(Beauty)
Every Question You've Ever Had About Skincare Fridges, Answered
Anyone with eyes and an Instagram account has probably noticed a “cool” new trend slowly taking over the beauty space: The Skincare Fridge. The mini fridges, sold by brands like Cooluli and Mint and popularized by beauty editors (Allure’s Michelle Lee) and influencers (the girls of The Glossarray) alike, are supposedly the key to keeping products both preserved and primed for de-puffing. Experts say that skincare fridge products probably aren’t any better off than room-temp products, though — which is why I keep my fridge reserved for skin-healthy superfoods and beauty beverages, instead.
But wait!, you may be thinking. Doesn't refrigeration help extend the shelf life of unstable ingredients, like vitamin C? This is a popular argument, but according to Dr. Aanand Geria, a dermatologist with Geria Dermatology in New Jersey, a lower temperature won’t affect stabilization or significantly impact a product’s lifespan. On the contrary, he notes that oils and serums can solidify when chilled (at which point, they’re pretty much useless). “Other than a few minor benefits, there is little to no scientific reason behind refrigerating skincare products,” the dermatologist tells The Zoe Report.
Those “few minor benefits” include what Dr. Geria calls “the soothing effect:” When certain products, like face mists and sheet masks and jade rollers, are chilled, they can help calm irritation and itchiness. “Also, applying cool products can cause vasoconstriction, which essentially decreases puffiness and is especially helpful around the eye area,” he adds. (There aren’t any studies to back this up, the derm says, but it’s kind of common sense.)
That being said, your regular refrigerator can still be home to a little slice of skincare heaven. Ahead, all the beauty-boosting foods, drinks, and yes, skincare products I store in mine.
