Skincare Refrigeration 101- What Products Should and Shouldn’t Be Refrigerated?

Stop worrying about the freshness of your skincare products. A skincare refrigerator has become a popular must-have skincare accessory. The skincare fridge extends the life and efficacy of lotions, masks, makeups, and more so they are fresh, crisp, and potent. 

Nowadays skincare formulas carry high price tags. You want to keep them viable for as long as possible so you can reap the benefits. Skincare refrigeration is highly beneficial for skincare products that contain retinol, vitamin C, and benzoyl peroxide. 

The cooling fridge keeps products at a stable temperature which prevents the degradation of sensitive compounds. Also, the device helps protect the products from light. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore why a skincare fridge is a must-have choice if you love makeup, serums, facial masks, and more. After you find the perfect skincare refrigerator, it’s time to stock it. We’ll examine what products should and shouldn’t be refrigerated. 

Refresh Your Skin with Skincare Refrigeration 

Are you feeling the heat?  If it’s summer, your skin can sweat, which traps makeup and oils leading to breakouts. Keeping your skin cool can give your face a refreshed appearance that feels amazing. 

Storing products such as serums, toners, face masks, and creams in a skincare refrigerator also provides a soothing effect on your skin upon application. It can reduce puffiness and provide a calming effect. You’ll fall in love with the coldness during the height of summer or when the humidity levels spike.

Keep Your Skincare Products Organized 

A skincare refrigerator is not only functional but also offers organization. You’ll have a dedicated space to keep all of your items. With a multitude of shelves, you can store your skincare products safely away. They’ll be out of sight but within easy reach when you need them the most.  

What Skincare Products Should Be Refrigerated? 

Refrigerating certain skincare products can help extend their shelf life and increase their efficacy.  Now it’s time to start shopping for items to stock your skincare fridge. However, you are probably wondering what skincare products should be refrigerated. 

Here are some types of skincare items that benefit from cold storage: 

• Vitamin C Serums – Vitamin C is known for its instability. It quickly loses its potency when exposed to light and heat. Keeping a solution with vitamin C refrigerated helps maintain its potency and prevents oxidation.
• Retinoids – Like vitamin C, retinoids are sensitive to temperature and light. Many serums rapidly lose their potency when exposed to even a small amount of light. Refrigeration can help preserve the effectiveness of retinoids. Also, keeping the solutions in the dark helps prolong their potency. 
• Face Masks – You probably have a wide assortment of face masks. The best ones to refrigerate include those that contain aloe vera, cucumber, or other cooling ingredients, which can provide an extra soothing and depuffing effect when applied cold. Also, many people like DIY masks so having a fridge available means you can keep the formulas fresh and viable. 
• Organic and Natural Products – Products free from preservatives or made from natural ingredients are particularly prone to bacterial growth, so cooling them helps keep them safe. It can also extend their shelf life considerably.  
• Eye Creams – The cooling effect of refrigerated eye creams reduces puffiness around the eyes by constricting blood vessels. It offers a cooling, soothing effect that can prove highly beneficial, especially during allergy season. 
• Gel-based Products – Gel products feel more refreshing when chilled and can help soothe irritated skin when applied cold. If you suffer from irritation or a breakout then the cool product feels ideal. 
• Certain Toners and Mists – Those containing calming ingredients like rosewater or witch hazel are extra refreshing and soothe the skin when kept cold. 
• Benzoyl Peroxide – This acne treatment is another product that can benefit from refrigeration as it helps to keep the formula more stable and effective. The dry, itchy skin is soothed when you apply the cooled product. 
• Probiotic Skincare Products – Probiotics are living organisms that can die off when exposed to too much heat, so keeping these products in a fridge helps maintain their benefits.     

While many products benefit from refrigeration, you should always check with the manufacturer’s recommendations because not all formulations are designed to be stored at lower temperatures. 

What Skincare Products Should Not Be Refrigerated

While refrigeration can be beneficial for many skincare products, several types should not be stored in cold environments. Some ingredients and textures may be compromised by cold storage, so it’s important to be informed about each specific product.

Here’s a list of skincare items you generally shouldn’t refrigerate:

• Oil-based Products: Oils such as coconut, argan, or jojoba oil start to solidify when exposed to cooler temperatures. They become difficult to apply when refrigerated. This also applies to oil-based cleansers and some moisturizers.
• Thick Creams and Ointments: Refrigerating these can alter their texture, making them too thick and difficult to spread evenly on the skin. The solutions may even become chunky and start to separate. 
• Clay Masks: The cold can cause clay masks to harden, reducing their effectiveness and making them difficult to spread evenly over your skin. 
• Some Sunscreens: While it might feel refreshing to apply a cold sunscreen, refrigeration can affect the formula’s stability and efficacy.
• Waterproof Makeup: These formulas are designed to withstand moisture and may separate or change texture if kept in a cold environment.
• Products Containing Certain Waxes or Butters: Shea butter or beeswax may harden in the cold, which can alter their texture and functionality.
• Lash Glue and Other Adhesives: Cold temperatures can cause these products to become too thick, affecting their adhesive properties.
• Perfumes: Storing perfumes in a fridge can alter their chemical composition and potentially change their scent profile. It’s not uncommon for the ingredients to separate and the perfume to degrade. 
• Makeup Products: Most makeup products, like foundations, concealers, and lipsticks, do not require refrigeration and can be adversely affected by exposure to low temperatures, which may cause them to harden or separate. Lipsticks can start to crumble and break apart – not to mention they are almost impossible to apply when excessively cold. 

It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s storage instructions and consider the ingredients and formulations before deciding whether to refrigerate a skincare or beauty product. Generally, a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight is suitable for most skincare products.

Tips for Storing Skincare Products

• Check the Label: Always refer to the product label or manufacturer’s instructions for specific storage recommendations.
• Use Airtight Containers: Transfer homemade or perishable skincare products into airtight containers before refrigerating to prevent contamination and maintain freshness.
• Monitor Temperature: Keep your skincare fridge at a consistent temperature, ideally between 35°F to 45°F (1.7°C to 7.2°C), to ensure optimal preservation without freezing.

Conclusion

Refrigerating skincare products can be a convenient way to extend their shelf life and enhance their effectiveness, but it’s crucial to know which products can benefit from chilling and which ones are best kept at room temperature. By following these guidelines and understanding the needs of your skincare products, you can ensure they remain potent and efficacious for longer, helping you achieve healthy and radiant skin. If you’re in the market for a skincare fridge, checkout our recommendations, Top 16 Skincare Fridges in 2024.