Do I need to refrigerate my skincare products?
Tiny, candy-colored “skincare fridges” seem to be showing up on everyone’s bathroom counters, but does this mean that you need to keep your products in the refrigerator? If you are like our patients, you have invested in a regimen of science-backed, medical-grade skincare products—so this question is an important one!
Below, we explain which products should always be kept at room temperature, as well as which products can (or should) be refrigerated. Pro tip: Your kitchen refrigerator works just as well as a beauty fridge!
Skincare products & tools to keep in the refrigerator
Certain formulas may benefit somewhat from being kept in the refrigerator, while other products are fine to keep chilled if you simply prefer them to be cold for application. However, not everything from your bathroom cabinet can be safely refrigerated, so it’s important to understand which cosmetic products are okay to refrigerate.
Here is a list of skincare products you may want to refrigerate:
Products that contain antioxidant vitamin C, retinol, or benzoyl peroxide for acne. All of these active ingredients lose their effectiveness over time, especially when exposed to heat and light, which refrigeration can protect against. While this isn’t necessary, it may be especially wise to refrigerate your products if you live in a warmer climate to be sure to get their full benefits.
Facial tools. To enhance your face mask, jade roller, or gua sha experience, refrigerate them for a de-puffing and soothing effect. Applying these to the skin when chilled can also help with redness, including redness from acne.
Creams or gels for the eye area. Refrigerating your eye creams can temporarily amplify their depuffing effect.
Water- and aloe vera-based skin care. Water-based skincare is generally considered safe to store in the fridge, and it may help to preserve its lifespan. This may include facial mists and sprays or toners.
Moisturizers or lotions for eczema or rosacea. Itchy, inflammatory conditions (even bug bites!) may benefit from a chilled lotion or cream, since applying a cool lotion can decrease itchiness and control redness by constricting blood vessels.
Prescription or over-the-counter products that require refrigeration. Look at your products’ labels to see whether they should be refrigerated; especially check for any products that contain retinol or tretinoin.
Homemade or DIY products. These typically contain food ingredients and should always be stored in a refrigerator. (Also, be sure to talk to your aesthetic medical provider to ensure your homemade treatments or products will not be harmful to your skin.)
In sum, refrigeration may help some kinds of skincare products to last longer or provide a soothing, cooling experience when using them. But refrigeration is not likely to make a substantial, visible difference to your results when using products, nor is refrigeration always necessary with today’s advanced, stable formulas.
Today’s skincare products are tested for stability and formulated by cosmetic chemists to be stable at room temperature, so a beauty fridge is not necessary.
What will make a greater difference to the appearance of your skin is choosing physician-grade skincare (rather than over-the-counter products) and developing a personalized treatment plan that truly meets your skin’s needs. This is best done in consultation with your plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Beyond that, simply keep your products fresh: remember to look for an expiration date and/or period after opening symbol, which offer reliable measures of a product’s shelf life.
Dr. Aboutanos’ very own mini skincare fridge!
Avoid these skincare refrigeration missteps
Do not put any oil-based creams, serums, or cleansers in your fridge, since the emulsified ingredients could separate in colder temperatures. Also be wary of removing products from the refrigerator for an extended period of time once they have been refrigerated. Wide fluctuations in temperature could damage the formulation, so once a product is refrigerated, keep it there!
Also be advised that you should never put skincare tools or cosmetics in the freezer. Face rollers and gua sha tools feel nice on skin when they are refrigerated, but freezer temperatures are too extreme for delicate facial skin.
About board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sharline Aboutanos in Richmond, VA
Dr. Sharline Aboutanos is a female plastic surgeon in Richmond offering a range of services and procedures, from Richmond medical-grade skin care products to customized plastic surgery. Together with our licensed master aesthetician, Dr. Aboutanos is here to provide sound aesthetic advice to help you reach your goals and feel your personal best every day with scientifically proven products and techniques. To learn more or schedule a consultation with Dr. Aboutanos, call 804.355.3410 or contact us online.