Today, we're answering a question that leaves a lot of people confused: "How do I store my skincare?"
This small question seemingly sends a lot of us spiralling into the depths of Google. Will the products tell me how to store them? Do I need to invest in a mini beauty fridge? Will a beauty fridge make my products last longer? Will my skincare products go bad if I leave them at room temperature?
It’s not hard to see why storing our skincare has us a little freaked out.
Beauty Fridges
In fact, this FAQ has spawned an entirely new beauty product within itself; the, admittedly, adorable Beauty Fridge.
With companies like Makeup Fridge, The Cosmetic Fridge, FaceTory and Estelle going all in on the ‘beauty fridge’, we thought it was high time to clarify - Is a beauty fridge merely an Instagram trend or is it, in fact, an integral part of your skincare routine?
For the most part, this trend is largely just an incredibly well-executed marketing gimmick. While we totally see the appeal of these aesthetically awesome little minis (baby blues and candy pinks forever!), their impact on your skincare is minimal.
When a new product is released, it goes through stability testing to ensure that the ingredients are stable and won’t decompose at room temperature. For more on this, tune intoEpisode 61of the Korean Beauty Show Podcast, which explores how your K-Beauty products are made.
Stability Testing of Skincare
Stability testing is a rigorous process. In order to pass, products must show that they will not lose their efficacy once opened. At a minimum, products must be able to withstand extreme heat, including at oven temperatures. These heats far exceeds that of your apartment on a hot Summer’s day (even if you do live in Queensland!)
This brings us to a good base rule: Unless the product was in the fridge when it was sold (like some probiotics at the Pharmacy), then there’s no need to store the product in a refrigerator later.
This is not necessarily the case for organic and natural formulas, because these sometimes skip out on commonsafetypreservatives. Products made without preservatives may need to be stored in the fridge. In general, these organic / totally natural formulas don't have great shelf lives anyway. They usually need to be used within a matter of months or they become unstable. If you are ever unsure, you can always check the label or ask the person who made the product.
How to Store Vitamin C Serums
Vitamin C serums are another category that can require a more stable temperature than that offered by our bathrooms. This isn’t the case for all Vitamin C serums however, just the ones that contain higher concentrations of L Ascorbic Acid or Pure Vitamin C.
For reference, the only product on STYLE STORY that you might want to pop in the fridge is our COSRX Vitamin C Serum . This contains 13% L-Ascorbic Acid.
Pure Vitamin C products like this one can just have a shorter shelf life if left at room temperature due to oxidisation.
Don’t have room in your fridge? A dark cupboard or a spot under the bed will work just as well. Just make sure you always screw the lid on tightly after each use.
How to Store Sheet Masks
Sheet masks don't need to be put in the fridge either. If you love the feeling of a cold sheet mask in summer then go for it. However, if you do choose to store them in the fridge, keep them in there. Fluctuating temperatures can lead to instability and potentially damage the integrity of the product.
TL;DR Do I Need a Beauty Fridge To Store My Skincare?
In a nutshell, no.
They're not necessary and the vast majority of properly formulated skincare products have been tested to withstand being stored at room temperature.
If you do choose to go down the Beauty Fridge route, experts say to set the temperature anywhere from 14 -18 degrees Celsius.
One thing we will say is this; like so many things we want in life that exist merely for a gimmick, the Beauty Fridge is not without a negative environmental impact. Apart from using much more energy than a regular fridge, these little fridges are also known to be difficult to recycle. If you are concerned about your carbon footprint then we would recommend giving your shelf some little extra love and skipping out on this skincare trend.
Still Confused?
If you are ever confused about how to store any of your beauty products then simply reach out to us at STYLE STORY. We are always happy to help answer your skincare questions, K-Beauty or otherwise!
"Like so many things we want in life that exist merely for a gimmick, the Beauty Fridge is not without a negative environmental impact. Apart from using needless energy, these little fridges are known to be difficult to recycle."
