles or elbows. You can also use it on your stretch marks or a light layer of facial oils on your lips (only after a patch test) to keep them hydrated.
2. Use face moisturizers for the body
Instead of throwing away that bottle of face moisturizer, repurpose it as a body moisturizer. Your hands and feet also need some TLC. So, instead of buying a separate hand and foot cream, apply your face moisturizer for soft and smooth skin on your hands and feet.
3. Clean makeup brush with cleansers
Next time, before splurging on specialized brush-cleaning products, try to remember if you have a cleanser you no longer use. You can repurpose the skincare product by cleaning your makeup brushes with them. Since the cleansers are designed to be gentle on your skin, they will also be gentle on your brush. Pump a few drops of cleanser on your brush, rub it in, and see all the dirt, dust, and makeup being washed away. You can also clean your makeup sponges and facial rollers with the cleansers.
4. Exfoliate the body with chemical exfoliants
If you have a chemical exfoliant that does not suit your facial skin, give it another chance. Use them to exfoliate your body. You can apply chemical exfoliants, like lactic and glycolic acid, to remove dead skin cells on your arms, legs, chest, and back. Moreover, they can help clear body acne or keratosis pilaris.
5. Use toner in hair or body mask
Toners are usually distilled water and essential oils obtained naturally from herbs, flowers, etc. However, if your toner is not doing it for your skin, it’s time to repurpose this skincare product. Toners like rosewater and rice water are gentle and have next to no side effects. Hence, you can use them in DIY body and hair masks. Other toners, like Vitamin C-based products, can be used as a pre-shampoo ritual to exfoliate your scalp gently.
However, before you repurpose your old skincare products, do a patch test or consult a dermatologist to be on the safe side. If you are unwilling to reuse them or can’t do so due to skin sensitivity, give them to someone who can. In the comment section below, mention how you repurposed your old skincare products.
