CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH

Some people get their kicks from adventure sports. Others prefer to get their high from a spin class. Me? I like tidying things. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than a good clear out. At first glance this might seem like a fairly mindless activity but, as a therapist once pointed out, decluttering itself is actually very mindful.

Netflix tidying guru Marie Kondo has made a whole career from decluttering, and much of her thinking is as applicable to your bathroom cabinet as it is to a wardrobe. As well as helping you make space, a skincare spring clean will help you focus on what’s necessary to your routine in an exercise that amounts to dermal downsizing. And that’s good news for your pocket and the environment.

To start with, you’re bound to have a few things which passed their best about the same time as *NSYNC, so throw out anything past its expiry date. Not all products will have one, but you can check how long something will last once opened by looking for a little symbol resembling an open pot with a lid and a number on it on the packing. So for example, 18m tells you it’s good for 18 months. If you want to stay within the usage time, write the date you first opened it on the carton or bottle so you can gauge when it needs to head for the recycling bin. Going through your selection, asking whether they ‘spark joy’ as Kondo recommends, is also an exercise worth doing. Many skincare products, especially ones with any kind of olfactory impact like shower gels, fragrances or even deodorants, are designed to resonate with us emotionally. So, if that shower gel isn’t hitting the spot (if it doesn’t, try one of REN’s), the fragrance you got for Christmas isn’t doing it for you or your moisturiser just doesn’t hit the mark, ditch it or pass it on and find something that does. Why settle for something that’s just OK when it can be amazing?

Now’s also a great time to rethink your storage solutions. Opt for transparent boxes, which allow you to see how much stuff you’re accumulating and recycle empty scented candle glasses to reduce to the max, too. There are two ways to do this: firstly, group products together by function (moisturisers, exfoliators, etc) and decide which one is your absolute favourite. Be utterly ruthless and stick to this one going forward. Secondly, think about switching to multi-functional products like Frances Prescott’s clever cleanser/exfoliator/moisturiser Tri-Balm and Korres’ face, body and hair oil. These reduce not only space on your shelf, but environmental impact by reducing packaging. And if that doesn’t spark a little joy inside your soul, I don’t know what will.