Do You Actually Need a Beauty Fridge for Your Skincare Products? (Yes and No.)

Who wouldn’t want to lean over during the summer and grab a pair of hydrogel patches from the small fridge that fits perfectly on her bedside table? It’s so convenient and incredibly refreshing. Plus, many of us assume that temperature control is key to preserving our cosmetics and skincare products. Unfortunately, many of these products do not belong in a beauty fridge. In fact, this might be another skincare myth. Let’s take a look at what dermatologists and formulators have to say!

Do We Need Skincare Fridges to Preserve Our Products?

Everyone loves eye creams that are a bit cool and sheet masks that are super cold on the skin. Chilled products are so calming and can even appear more effective. Some women even store their moisturizers and foundations in a makeup fridge. But whether or not you need a skincare mini fridge to preserve cosmetics, creams, and serums isn’t actually so cut and dry.

Quoting dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi in an article for NBC News, Bethany Heitman writes that “‘Keeping some skin care ingredients at cooler temperatures helps prolong their shelf life…Refrigeration can slow down the degradation of active ingredients, particularly antioxidants, and preservatives in skin care products, helping them maintain efficacy for a longer period.'” However, this is not true for all skincare and beauty products.

Writing for skincare brand Paula’s Choice, Shannon Steck and dermatologist Debra Jaliman explain. According to Steck and Jaliman, “Exposing skin care products to cold or hot temperatures for long periods of time can eventually ruin their formulas and can also cause color or textural changes, like separation.” While you can refrigerate masks and tools intended to de-puff, cool, or produce “sensorial effects,” storing skincare products at room temperature is better than placing them in a little fridge.

Which Products Can (and Should) Be Refrigerated?

The cooling effect can help reduce puffiness and dark circles more effectively than when eye creams and gels are stored at room temperature, so these are perfect for your mini fridge. The cooling sensation can help to constrict blood vessels under the skin, which reduces swelling. Plus, it gives that bright-eyed, awake look that we absolutely love before heading off to an interview or client meeting.

You might also store sheet masks in the fridge. The cooling effect not only feels soothing and refreshing but can also help to tighten the skin and reduce inflammation. Store chilled face mists and toners in your skincare fridge during the warmer months when you need an extra pick-me-up to keep your skin feeling fresh and revitalized.

You might also consider storing natural and organic products, as these often lack preservatives and are more prone to spoilage. Refrigerating these products can extend their shelf life and maintain their effectiveness. Check the labels on prescription and over-the-counter medicated creams and ointments, too, and they may also require refrigeration. Keeping these products cool can ensure their potency and effectiveness over time.

Which Products Should Be Stored at Room Temperature?

While refrigeration can benefit many beauty and skincare products, certain items should definitely not be refrigerated. Understanding which products fall into this category is essential to maintaining their efficacy and usability.

Water-Based Creams and Lotions

Water-based creams and lotions can become too thick and difficult to spread when stored in the fridge. The colder temperature can alter their texture, making them less effective and harder to apply. These products are formulated to be stored at room temperature, where their consistency remains stable and user-friendly. If refrigerated, they might not only become hard to use but could also separate, diminishing their overall effectiveness.

Oil-Based Products

Oil-based products, such as facial oils and cleansing balms, should also not be refrigerated. These products can solidify at lower temperatures, making them challenging to apply. For instance, coconut oil and other similar oils can turn solid in the fridge, requiring extra effort to warm them up before use. This not only makes them inconvenient but could also potentially degrade the product’s quality over time. Storing oil-based products at room temperature ensures they remain in their intended liquid or semi-liquid state, making them easy to use and effective.

Silicone-Based Primers and Makeup

Silicone-based primers and makeup should be kept out of the fridge as well. The cold temperature can affect their consistency and performance. These products are designed to create a smooth, even base for makeup application, and chilling them can cause them to become clumpy or less blendable. This can lead to an uneven application, defeating the purpose of using a primer in the first place. Keeping these items at room temperature ensures they maintain their intended texture and performance.

Powders

Powder-based products, such as setting powders, eyeshadows, and blushes, should also remain at room temperature. Refrigeration can introduce moisture into the product, causing it to harden or develop a film on the surface. This can make the powder difficult to use and affect its application. Additionally, the cold temperature can make the powder feel uncomfortable when applied to the skin. To maintain their usability and effectiveness, powders should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.

Final Thoughts on Keeping Skincare and Makeup Products in a Beauty Fridge

While refrigeration can extend the shelf life and enhance the effectiveness of many beauty and skincare products, it’s not suitable for all items. Water-based creams, oil-based products, silicone-based primers, and powders should be kept at room temperature to maintain their consistency, usability, and performance. Still have questions? Leave them in the comments below!

*The featured image for this post is Monogram Appliance’s Monogram 24″ Panel-Ready Double-Drawer Refrigerator
ZIDI240HII. Many thanks to Monogram from all of us at DesignDash!