5 Signs Your Love for Beauty Products Has Gone Overboard

Beauty products have become more affordable and accessible over the years that it has been so easy to get hooked. They feel nice, smell good, and make your skin look amazing. What’s not to like? The rise of social media and e-commerce has further sped up the process of going from “influenced” to adding to cart. Now more than ever, going overboard is possible. Here are the five telltale signs.

There is such a thing as having too many beauty products. Do you know how they say reading and loving books are two very different hobbies? The same goes for skin care. If you buy for the satisfaction of owning the product rather than the intention of using it, consider yourself a certified junkie.

A good beauty girl knows her stuff. She reads reviews before buying. She knows that “organic” doesn’t always mean “safe” and that you shouldn't use retinol with certain ingredients. She also researches actives, trends, counterindications, and risks. Once you stop caring about understanding the label, you’ve officially crossed over to the dark side.

Is your pantry stripped to the basics while your beauty fridge is filled to the brim? Do you find yourself hesitating to buy groceries, canceling subscriptions, and maxing out your credit limit only to get your hands on the latest “it” cosmetics? When you economize on essentials to buy beauty products, you might need to reassess your priorities.

You know you have too many products when you don’t even realize they’re so close to going bad. Most skincare and makeup products have a shelf life of six months to a year. Frequently used ones and those that cater to sensitive eye and lip areas have even shorter life spans. Segregate unopened purchases from used ones to better keep track of viability.

Let’s face it: You’re not going to put all those creams on your face. Most of them may not work well together, and others may give you allergic reactions. When they do, share your beauty treasures with friends and family. Revisit your collection and make an inventory of what you have. To paraphrase the famous essentialist Marie Kondo, ask yourself, “Do these spark joy? Or do I chuck ‘em?”

When purchasing products, focus on quality ones that are within your budget. You may also consider getting hardworking, multitasking formulas to make the most of your purchase.

You could go for a product that works on all skin types and conditions, like POND's Aloe Vera Jelly Moisturizer. For the body, use Vaseline Gluta-Hya Serum Burst Lotion Flawless Glow, which hydrates while evening out skin tone.

You may have too many beauty products on your hands if you’re experiencing any or all of the symptoms above. Rethink your relationship with skin care and makeup and buying to achieve your skin health goals — not to fill a void with yet another haul.