Do You Need A Fridge for Your Skincare?

ICYMI: skincare fridges are pretty much exactly what they sound like: tiny (way mini-er than mini) fridges packed with masks and moisturizers taking residence in bedrooms or bathrooms all over the ‘gram. On the one hand, a mini fridge for your beauty products is certainly adorable and photo-worthy—on the other, is it necessary? We spoke to a top dermatologist and esthetician, plus the maker of a skincare fridge herself to get the scoop.

You can almost imagine the pleasant cooling sensation of a sheet mask applied straight out of the fridge just by thinking about it. It’s an undoubtedly nice sensation—especially on a hot day. However, according to dermatologists and other experts, it’s not necessary. “Products go through stability testing when they are produced, but for most products it is to guarantee stability at room temperature,” says dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner. That said, storing most products at cooler temperatures—especially your basic hydrating products like moisturizers, probably won’t do any harm either. Celebrity esthetician and founder of the eponymous range, Renee Rouleau concurs: “There is no reason to refrigerate your products unless they are not properly preserved or are poorly stabilized,” she says, and as Zeichner explained—products are tested for stability before they’re on the market. He is more hesitant about active ingredients, on which he notes, the effects of cooler temperatures are unclear.“If a brand indicates that a product does not contain emulsifiers or preservatives, it generally won’t last longer than a few weeks. If you decide to use a product formulated like this, a product should be refrigerated at the point of sale because the cold can help increase the stability.” Rouleau explains. And yet, on the other hand, there is a reason that you see some estheticians employing tools like ice globes—“Cold temperatures help reduce inflammation in the skin, constrict blood vessels, and clear excess fluid and puffiness,” Zeichner explains.

Ultimately, keeping things like skincare accessories (sheet masks, under eye patches, a jade roller, a face mist, and maybe a moisturizer) in a beauty fridge can be a sensorial treat. “I do believe it's important to take the time to pamper yourself – I’m passionate about skincare and the skincare community, and doing my self-care routine is something I look forward to each and every day,” explains founder and CEO of Makeup Fridge, Ilona Safonova. All this, she explains, made it “even more exciting to create a product that elevates the daily routine for many others.” Safonova enjoys applying her eye cream straight from her fridge, because, she explains, it “temporarily reduces eye bags and it’s also a great way to help wake you up in the mornings.” Of course, you can probably fit a few of those products and tools in your regular fridge—so ultimately, the choice is yours. But if you can spare the counter space, why not?