The perks of living alone are endless: No one drinks your milk, the only messes that exist are the ones you make, and every inch of closet space is yours. But at the top of my list of reasons I dig living solo is the fact that I’m able to be dedicate one entire shelf in my fridge to skincare. That’s right—the very top shelf on the door of my refrigerator is packed to the gills with my tried-and-true skincare favorites, plus a few newbies I’m currently testing.
Initially, storing sheet masks and gel moisturizers in my fridge was just an easy way to keep myself cool in the summer. (There’s nothing more satisfying than applying a chilled moisturizer when there’s 1000 percent humidity.) But I’ve since learned that having your fridge double as storage space is actually a great way to get the most out of your products for even more beauty benefits. You just have to know which ones to pop in there. Here, a breakdown of the best skincare goods to keep chilled—just don’t mistake your moisturizer for mayo!
Eye Creams and Patches
“The best products to keep in the fridge would be the ones that help shrink tissues or constrict blood vessels,” says Debra B. Luftman, MD, a California-based dermatologist. Depuffing eye creams like the Whamisa by Glow Recipe Chai Tea Eye Cream ($26) spiked with caffeine and brightening patches like Wish Formula’s Panda Eye Essence Mask ($2.50) are exactly the types of products that do this. “After being in the fridge, they have added benefits because the coolness helps reduce swelling and constrict dilated blood vessels that cause puffiness and dark rings to look worse.” While all eye creams will get a little kick from being in the fridge, Dr. Luftman says that gels (we like Blossom Jeju Pink Camellia Soombi Blooming Eye Gel Cream,$58) make the biggest difference since they can hit a lower temperature than their heavier, creamy counterparts.
Gel Moisturizers
Speaking of gels, Dr. Luftman says that any moisturizer or mask with a gel or jelly-like texture (think Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer, $39, and Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask, $45) will also perform better if left in the fridge. Like the eye gels, the chilly solutions will help depuff, soothe irritation, flush fluid better, and reduce the angriness of a pimple. “It will also increase moisturization,” Dr. Lufman says, by calming any swelling and inflammation on the surface of your skin that may prevent ingredients from penetrating properly. Plus, the feeling of smoothing on a refreshingly cold moisturizer first thing in the morning should not be undersold—it’s a surprisingly effective, caffeine-free way to wake up!
Sheet Masks and Toners
Real talk: Unless it’s a product that specifically touts soothing like the Watermelon Glow Jelly Sheet Mask ($8) or firming properties like the Make P:rem Double Layer Firming Mask ($7), sheet masks and toners won’t necessarily work better when kept in the fridge. They do, however, feel better, which is always a nice experience when it comes to skincare. In fact, that’s the whole concept behind the skintertainment trend: Actually enjoying your skincare routine, so it feels indulgent and self-care-y, not like a chore. And let me tell you, refrigerated toners and sheet masks feel freaking indulgent, especially if you’re dealing with any redness or irritation. Good news if you’re using a gel-formulated mask or a jelly sheet mask—the cooler temps will absolutely help noticeably constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling in your skin.
Anti-Aging Products
No, popping your anti-aging products in the fridge won’t turn them into superheroes that magically erase every wrinkle and fine line you’ve ever gotten. What it will do is keep your products from breaking down as quickly, so they’re more effective for longer. “Cool temperatures can extend the shelf life of some products,” Dr. Lufman says. “Formulas with vitamin C [like Wish Formula I’m Pro Vitamin C Ampoule Pad, $4, and Leegeehaam Hope 5a Control Cream, $34] are notoriously unstable and should stay in cold temperatures to slow down the degradation of their active ingredients.” This doesn’t mean that these products will last forever if you keep them on ice. But they’ll last as long as they should, which means you’ll be getting just as effective results in month two that you did on the first day you opened it.
Ready to cool things down? Tell us how you store your products in the comments below!
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6 Comments
I have many products that I refrigerate, mainly some of the ones mentioned here. Especially the water gel moisturizers and eye products and anything that is watermelon related. It just feels so cooling and soothing on my face. I want to get a travel refrigerator for my dressing room.
Are liquid toners okay to put in the fridge? I use a Beige Chu toner, this one here: http://en.chuu.co.kr/product/beige-chuu-501-toner/21977/ I honestly don't even know what is in the toner considering I cannot read Korean. I read an article awhile back saying that if you have no idea what is in your skincare product, then it is best to not put it in the fridge. So I am a bit stumped. I'm looking towards to purchasing a cute mini fridge for my skin care soon, so I want to know which exactly, like type of skin care products can be put in the fridge. I don't want to mess up any of my products due to the cooler temperature. This blog was great in explaining some that are okay to put in the fridge. But what about any oils (facial oils/ampoules/serums/essence) or LIQUID type toners?
Excellent site you have got here.. Very quality writing..I really appreciate people like you! Take care!!
Well, good to know, but it's nothing that a student/person living in a shared flat could ever practice. There's already so little space in the fridge to begin with.
I keep my extra foundations in the fridge too!! Any cream product really, whether it's makeup or skincare!
My husband finally purchased a small dorm like refrigerator (no freezer) and plugged it in our bathroom. Now all my creams, masks and liquid toners are chilled and I'm loving it! Ohh and my jade roller, too.