Will my skin care products go bad if left in the cold?

Author: Eldridge Reichel  |  Last update: Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Extreme cold temperatures can potentially affect the stability and efficacy of growth factors and peptides in skincare products, including skin serums. However, the degree to which they may be affected depends on various factors, including the specific ingredients, formulation, and packaging of the product.

Can skincare be left in the cold?

It's perfectly fine! Makeup and skincare actually lasts much longer when store in cooler temperatures, which is why alot of folks have little mini skin care fridges to store their serums and stuff. It's the heat you have to worry about :)

What happens if skincare products freeze?

``According to Frey, extremely cold temperatures can be just as harmful to your products as heat. Emulsions like lotions, creams, and conditioners in particular become very unstable if partially frozen and later thawed''

Does temperature affect skin care products?

High temperatures can cause skincare products to break down, leading to changes in texture, consistency, and even color. This can compromise the product's effectiveness and may even render it unusable.

Will my skincare products go bad if they're left in the heat?

Most of the time, the concern is that storing a cosmetic or skincare product too warm, will accelerate (whatever degradation process gives the product its shelf life), or that heat could cause some emulsified ingredients to separate.

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What skincare should not be refrigerated?

Oils: Natural oils like jojoba, argan, or rosehip oil should not be refrigerated as the cold temperature can cause them to solidify or thicken, making application difficult. Creams and Lotions: Most creams and lotions, including body lotion and silky body milk, are formulated to remain stable at room temperature.

Does cold weather ruin makeup?

Just like your skin, cosmetics are affected by the cold. Wax-based products might harden, and some types of creams tend to thicken or become slippery. Ask your Brunet beauty expert about which products are best for your skin type and the season.

Are cold temperatures bad for skin?

Cold temperatures can cause skin disorders or frostbite in some people. See a doctor immediately if you develop color changes in your hands or feet accompanied by pain or ulceration. If you develop extreme pain followed by loss of sensation in a finger or toe, you may have frostbite.

Is skincare better cold?

To help preserve the longevity and efficacy of your skincare products, however, the general advice, is not to keep them in a fridge, but to store them at room temperature, away from windows where sunlight has the potential to screw them up. And if your bathroom or bedroom gets pretty steamy in the summer? Not a biggie.

What happens if makeup freezes?

Liquid foundation will get damaged. According to makeuptalk, most foundation is made with water, which obviously will freeze and ruin the consistency. Any gel,cream or liquid based makeup's will not thaw the same way they froze and you'll end up tossing them.

Is it okay to leave makeup in a cold car?

COLD PROTECTION - When traveling to a cold climate or simply leaving make-up in the car, can cause them to crack, can thicken and change the formular entirely resulting in cosmetics expiring quickly.

Can you keep skincare in the fridge?

This can depend on the product's consistency. If your face moisturizer has a thicker consistency, it is ideal to store them in a cool, dry place and as storing it in the fridge can alter its texture. If it is a gel-based moisturizer, it is safe to keep it in the fridge for that extra cooling sensation.

Is sunscreen still good if it freezes?

Great news! If your sunscreen arrived frozen in the mail, you can still use it without compromising its effectiveness.

What happens if skin care products freeze?

Avoid Freezing Temps, Too

According to Frey, extremely cold temperatures can be just as harmful to your products as heat. Emulsions like lotions, creams, and conditioners in particular become very unstable if partially frozen and later thawed.

When should you throw away skin care products?

Skin care products generally remain “good” for six months to three years: Cleansers, body washes and scrubs: 1 year. Toners: 6 months to 1 year. BHA or AHA exfoliants: 1 year.

Is it OK to do skincare with cold water?

Temperature Considerations

Cold water can enhance the effectiveness of skincare products by tightening pores and promoting better absorption.

Will my skin care products go bad if left in the heat?

Extreme temperature and sunlight can result in the breakdown, oxidisation, curdling, or melting of formulations. If the product contains active ingredients, those actives become less effective - a good example is Vitamin C. This skincare superstar quickly becomes unstable in heat which reduces its potency.

Which skincare products should not be used together?

Retinoids don't combine well with AHAs, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or vitamin C due to potential stability issues and skin sensitivities, and soap-based cleansers can also reduce vitamin C's skin benefits.

What's the point of a skincare fridge?

The cold helps ingredients stay potent for longer—especially antioxidants, growth factors and peptides—as well as extending their shelf life.” When a skincare label instructs you to keep your product in a “cool, dark place,” a skincare fridge instantly ticks both boxes.

Is it better if your skincare is cold?

Are there skin benefits to refrigerating skin care products? We'll be blunt: for the majority of skin care products, there are no benefits associated with storing them in the refrigerator. In fact, doing so hurts more than it helps. Board-certified dermatologist Dr.

What temperature damages skin?

When the basal layer of the epidermis reaches 44°C, burn injury occurs. For superficial dermal burns, the rate of tissue damage increases logarithmically with a linear increase in temperature. Beyond 70°C, rate of damage is so rapid that interpretation can be difficult.

Can I use vaseline on my face?

But hold on, can you put Vaseline® products on your face? The frequently asked question has a simple answer: Yes! Vaseline® products, including Vaseline® Original Healing Jelly, are absolutely safe for your skin. The Vaseline® Jelly is non-comedogenic, which means it does not block or clog your pores.

Is mascara still good if it freezes?

Just like crayons, that new lipstick can also melt into a waxy puddle in your hot car. And other cosmetics, like mascara, can become unusable if they freeze – even after they thaw back out.

What temperature is too cold for makeup?

Liquid Makeup

When storing, you will want a temperature range between 50°- 60°F to ensure that the product is not so cold that it causes the ingredients to separate and/or harden. Pay careful attention, however, to the expiration date, as well as the makeup color and texture, to ensure that you are replacing as needed.

Why does my makeup look bad in the winter?

As the temperatures drop, you may find that your skin is starting to feel drier, thanks to the lack of moisture in the air—which can cause matte foundation to end up looking a little cakey on dry skin.

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