How to use a cream jar spatula and keep the jar clean

Why jars come with spatulas

Every time fingers go into a jar, they can bring water, makeup, oils and whatever was on your hands into the cream. A clean spatula keeps fingers out, so the cream in the jar stays cleaner. It also helps you take a measured amount, which makes a jar last longer.

Some brands tell you to use one. Shiseido says to use the enclosed spatula with Future Solution LX Legendary Enmei and to scoop 2 pearl-sized drops onto your fingertips. If your jar did not come with one, a clean cosmetic spatula works the same way.

How to scoop, step by step

1. 1

   Wash and dry your hands.

2. 2

   Check the spatula is clean and completely dry.

3. 3

   Open the jar and scoop from the surface, not deep down the side.

4. 4

   Take about a pea, roughly 0.3 to 0.5 ml, or the amount the brand gives.

5. 5

   Wipe the cream onto the back of your hand or your fingertips.

6. 6

   Close the lid straight away.

7. 7

   Warm the cream between your fingertips and apply as the brand directs.

Cleaning and storing the spatula

Wipe the spatula with a clean tissue after each use, and wash it regularly with warm water and a mild soap. Rinse well and let it air dry completely before it touches the cream again; water carried into a jar is the thing you most want to avoid. Some people wipe it with a little rubbing alcohol and let it evaporate fully; check the spatula's material, since some plastics or finishes may not like alcohol.

Store the spatula clean and dry, in a small clean container or on a clean dish, not loose in a makeup bag. If the jar lid has a holder for the spatula, use it, but only after the spatula is clean and dry. Replace a spatula that is cracked, scratched or that you have lost track of.

Note.Never put a wet spatula, wet fingers or water into a cream jar. Water can change the product and is the main reason to use a spatula at all.

Jar hygiene habits

Our storage guide covers temperature and light in more detail, and our page on whether skincare expires explains the symbol and batch codes.

• Close the lid after each use.
• Keep the jar away from heat and direct sun, such as a sunny windowsill or a hot car.
• Do not store jars in the shower, where steam and splashes can get in.
• Do not share jars or spatulas.
• Write the opening date on the box and use it within the period after opening, the open jar symbol with a number and M.
• Stop using any cream whose smell, color or texture changes, or that separates.

Refills and pumps

Many luxury jars now use refill pods. Lancome describes a refillable capsule system for Absolue The Soft Cream: twist the empty capsule right to release, insert the new refill and twist left to secure. Shiseido says to pull out the empty container, push the refill pod firmly in, remove the freshness seal and replace the cap. Wipe the outer jar with a clean, dry cloth when you swap pods. Our refills explained page covers how they work.

Airless pumps do not need a spatula, since you never touch the product inside. If a pump stops dispensing, see airless pump not working.

Jar creams in our guides

If you are choosing a jar, our guides list sizes and price per ml. A 50 ml jar used at about a pea twice a day commonly lasts around two months, so the spatula and lid habits above apply for weeks of daily use; see how long a jar lasts. Before using a new cream on your face, patch test it on a small area, as explained in our patch test guide, and see a dermatologist if you have a skin condition.

Compare luxury face cream jars →

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need a spatula? It is not required, but it keeps fingers and water out of the jar and helps you measure. If you use fingers, wash and dry them first.

Can I keep the spatula inside the jar? Only if the lid has a holder designed for it. Do not leave it buried in the cream.

How often should I wash the spatula? Wipe it after each use and wash it regularly, letting it dry fully before the next use.

Can I use a spatula for eye cream? Yes. Take a rice-grain amount per eye. See how to apply eye cream.