Just like you wouldn’t keep your milk on the counter, you shouldn’t keep certain beauty products in your bathroom cabinets.
But which ones really need to be cooled? Debra Jaliman, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist in New York City and author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets From a Top Dermatologist, explains what to refrigerate.
1. Eye cream or gel
Many people wake up with puffy eyes because fluid can build up in the under-eye area while they sleep, especially if they’ve had a salty dinner. To get rid of under-eye bags faster in the morning, store your eye cream or gel in the refrigerator. The cold constricts the blood vessels, which reduces swelling.
2. Anti-itch cream
The body cannot feel itchy and cold at the same time, so if your skin is itchy due to an insect bite and you apply something cold to it, your body will feel a cooling sensation on top of the itch.
3. Sunscreen
After the summer, if you have a partially used or unopened bottle of lotion or sunscreen spray that you’d like to save, store it in the refrigerator. A warm environment will decrease the effectiveness of the SPF, which means it won’t protect your skin as well, if at all, the next time you use it.
4. nail polish
Sunlight and heat can cause formula to thicken and sometimes discolor. Keeping the polish in the fridge helps the paint stay thin so it applies evenly while retaining its true color.
5. Fragrance
If you keep your fragrance on your dresser and it’s exposed to too much light and heat, the chemicals will start to break down and make your previously amazing smelling perfume smell completely different.
6. Acne products
If your dermatologist gives you a prescription for an acne medication, such as Clindamycin or Tri-luma, check the label to see if it says to store it in the refrigerator. The formula will not be as effective if it is not stored correctly.
7. Lipstick
The lipsticks you wear every day don’t need to be chilled, but if your favorite shade is discontinued and you want to stock up, they’ll last longer if stored in the fridge. Otherwise, the heat could cause the chemicals to break down and break down over time, leaving you with a shade that doesn’t look like the one you bought.
8. Liquid Makeup
This includes everything from foundation to mascara to liquid eyeliner. These products have an expiration date once you open them. To make them last as long as possible, put them in the fridge. The same goes for products that you want to store unopened for an extended period of time.
8. aloe
Most likely you are using aloe because you have a sunburn. If you keep it cold, once you apply it to the burn, your skin will not be able to feel the terrible burning/itching/discomfort sensation that comes with burning your skin.
9. Natural beauty products
As the products that claim to be organic and natural do not contain the preservatives, parabens, sulfates, etc. that have other products to last longer, you have to keep them in the fridge so they don’t spoil. This not only extends its shelf life, but also prevents bacteria from proliferating.
