How to know when it's time to replace old beauty products

(ARA) - From the first day she applies new lipstick or inaugurates a new bottle of facial cleanser, every American woman is headed toward the same dilemma. How long will that lipstick tube last? Does the razor you used twice and then forgot about for a couple months have some life left? When is cleanser too old to be effective?

Many of us are unsure when beauty products expire - or even if they do at all. Consequently, we may wind up holding on to partial bottles and remnants of products because we're not sure of their usefulness. The arrival of warm weather is a great time to purge.

Cleaning out old beauty products can be emotionally cathartic, and spare you from using expired items that may potentially irritate your skin or that just don't work anymore. Plus, tossing the old opens up opportunities for discovering great new cosmetics, beauty items and skin care products. Here's some advice to get you started:

Cosmetics

Because cosmetic products are used on some very germ-laden areas of our bodies, like around the eyes, nose and mouth, they can breed bacteria. Therefore, they don't have an indefinite shelf-life. The usable life of some common cosmetics are:

* Mascara and liquid eyeliner - three months

* Cream eye shadows -- three to four months

* Powder shadows -- six months if you don't reuse the applicator; three to four when reusing applicators

* Liquid, cream or powder foundation - one year if regularly applied with a new sponge or puff; six months if applied with fingertips.

* Cream and gel blush -- six months. Powder blushes - about a year

Once you've purged old cosmetics you'll be ready to restock with some of the season's hottest new colors and products.

Skin care products

Skin care products can also be susceptible to bacteria growth over time, so if you don't finish a product within a few months, keep an eye on how long you've had it. Discard products like moisturizers, concealers and toners that contain skin nutrients like vitamin C or alpha hydroxy acids after they've been open for about 12 months. Those active ingredients can lose their effectiveness after a year.

Exposure to moisture, air, direct sunlight and extreme temperatures can all affect the ingredients in skin care products, so store them in a cool, dry spot out of direct sunlight. And if a product separates or smells differently than it did when you first opened it, discard it right away.

Once you clear out old cleansers and moisturizers, reward your hard work by trying something new, like Olay Professional Pro-X Cleansers, which offer exfoliating and cream formulas. Both are designed to purify and renew skin for a refreshed, smooth texture. Or, pamper dry skin in areas that often get overlooked, like under your arms. Secret Soothing Effects antiperspirants and deodorants use soy and acai berry to soothe sensitive skin and hydrate that underappreciated skin under your arms.

Shaving products

Warm weather means getting a good shave is more important than ever for anyone who wants to wear shorts, tanks, miniskirts or bathing suits. Old shaving products, like razors and creams, not only become a breeding ground for bacteria, they can also leave your legs looking like you've been through a battle.

Depending on how often you shave, a razor should last a couple of weeks or a little longer. A good rule of thumb is to discard disposable razors when the moisture strip on top wears off. If a blade is visibly rusty, toss it immediately. To avoid rust problems, don't leave your razor in the shower where it will repeatedly get wet every time someone showers.

Gather up old razors and any leftover shaving products older than a year and trash them. Then, treat yourself to a new shaving experience by trying Venus Embrace, a woman's razor that gives a close, comfortable shave using five spring-mounted blades surrounded by a protective ribbon of moisture.

Cleaning out old cosmetics and skin care products can help you feel and look better this season. Plus, it's great inspiration to reward your cleaning efforts by trying something new.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Link Between Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Cosmetic Industry

24-7 -- American women have grown tired of the billion dollar cosmetic industry not addressing 21st century needs. By not providing cosmetic brushes That promotes comfort, provides an easy grip or help alleviate pain in the fingers associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis and other Musculoskeletal Disorders. Ask.com writes" the force place on the fingers, hand and wrist by repetitive task contributes to CTS"

"Women are three times more likely to have carpal tunnel syndrome than men. Although there is limited research on why this is the case, scientists have several ideas. It may be that the wrist bones are naturally smaller in most women, creating a tighter space through which the nerves and tendons must pass. Other researchers are looking at genetic links that make it more likely for women to have musculoskeletal injuries such as CTS. Women also deal with strong hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause that make them more likely to suffer from CTS."Medic 8 Family Health Guide(May 2008)" the three fingers affected by musculoskeletal pain such as carpal tunnel syndrome are the thumb, index and middle finger.

Denise Brown Hubbard a makeup artist for the past 25 years; suffers from hand and finger pain do to carpal tunnel syndrome; she explains" the technology exist to develop cost effective cosmetic brushes to address pain in the fingers associated with Musculoskeletal Disorders the findings stem for 4 years of research" as stated by the Curtis National Center. "CTS is from constant muscular contractions, the tendons that move the fingers go through the carpal tunnel. Chronic over working of the tendons causes them to swell with cause's pressure on nerves. This starts the carpal tunnel symptoms." Denise explains" the pain from those disorders are sometimes felt in the fingers and that is what the cosmetic industry have the ability to address. By developing brushes to contour, the digital bone structure of the fingers instead of resting on top of the bones will relieve pressure on the three fingers affected most by musculoskeletal pain. Focusing on the Digital Bone Structure of the fingers to relieve stress, will provide comfort, an easy grip and ultimately help reduce the pain in the fingers that come from musculoskeletal disorders."

According to Curtis National Hand Center "recognized as the largest most experienced hand center in the nation" statement on Hand Injuries and Conditions "the hand is involved in almost every activity we undertake from the moment we wake until we end our day. Yet we often take our healthy hands for granted. It is when we can not use our hands that we realize how vital they are each minute of our lives."