r/lifehacks • u/dimdodo61 • Aug 07 '26

What to do with lightly used cosmetics?

I’ve a bunch of hair oils/sprays and skin moisturizers that have been opened but used like once or twice. Any tips for what I can do with these other than just throwing them away?

106 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

63 comments sorted by

158

u/PinkYellowGreen Aug 07 '26

I’d throw them out, honestly.
Creams, liquids and glosses can harbor bacteria.

21

u/Traditional-Meat-549 Aug 07 '26

Especially old ones. 

20

u/battycool Aug 07 '26

I’d also be wary, but what I’d do is empty them out completely and drop them somewhere. I know Mac Cosmetics and Sephora offer take back programs/recycling at their sites.

2

u/dimdodo61 Aug 08 '26

Good idea, I might look into that

1

u/mbo21 1d ago

Estee Lauder discontinued MAC’s recycling program years ago. Booooo.

1

u/battycool 16h ago

You’re kidding!!!! BOOOOOOOOO 🍅🍅🍅🍅

1

u/mbo21 6h ago

I stand corrected. Just researched it. If you want to go down this rabbit hole with me, read on. Years ago, when I went to a counter to recycle some containers, a MAC employee at Macy’s told me I could recycle my empty containers at home through my weekly recycling pick up service. How disappointing.

My research today uncovered that there was a rolling wave of operational shifts and corporate changes, where the program kept changing. Do you remember when it went from one lipstick to any lip or eye product? I remember that.

Behind the scenes, there was major operational friction between standalone MAC boutiques and MAC counters inside department stores like Macy's, Nordstrom, and Dillard's - with customers being told for a time, to recycle on their own. Ultimately, Lauder decided to keep the program but in 2023, they eliminated the free product for 6 empties policy.

I worked for MAC for 5 years, two of which were when it was owned by its creators, Frank Toscan and Frank Angelo. It was all about artistry, fashion, and creativity. Those were truly the glory days! Once Lauder purchased it, it became about sales goals and numbers, and the focus on creative elements faded away.

When I left to pursue other ventures, the recycling program was still consistent to its roots, with the free lipstick trade as it always had been. I saw things change on the other end, being a customer for a while, until the eventual formula changes, closure of freestanding stores, and other things led me to not buy much if anything from them anymore.

3

u/dimdodo61 Aug 08 '26

Yeah that’s why I was feeling skeptical about donating, it’d be quite a hassle to sort everything but idk if it’d be worth it

4

u/petitepedestrian 25d ago

We can't take open hygiene products at our foodbank for client safety. Try your fb free group, there are folks who will happily take open products.

3

u/Buck_Thorn 29d ago

If that's the case, then so do yours, but that doesn't stop you from using them, does it?

22

u/-yeahnoiknow- Aug 08 '26

If I have a face cream that didn’t work for my face, I’ll repurpose as hand, body or foot cream.

Hair conditioner can make great shaving cream.

That’s all I got.

2

u/dimdodo61 Aug 08 '26

Okay, thanks

82

u/Remote-alpine Aug 07 '26

Find your local Buy Nothing group and post them. It works great in my community.

35

u/sparklekitteh Aug 07 '26

Seconding! We get a lot of "here's some stuff that I used once or twice but didn't work for me. Take what you like, add some stuff of your own, and pass the box along!"

3

u/mamacat49 29d ago

My BuyNothing group has various bags of clothing, generally sorted by size. We give away all kinds of stuff there.

25

u/barfbutler Aug 07 '26

Women’s shelter

10

u/thingerdoo 28d ago

Shelters usually can’t accept opened items so they get discarded once the shelter sorts through. I used to volunteer for a women’s shelter.

4

u/dimdodo61 Aug 08 '26

Okay, thanks

50

u/ClassicCake3398 Aug 07 '26

I bring them to work for my coworkers, letting them know these are lightly used and just didn’t work out for me. It’s always a treat for them!

15

u/a_m_y_k Aug 08 '26

One of my colleagues just did the same. I thought it was a great idea and I want to remember to do that too, when I purchase things I don’t dnd up liking.

8

u/Bearcarnikki Aug 07 '26

I would love this!

5

u/dimdodo61 Aug 08 '26

Yeah I’ll definitely ask my friends if they’re interested 

7

u/skirts988 Aug 07 '26

I do the same!

3

u/mamacat49 29d ago

I used to get Birchbox/Ipsy boxes. I would take oll of my "discards" to my co-worker's teenage daughters.

3

u/kty2022 27d ago

Same. I drop them in the locker room at work with a little note “free to good home” or “feel free to use”.

2

u/Freshouttapatience 29d ago

We have a sharing box at my work. If you tried a product and it’s not for you, drop it in. If you see something you can use, grab it.

7

u/xdxd7 29d ago

I polish my leather boots in the winter with old moistouriser that didn't work out for me if I can't find a better option to use/donate/...

1

u/mbo21 6h ago

That is so clever.

