Buying and maintaining the right products for your skin are as important as knowing how to use them. The product tips below are great for busy people who want to get the most out of their time and money.

Antibacterial Lotions

Clean your hands while you moisturize, especially before you eat. This is a product that really does double-duty.

Cold Cream

Keep Cold Cream from spoiling and maintain its freshness by keeping it in the refrigerator.

Essential Oil Storage

When storing oils used in massage and facial recipes, always use dark containers (ultraviolet light damages the oils) and keep them from extreme heat or cold.

Foundation/Lotion Sponges

Choose the most dense foundation sponge that you can afford; the more dense the sponge, the better the blend into your skin. Inexpensive sponges will absorb your foundation. Also, replace your sponges monthly to prevent bacterial buildup.

Makeup Brushes

Natural bristles last longer and are almost always better than synthetic bristles. Good choices are squirrel, which are the softest and blend the best; sable, which will last almost forever and can be used with creamier products such as lipstick; and Taklon, which distributes the makeup without absorbing it.

Makeup Shelf Life

After you've opened and used your makeup, it's exposed to the air and all sorts of pollutants that gather on your face and hands. Be sure to discard cosmetics, even the really expensive ones, within the time frames that follow: Lipstick, Lip Liner, 1 year; Eye Shadow, Eye Liner, Mascara, 3 months; Blush, 6 months; Nail Polish, 2 years if stored properly.

Skin Care Applicator Storage

Keep sponges, Q-tips, cotton balls, and other cosmetic/skin care applicators sterile by storing them in sealed canisters or jars.

SPF-What it Means

SPF (sunscreen protection factor) tells you how long you can stay in the sun before getting burnt. If you usually burn after 10 minutes in the sun and you're wearing an SPF 20 sunscreen, the formula works as follows: 10 minutes X 20 SPF = 200 minutes. Keep in mind that you'll need to apply sun block more frequently if you're perspiring or get wet. Rule of thumb: wear a product with an SPF of at least 8 every day, even on cloudy days.

Streaking Self-Tanner

Prevent streaking when you apply self tanner by diluting it with your favorite lotion. Your skin will be smooth, tan, and healthy! Even better, dilute your self-tanner with moisturizing sun block.

Sunscreen Shelf Life

Always check the label of your sunscreen to determine its shelf life. Most sunscreens without expiration dates are good for two to three years. Store sun block in a cool, dry place; extreme heat may decrease your sunscreen's shelf life. Also, if you notice any color, odor, or consistency change in your sunscreen, throw it out! Your skin is worth every bit of the $10 you'll spend on a new bottle of sun block.