How to Reduce Expired and Slow-Moving Skincare Inventory
Short answer: To reduce expired and slow-moving skincare stock, keep a stock register with quantity, expiry date and last sale date for each product, check it weekly, and decide for each item whether to reorder, reduce, move or stop. Set reorder points based on recent sales rather than supplier minimums.
Key takeaways
- Record expiry and last sale date for every product.
- Check aging stock weekly.
- Reorder based on recent sales, not habit.
- Decide early what to do with slow movers.
Why does inventory expire?
Over-ordering to meet supplier minimums, buying new lines without removing old ones, and lack of visibility over expiry dates all lead to stock that sits until it can't be sold.
Expired stock is a direct loss and takes up shelf space for products that would sell.
How do you manage aging stock?
- Stock register: product, quantity, expiry date, last sale date, average monthly sales
- Weekly checklist: items expiring within 90 days, no sale in 60 days, below reorder point
- Decision for each: reorder, reduce, use in treatment where appropriate, return or stop
Agree reorder points with whoever places orders.
How does the inventory aging and reorder sheet help?
The aging and reorder sheet includes a stock register, a weekly checklist and a decision section.
Resource 065 is organized into these sections:
- Stock register
- Weekly checklist
- Decision
For the calculation, use tab “065 Inventory reorder” in the Aesthetic Intelligence Calculation Workbook. Blue cells are editable inputs.
Download Resource 065: Inventory aging and reorder sheet →
Frequently asked questions
Can we discount products close to expiry?
Possibly, if appropriate for the product and allowed by suppliers. Check margin first.
How do we set reorder points?
Use average monthly sales and supplier lead time, plus a small safety buffer.
Should we stock every product a supplier offers?
No. Keep a focused range that clinicians actively recommend.
What should you do next?
Download the free inventory aging and reorder sheet and complete it with your team this week.
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Related reading
- How to Track Retail Performance Beyond Total Sales (Resource 064)
- How to Create a Useful Post-Treatment Follow-Up System (Resource 066)
- Local SEO for Aesthetic Clinics: A Practical Starting Checklist (Resource 075)
About Aesthetic Intelligence. Aesthetic Intelligence helps aesthetic clinic owners and managers in Canada and the United States find missed revenue and turn it into practical action through strategy, operations systems, front-desk workflows and training. Founded by Chantel Allen, a former clinic COO with more than seven years of operations, AI and business-systems experience in Canadian medical aesthetics and longevity clinics.
Examples in this article are hypothetical. This is general operational guidance, not legal, financial, tax or medical advice. Clinical decisions belong with qualified clinicians, and advertising, privacy and consent requirements vary by province and state.