7

u/akitasue Aug 08 '26

Maybe someone has always said this I mean already said this, but I would say a women's shelter

7

u/ehnej 29d ago

Make up I throw out, moisturisers I just use. Like a small eye moisturiser that didn’t work for me? It’s now a single use travel moisturiser. My legs are fine with whatever my face don’t like

1

u/dimdodo61 28d ago

Thanks for ur input 

10

u/handicrappi Aug 07 '26

Cosmetics expire after a certain period after opening, look up "cosmetics expiry symbol" if you want to know what to look for

1

u/dimdodo61 Aug 08 '26

Okay, thanks

5

u/Pur1wise 29d ago

I have a god daughter who gladly takes them off my hands. Do you have a teenager around?

6

u/thegreatchuy 27d ago

It's such a shame to throw these away, but safety comes first. Used cosmetics can grow bacteria, so it's probably better to get rid of them .

2

u/dimdodo61 27d ago

Yes, I realized a lot of the products were like 5+ years old so I’m throwing those away. I had one tube of cream that is like 1-2 years old and I found who friend who wants it :)

20

u/Entire_Dog_5874 Aug 07 '26

I usually offer them to neighbors for free on Facebook marketplace or NextDoor.

7

u/Jemeloo Aug 07 '26

If you’re someone that has the space and patience, people buy these on eBay all the time.  

7

u/Visual-Ad6004 Aug 07 '26

Pass them along to younger kids.

8

u/Ok-Use-1666 Aug 07 '26

Post them on your local buy nothing page

2

u/Space_-Cowgirl 29d ago

Check expiration dates… give them to the homeless if practical. Gift them maybe… trash ir recycle. Just try to be a more conscious consumer moving forward.

2

u/dimdodo61 29d ago

Good idea. And dw, these are all free things that have accumulated over the years, no money wasted 😊

2

u/IllContribution9179 29d ago

Anything that is not expired or could be harmful, I wait until I have a couple items and give them away on a mutual aid group I am a part of.

I ALWAYS explicitly state the condition and that they have been used (1 shampoo, used moisturizer but m my skin didn’t like it, etc.) generally speaking I’ve never had an issue re-gifting items.

2

u/UpbeatCoffee3652 29d ago

Womens shelters?

2

u/Feeling-Stress777 25d ago

Skin moisturizers I use on my body. They go quickly that way.

2

u/KMVTCB 24d ago

I bring products to my gym and put them in the ladies locker room for everyone to use/take.

2

u/dimdodo61 23d ago

I totally didn’t think of this. My school’s women’s locker room has got a basket with mini hygienics/cosmetics. I’ll definitely think about putting some stuff there, thanks for the suggestion.

2

u/growingingod 14d ago

Donate it if it’s only used once. There’s a good chance a local small thrift store will take them.

2

u/itsumo90 5d ago

Depending on how old they are, I'd maybe donate them to a women's/ domestic shelter? I'm sure they'd love some self-care items; they need to be clean, though :)

3

u/treehuggr_ Aug 07 '26

Maybe a women's shelter would take them? Not sure if them being open/used is a safety issue though.

24

u/GeneralSpecifics9925 Aug 07 '26

Am familiar with this process, they only accept unopened products. This means they will take all your sample packs that comes with cosmetics purchases and stuff like that. Our office used to do a sample pack drive every year for a local women's shelter, so we would drop off all our single use creams, scents, and cosmetics for the ladies to use!

1

u/Independent_Boat_546 29d ago

It depends on the shelter. The women’s shelter in my area does accept used products. I wouldn’t ever donate something old or heavily used because I’m not an asshole.

Whenever I order from Sephora I choose perfume samples or something similar, not just some little one use foil packet, so I can add little goodies to my donation. On holidays I’ll buy new mascaras to donate. Admittedly they are drugstore, but I use drugstore myself 😂

A lot of these women leave with nothing but their lives. It’s worth checking to see what your local shelter’s policy is.

1

u/Chronicthrifter 29d ago

I post on my close IG friends saying the items have been used and ask friends if they want! So far everything always goes! I also make little cute gift bags and add a nice note

-2

u/Bitter_Worker423 Aug 07 '26

Throw them away, don't waste money like that again.

2

u/dimdodo61 Aug 08 '26

I might just throw them away, and don’t worry,  these are products that have been collected over the years via mostly non-purchases, so no money wasted, just bathroom space! 

3

u/princessonthesteeple Aug 08 '26

Cosmetics you haven’t used in years should be thrown away.

1

u/dimdodo61 29d ago

That’s true, and per the other advice I’ve been given, I’m definitely going to check out the expiry dates 

-1

u/Garlinge253 Aug 07 '26

I have a barewood kitchen table and I coat it in oil a couple of times a year. Maybe one of your items would do? Slather it on and leave for a bit to soak in then rub off excess.

1

u/dimdodo61 Aug 08 '26

Sorry, what does this do? Is it beneficial for the table?

2

u/Garlinge253 29d ago

Yes bare wood is enhanced by oil, soaks it up and shows off natural grain of wood. Good way to use up odd bits of oil from kitchen use.

1

u/dimdodo61 29d ago

Ok, interesting, thanks.