How to Marie Kondo Your Skincare Stash

Have you caught the Marie Kondo bug? You might have read her book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organising.” Or you binge-watched her Netflix special. Most of us accumulate so much stuff. But (and this is just our opinion) it is not necessary to be super militant about her method, as long as we finally start getting rid of things we don't need. Wardrobe has been organized with military precision. The kitchen drawers only hold necessary utensils. Now it is time to get a handle on our skincare stash.

Put it in a pile

The first step is not pretty. Put all your products in a big pile and have a good look. We'll be the first to admit we don't really NEED a gazillion cleansers. Check the expiry dates and get rid of anything that is out of date or has been collecting dust forever. And don't forget all the samples and travel sizes you have squirreled away just in case.

Does it spark joy?

At this stage in the process typically it is time to ask yourself - does it spark joy? At this point, it's ok to allow ourselves some leeway. Don't get us wrong, when it comes to culling stuff, ours is the Game of Thrones approach (ruthless to the extreme). There is logic to our madness. The blandest cleanser in our stash might not necessarily spark joy. But it sure comes in handy when we overdo it with retinol or acids. The essential part is to be realistic about the products you use and need. Give away the products that simply don't work for your skin, or you have no need for. One of your friends or family members might love it.

Divide and conquer

Once your stash is under control, it is time to divide products into categories. This step is specific to your situation. For example, we sort the products by categories - cleansers, toners, serums, acids, etc. You might prefer to sort them out by season. Colour. Most used products. Whatever works best for you.

Sort it all out

It's time to sort it all out and organize (our favorite part of the process). Again, this will be specific to your situation. Some people have a ton of space in their bathrooms/bedrooms. Others might be strapped for space. It is time to invest in some storage solutions (as Mrs. Hinch likes to call them. She is another favorite). Check out IKEA, Muji or your local Home Bargains. The options are endless and don't have to cost a fortune. You can take your pick from trays and baskets to drawer dividers and shelf units.

The layout

How you lay out your skincare again depends on your preference. Our layout is relatively simple. One basket contains the most used products so that they are within easy reach. The other contains all other products divided by categories. That way it is easy to find alternatives if we need to switch one of the products in the routine. Your approach might be completely different; there is no right or wrong way to go about it.

How do you organize your skincare stash? If you would like, please share your snaps with us on Instagram - one thing we love is seeing other people's skincare stash.