A medicine cabinet that’s more so a graveyard of expired pills, melted makeup, and forgotten remedies gathering dust can be a serious source of frustration. (We’re looking at you, decade-old cough syrup and mystery ointment.) More importantly, storing certain items in that steamy, humid environment could compromise their performance. That’s why we consulted the experts on what doesn’t belong in your medicine cabinet.
Truth be told, there’s no singular way to organize your medicine cabinet, explains interior designer Evan Gibbs. “The best solution is the easiest to maintain and most likely the simplest,” she says. Gibbs keeps hers organized according to frequency of use. “So your daily products on the bottom shelf or at eye level, and then your weekly products next, and so on,” she says.
Meanwhile, pharmacist Dr. Ethan J. Melillo organizes much like a pharmacy. “In my medicine cabinet, I like to separate my shelves by cold/flu/allergy products, skincare products, first aid, and digestive health,” says Dr. Melillo.
To kick off your medicine cabinet makeover, see the items you should stop storing there.
Perfume
The heat and humidity in a bathroom medicine cabinet make it a less-than-ideal place for perfumes and colognes since it can alter their scent. To keep fragrances at their best, store them with the lids on in a cool, dry place where they will not be exposed to sunlight or temperature fluctuations. Gibbs suggests storing fragrances in their original boxes for added protection.
Hydrogen Peroxide
“Please stop buying and using hydrogen peroxide for cuts, scrapes, and wounds,” says Dr. Melillo, explaining that in addition to killing germs, it damages healthy skin cells and can actually delay healing. “Instead, simple soap and water is all you need,” he says. Of course, follow the instructions of your health care provider, but keep Melillo’s words in mind for minor scrapes.
Bulk-Size Items
Most households will not use hundreds of ibuprofen tablets or antacids before they expire. Even bandages have a limited shelf life, with the American Red Cross advising that the adhesive may fail after just a few years. Purchasing these items in smaller amounts is safer and often produces less waste.
Triple Antibiotic Ointments
Melillo explains that neomycin, one of the active ingredients in antibiotic ointments, can lead to allergic reactions and contact dermatitis (an itchy, painful reaction to a topical irritant). A petrolatum-based product like CeraVe healing ointment is a better choice for minor abrasions, he says.
Dr. Melillo’s list of medicine cabinet must-haves includes sunscreen, a thermometer, naproxen or ibuprofen for headaches, antacids, a petrolatum-based ointment for scrapes and chaffed skin, Sudafed for nasal congestion, Zyrtec for seasonal allergies, and a daily vitamin to cover your nutritional bases.
Expired Over-the-Counter and Prescription Meds
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Pharmacies check their shelves once a month for expired or expiring meds—and so should you, according to Dr. Melillo. Once an OTC or prescription medication has expired (and thus loses its effectiveness), the only safe thing to do is dispose of it. You can ask your local pharmacy if they have a drop box or check your area for twice-yearly DEA-sponsored “Drug Take-Back” Days where you can turn in unneeded medications for safe disposal.
It’s OK to hang onto some leftover prescriptions, like anti-nausea medications or a rescue inhaler. That way, if a doctor prescribes the same medication to you again within the year, you already have a dose on hand. But never take a previously prescribed medication for a subsequent illness without consulting your physician, and discard all prescriptions after one year.
Leftover Antibiotics
In most cases, antibiotics are prescribed to be taken until they are gone. So in theory, you shouldn’t have any leftovers. But even if you do, Dr. Melillo says you shouldn’t save them to take for another illness. Every bacterial illness requiring antibiotics should receive its own course to ensure effectiveness and reduce the risk of creating antibiotic resistance.
Anything Without a Legible Label
If you can’t clearly make out every single word printed on the label, you cannot safely use the product. It’s not worth the risk.
For organization, Gibbs suggests being on the lookout for beautiful but useful accessories at flea markets or big-box stores to keep essentials such as cotton swabs, makeup remover pads, floss, and razor cartridges organized and your cabinet aesthetically curated. “For instance, I put my partner’s contacts in a lovely piece of pottery I thrifted and then found another lidded brass box for the empty contact containers. It makes his morning routine easy and alleviates the daily annoyance of seeing trash on the counter,” she says.
Expensive Cosmetic Products
All cosmetics, lotions, and sunscreens have expiration dates. In order to maximize your chances of enjoying the whole product before it expires, avoid storing it where you may lose track of it. “I wouldn’t put any kind of expensive skincare or hair products in a cabinet as you run the risk of them expiring,” says Gibbs. “If products are out of sight, you are more likely not to remember to use them.”
Additionally, the high humidity has the potential to negatively effect certain cosmetic products. To be on the safe side, don’t store them in your medicine cabinet.
