Summer Cosmetics: Toss or Keep?

QUESTION: In anticipation of cooler fall weather, I've started putting away some of my beach clothes and unpacking my lighter fall wardrobe. I'm also trying to spring clean (fall clean?) my overcrowded cosmetics drawer. Are there any products I absolutely should toss? Or not?

ANSWER: Toss any heavy-duty sunscreen products you've been using at the beach all summer long. The effectiveness of the active ingredients fades after several months, so there's no point saving them for next summer. Even away from the beach, however, protection against the sun's damaging rays is important. For the coming months, buy a lightweight sunscreen that protects against incidental UVA and UVB rays.

If you've been using a sunless tanner, check whether an orange-brown residue has started to form. That means the product is oxidizing and losing effectiveness. Toss it.

Mascara and lip products you've had more than 18 months are probably ready for the waste bin, especially if you've had an eye infection or cold sore during that time. You don't want to risk re-infection. Besides, the mascara is probably drying up and starting to flake and clump. And you're surely ready for an updated lipstick color by now?

Do stock up on an SPF-containing lip balm, however. Lips are especially susceptible to sunburn, chapping and drying in fall and winter weather -- even in a mild climate.

Finally, give all your cosmetics the nose test. If anything smell a sour or rancid, chuck it.