IT’S A DATE

Makeup use-by dates aren’t a conspiracy cooked up by cosmetics companies to sell more stuff — bacterial infections are real. Thankfully, the deterioration of makeup usually tells you it’s time to move on (hello orange foundation, dry eyeliner and gloopy nail polish). With skincare, it’s harder to tell, but don’t be fooled — its efficacy is decreasing with each passing day. Best-case scenario, this means you’re wasting your money. Worst-case scenario? Your skin isn’t receiving the benefits you think it is. Stephanie Grey from Auckland’s About Face says spring is a crucial time to upgrade your SPF. “If you’re still using a product from last summer, treat yourself to something new you’ll actually use. If you haven’t yet found one you love wearing every day, make it a priority.”

Try: Coola Eco-Lux SPF 30 Pina Colada Sunscreen Spray, $62.

As for the rest of your skincare regime, World Beauty director Benny Castles recommends Nordic brand Nuori, whose philosophy is based around a short shelf life for maximum impact. “The breakdown of ingredients isn’t a widely discussed part of skincare, but Nuori tackles it by being incredibly transparent about when a product is made and when it should be used by,” he says. Nuori’s 100% natural blends are prepared in small batches every 12 weeks and stamped with a start-using-by date and an expiry date. Nuori Vital Foaming Cleanser, $48, from World Beauty.