Could refrigerated skincare add bling to your skin?

Our aunties and tannies always placed their nail polishes in the fridge, claiming it ups their longevity. But according to the nail experts over at Nail It Mag, it helps to retain their pigment and viscosity, but we know it can also cause them to become quite hard and thick, which will hamper your chances of getting an even coat. 

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But what about eye cream, moisturiser, organic products and setting sprays - might it be a good idea to store them in your fridge?  

Jules da Silva of AllDolledUp beauty blog says, "The only other beauty product I keep in the fridge is my SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Masque, which I use after I have Dermapen and my face is on fire. It’s just extra cool and soothing that way. Also keep after sun [products] in the fridge for the same reason."

I know it's winter, but having a cooling face mist or eye cream placed or sprayed on your skin in the am might just add some sparkle to your face. Even if that sparkle is just a refreshed feeling in the form of relief, or added happiness. Like a slice of cucumber, it might just rejuvenate your eyes and face from their sleepy slumber.

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The Cut notes that with many skincare products, it's not necessary to place them in the fridge to keep active ingredients fresh; though it could help with maintaining "potent antioxidant activity and effectiveness". 

Interestingly, both Vogue and creator of the brand Carol's Daughter, Lisa Price swear by keeping your fragrance in the fridge in order to preserve its staying power.

Local dermatologist, Dr. Nomphelo Gantsho says, "Cosmetics are meant to be stored at room temperature. However, in winter warmer temperatures caused by heaters or air conditioner’s heat can break down formulas of moisturisers". 

So, if you do not have heaters in your house rather keep your moisturisers out of the fridge. Care products haven’t been tested for whether they can withstand cold temperatures and then return to normal when placed back at room temperature. So, keeping these products in the fridge in summer would make more sense because of the cooling effect on the skin on a hot day. But there are no other proven benefits. 

Which ingredients should be kept cool?

Certain products are more susceptible to harm from sunlight. For example, wearing retinol during the day is never advised as it could lead to pigmentation. Dr. Gantsho says “Pigmentation is a dynamic condition. Pigmented facial skin is more common in people with Fitzpatrick prototype IV to VI (Asian, mixed race and African), but it can affect anyone."

(So, even extra care must be taken if you have this skin type.)

Vogue says that temperature-caused destabilisation occur in some products because of its ingredient makeup. Be sure to keep ingredients like antioxidants, i.e. ascorbic acid (found in vitamin C serums), retinol, benzoyl peroxide, DHA and preservative-free products, like organic products in a cool place. (Not necessarily refrigerated.)

Dr. Gantsho also notes that "If you decide to refrigerate your care products it’s important that you know their ingredients, as not all the ingredients are safe to refrigerate". Some ingredients may change texture when placed in the fridge, and may be more difficult to apply. So know where to draw the line.

"Cold temperatures slow down the degradation of moisturisers with retinol (vitamin A) and vitamin C. Also vitamin C is better protected against oxidation when kept in the fridge.

"If you have an oil-based moisturiser, be careful as the cold can cause the oil and wax to separate over time, extremely cold temperatures can be just as harmful to your products as heat. Moisturisers that have both oil and water might turn cloudy when refrigerated and water and oil may also separate in cold temperatures. When this happens, there is a chance that your product would not return to its original state, and that means your moisturiser will be ruined."

What about organic products?

Natural products are preservative-free or contain natural preservatives, so it could be more advisable to keep products such as organic moisturisers in the fridge to protect the properties of natural plants and essential oils from light damage.

"If a cosmetic does not contain preservatives, it is unlikely that refrigeration will prolong it’s life. Throw away if the product is expired, follow the expiry date printed.

"If you are not sure what your moisturiser contains, then it is best not to store it in the fridge unless directed by the product usage," says Dr. Gantsho.

But, ultimately, there are really no skin benefits associated with chilled products. Cooler doesn’t mean better.

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