There are certain beauty products that I've always kept in my fridge: Nail polishes (I've heard that it keeps the formula from drying out), eye masks (because they feel so much better when chilled) and my dermatologist-prescribed acne cream (because, well, you have to), to name a few. Aside from that, you'll find the rest of my beauty products in either my bathroom or bedroom.
Head to Korea, however, and you'll find mini makeup fridges in the homes of any woman who's even slightly into beauty products. Last year, they hit the mainstream in the West too, with mini fridges launching (and selling out) at Nordstrom and beauty influencers taking to Instagram in droves to sing the praises of beauty refrigeration.
But is there any actual benefit to keeping your skincare products in the fridge? It turns out, yes. Patricia Boland, skin specialist and lead product developer at Colorescience UK, decodes the beauty refrigerator craze and shares the skincare six products that you should move to your fridge right now.
The Science
"Alongside the feeling of a chilled product on your skin, a product that's been refrigerated will always be that much more effective at de-puffing and boosting the circulation compared to a room temperature one," explains Boland. "Once products get exposed to air, they also get oxidised. Refrigerating slows down the oxidation process and keeps them from becoming inactive."
The Trend
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We know that skincare fridges have been huge within the K-Beauty scene for a long time now, so why is it only now that the trend for keeping your skincare cool is moving to the mainstream?
"With the rise and rise of natural skincare brands like Lush and Tara Harper making their products in smaller batches and often without the use of chemical preservatives, refrigeration is a necessity," explains Boland. In fact, keeping your skincare in the bathroom like I do might not be the best thing. "The change in room temperature when you shower can alter the potency of your products," she says.
In contrast, by keeping your products in the fridge you might actually boost their efficacy. "Cold skincare helps to stabilise the actives, soothes and calms irritation in the skin… and helps to tighten the skin whilst refreshing [it]."
The Refrigerator Lineup
So should we all be rushing to store our entire beauty stash in our fridges? Not quite. According to Boland, there are six key types of products that would benefit from being kept cool.
"Sheet masks, face mists and serums are all suited for the chill and help with de-puffing. They will also help to boost radiance, bring down swelling and soothe the face after a facial or laser treatment," Boland says.
It's also important to think about the types of formulas you use, as "natural skin products [and] anything containing vitamin C will benefit from the preservative power of the cold."
The final product is actually a skincare tool. "A facial roller can help boost lymphatic drainage for a more sculpted and a firmer feel to your skin when chilled," Boland advises.
Best Served at Room Temperature
But while some skincare products will definitely benefit from being kept cool, Boland pointed out that there are some products that should be kept well away from your fridge.
"Makeup won't show any benefits from being refrigerated and can also become harder to use," she advises. "Any liquids like oils and solids like balms may separate or become too solid, so it's best to keep hem at room temperature. Fragrances will find a fridge too cold but steer clear of keeping them near the sun or in your bathroom."
Keep scrolling to shop some of my favourite fridge-friendly skincare products.
Sheet Masks:
Suffused with gently exfoliating glycolic acid, this sheet mask boosts luminosity in just 10 minutes.
This K-Beauty sheet mask contains green tea leaf extract and tea tree to calm inflammation and calm redness.
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Face mists:
Packed with peptides and skin-soothing actives, this lightweight mist enhances your skin's natural barriers to protect against pollution and daily stresses.
Containing live probiotics, keeping this spritz in the fridge keeps the good bacteria inside active for six months. Use this on your face and body and watch sensitive skin, oiliness and dry patches diminish. A wonder product.
Serums:
A powerfully rejuvenating serum, this concentrated formula contains a blend of African birch bark and tri-peptides to improve elasticity, firm the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Not only does this hydrating gel serum quench the driest of skins, but it also contains pineapple ceramides and vitamin B5 to add serious amounts of healthy glow, too.
Natural formulas:
An anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory spot treatment that unclogs pores and calms redness without relying on any harsh chemicals.
Slather this natural hydration mask on when you want dewy skin fast. It's enriched with beeswax and antioxidant seed oils to plump and smooth the skin and provide quick-fix radiance.
Vitamin C:
This potent blend of radiance-boosting vitamin C, moisturising hyaluronic acid and exfoliating salicylic acid is basically like a morning facial in a bottle.
This eye serum sinks in fast to reduce under-eye darkness and puffiness. Keeping it in the fridge will not only keep the vitamin C active but will also feel amazing to apply.
Face tools:
Although jade naturally maintains a cool temperature, popping this facial tool in the fridge will supercharge its ability to close pores and increase blood circulation.
Roll this over your skin to reduce puffiness, shift toxins and relieve tension in your face. It has the added benefit of firming and toning your skin at the same time.
Next up, these are the beauty tools a facialist actually wants you to use.
