How To Protect Your Products In Warm Weather
Super products are allowed to be seen. That’s why I like to have my beauty products on display in the bathroom. But be aware that direct sunlight can have a negative effect on cosmetics, particularly creams and lotions. Heat makes active ingredients instable. And you don’t, of course, want your skin to miss out on those valuable vitamins. How can you preserve your beauty secrets?
First and foremost: every cosmetic product is thoroughly tested for stability at a higher temperature. Each manufacturer has their own way of testing this. A much used method is to keep the product at a temperature of 45 degrees for three months. Or: as long as you don’t keep your products at 40 degrees or more for months on end, the product will probably not go off. But what happens to the products in a sudden rise in temperature is not tested and, what we do know for sure is that a rise in temperature reduces the effectiveness of many ingredients. Therefore it is so important that a manufacturer makes small batches of products, keeps them cool and properly packaged. Unfortunately, as a consumer, you have little control over that process. But you can, however, do things yourself to keep your products working.
Cleanser
I wouldn’t worry too much about your cleanser as these generally have little active ingredients. Perhaps the consistency becomes more runny in a warmer environment, but you don’t need to put it in the fridge. Unless you use a special cleanser with active ingredients, and here I mean a cleanser containing benzoyl peroxide, for instance. In this case, you should follow the instructions for use and choose a cool place to store.
Exfoliant, Toner
Substances such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid, in exfoliants, are not as heat sensitive as, for example, vitamin C and A. You don’t usually need to worry too much about the effects of heat on toners either. It depends, though, on which ingredients are used in your product..
Moisturiser
If using a product with active substances such as antioxidants, you are best off getting into the habit of keeping these in the fridge. Especially if you have a supply of the products. Then you know for sure that those expensive substances will keep and do their work in your skin. And what is nicer than applying a lightly cooled cream on your face on a warm summer day?!
Serum
Whether to keep your serum in the fridge depends a little on its consistency. Keeping it cool is better for the effectiveness of the active ingredients, but in the case of an oil based product, there is the chance that the texture will alter at a lower temperature. Look at what happens to olive oil if you put it in the fridge. The oil becomes thick, cloudy and often flakes appear. When you place it back in room temperature it returns to its normal state. Make sure that you, at least, keep your serum out of direct sunlight.
Oils
Oils do not react very well to heat and sunlight. They start to oxidise when exposed to high temperatures, which you can usually smell. The oils acquire a slightly rancid odour. The purest oils can only be kept for one to two years and if they are in a warm place this length of time can be reduced. Oils containing antioxidants, as a rule, last somewhat longer, but that won’t be much more than two years. Jojoba oil is one good exception, it keeps for around five years. It is no coincidence that this happens to be one of my favourites!
Sun cream
It sounds a bit strange but sun creams don’t react very well, at all, in warm temperatures and definitely not in sunlight. Furthermore, heat and sunlight can reduce the effectiveness of sun filters and that definitely applies to the chemical varieties. Notoriously instable sun filters are avobenzone and oxybenzone. Therefore it is important that you renew your sun products each year. If you have taken your bottle to the beach on numerous occasions you cannot be certain that the product will still provide the protection it states on the packaging.
Kind regards,
Jetske
Research Physician Cosmetic Dermatology
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