All items · Health & beauty
Used or opened cosmetics and toiletries
Also covers: makeup, half-used perfume, opened shampoo, skincare
Why shops refuse it
Hygiene rules — only new, sealed products can be sold.
What to do instead
Unopened toiletries are welcome at most shops, and hygiene banks take sealed donations for people in need.
Charity by charity
-
Can't accept
British Heart Foundation
Accepted only if sealed with ingredients listed.
Their wording
“unless sealed with ingredients listed”
-
Can't accept
British Red Cross
New, unused cosmetics, aftershaves and perfumes ARE accepted if sealed in original packaging.
Their wording
“We can accept new, unused cosmetics, aftershaves and perfumes if they remain sealed in their original packaging.”
-
Can't accept
Cancer Research UK
Sealed/new items can be sold.
Their wording
“Used make up, nail varnish, creams, perfumes”
-
Can't accept
Claire House Children's Hospice
Their wording
“Used cosmetics, candles, or personal goods (razors, etc.)”
-
Can't accept
DEBRA
Also covers unsealed perfumes and toiletries.
Their wording
“Used make-up”
-
Can't accept
Dorothy House
Only sealed toiletries accepted
Their wording
“Unsealed toiletries”
-
Can't accept
Great Western Air Ambulance Charity
Their wording
“Open cosmetics”
-
Can't accept
Salvation Army (SATCoL)
Accepted only if sealed and in-date.
Their wording
“cosmetics (unless sealed and in-date)”
-
Can't accept
Save the Children
Their wording
“used cosmetics”
-
Can't accept
Shelter
Their wording
“opened cosmetics and toiletries”
-
Can't accept
St Peter's Hospice
Their wording
“Open toiletries/cosmetics”
-
Can't accept
Sue Ryder
Includes hair dye and nail varnish, even if unsealed... their wording covers these even when sealed.
Their wording
“cosmetics and toiletries; including hair dye and nail varnish (even if unsealed)”
-
Can't accept
Wales Air Ambulance
Their wording
“Unsealed cosmetics and toiletries”
-
Check first
Shaw Trust
Only accepted sealed/unused with ingredients listed.
Their wording
“cosmetics (unless sealed with ingredients listed)”
Not mentioned in 30 charities' guidance
Absence from a charity's list doesn't mean they accept it — it just isn't singled out. Ask your local shop.
- Not mentioned Acorns Children's Hospice
- Not mentioned Age UK
- Not mentioned Barnardo's
- Not mentioned Cornwall Hospice Care
- Not mentioned Crisis
- Not mentioned Dogs Trust
- Not mentioned Emmaus
- Not mentioned FARA Charity Shops
- Not mentioned Keech Hospice Care
- Not mentioned LOROS Hospice
- Not mentioned Marie Curie
- Not mentioned Octavia Foundation
- Not mentioned Overgate Hospice
- Not mentioned Oxfam
- Not mentioned PDSA
- Not mentioned Phyllis Tuckwell
- Not mentioned Princess Alice Hospice
- Not mentioned Samaritans
- Not mentioned Scope
- Not mentioned Sense Scotland
- Not mentioned St Barnabas Hospice (Lincolnshire)
- Not mentioned St Christopher's Hospice
- Not mentioned St Giles Hospice
- Not mentioned St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP)
- Not mentioned The Children's Trust
- Not mentioned Traid
- Not mentioned Trinity Hospice (Blackpool)
- Not mentioned Willen Hospice
- Not mentioned Woodgreen Pets Charity
- Not mentioned YMCA (England & Wales)