Best way to get facial creams out of jars?

November 18, 2019 7:30 PM

My day/night creams and eye cream are all in jars. What is the best way to get the creams out without using my fingers?

I bought a pack of plastic spatulas and am scooping the creams out with them. I then clean them with rubbing alcohol and put them in a plastic jar for future uses. I am getting a bit tired of cleaning all the spatulas.

I used to use Q-tips but I stopped because the cotton would absorb product and cause wastage.

Do you have a better and more efficient system to keep jarred creams from spoilage? I prefer pump tops but some creams just don't come in that format.

posted by whitelotus to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (16 answers total)

Small stainless steel teaspoon? You can find them at places like World Market for vey little.
posted by KleenexMakesaVeryGoodHat at 7:41 PM on November 18, 2019

Stainless lab spatula? (Not endorsing Amazon or that particular spatula)
posted by pullayup at 7:45 PM on November 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

How large are the jars and how often do you use the same item? You can put them into a pump yourself. They make small soft spatulas for makeup. A refillable airless pump is mostly likely to get you use of as much accessible product rather than a straw style pump.
posted by Crystalinne at 7:47 PM on November 18, 2019 [3 favorites]

I doubt you need to clean the spatulas with alcohol though, couldn't you just wash your spatula/spoon and dry it as part of your regimen?
posted by cabingirl at 7:51 PM on November 18, 2019 [7 favorites]

Just rinse them off or use a little soap. You dont need to sterilize after each use.
posted by ananci at 7:57 PM on November 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Additional info: The structure of the creams make repackaging in a pump impossible and the eye cream jar is pretty small. I apply the eye creams twice a day, day cream twice and night cream once. It adds up to a lot of dirty spatulas per day which I get tired of cleaning.

I also have other skincare products in jars such as my aloe vera gel which I apply irregularly which adds to the pile of used spatulas.
posted by whitelotus at 8:04 PM on November 18, 2019

I use my just used toner pad, using the side that did not touch my face to wipe my spatulas.
(my order of facial care is cleanse;tone;serum;creams)
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 8:11 PM on November 18, 2019

I don't even clean my little silicone spatulas with soap, I just wipe them quickly with a Kleenex. It takes maybe 2 seconds. I don't know of a better system that isn't wasteful. But if you'd prefer waste to cleaning, you can get something like this or this.
posted by brainmouse at 8:25 PM on November 18, 2019 [4 favorites]

If you want a hygenic, disposable solution, how about finger cots?
posted by muddgirl at 8:44 PM on November 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Not sure how thick were talking here. I'd try a big syringe making it sorta like a tube of toothpaste. Spatula the cream in, you have a plunger to push it out and with a little bit of cutting on the tip, an 1/8" hole and a cap. Then you just squeeze out as much as you need onto a finger or whatnot.

You might even be able to find a toothpaste tube sort of thing where you stuff the cream in and fold over the end and put a clip on it and squeeze it out as you need it.
posted by zengargoyle at 8:53 PM on November 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Get a set of spoons, demitasse (or souvenir, if you really want to get funky) if you want truly small ones, but even a regular spoon should fit in the tub (and you can use the handle end for a second use). Presumably you wash your hands or take a shower every day or two, you can wash your used ones then, or if you have a dishwasher throw them in with your regular loads.
posted by Lyn Never at 11:17 PM on November 18, 2019

Response by poster: I am currently using the kind of plastic scoops linked by brainmouse.

So far I really like Lyn Never's suggestion of a demitasse spoon. Classy.
posted by whitelotus at 11:32 PM on November 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Popsicle stick. Tongue depressor.
posted by little_dog_laughing at 7:04 AM on November 19, 2019

Laneige skincare products come with these nifty little reusable silicone applicators. They're quality and have a nice angle to them that makes them ideal for scooping the right amount of product as well as applying it neatly and efficiently. I found a knock-off (looks exactly the same) on Amazon for less than $3 USD. I am not sure of another way to buy them without purchasing a Laneige product.
posted by nightrecordings at 7:10 AM on November 19, 2019 [1 favorite]

Depending on the the product: transfer into squeeze tubes? (I was thinking primarily of the aloe vera gel; mine is packaged in a tube and lives in the fridge.)
posted by Iris Gambol at 1:48 PM on November 19, 2019

Response by poster: Ok, it seems there is no easy answer to this problem.

nightrecordings: The Laneige silicone applicators knock-offs look really interesting. Will consider ordering them in my next online order.
posted by whitelotus at 7:37 PM on November 20, 2019