How to properly store cosmetics

Have you been reviewing your makeup bag for a long time? If yes, then we advise you to do it right now. But first, read how to store creams, serums, and other beauty products. And what conditions are considered optimal for them.

General rules for storing cosmetics

Want to guess what’s on your bathroom shelf? At least cream, serum, washing gel, micellar water, tonic, enzyme peeling tube. And in the cosmetic bag are lipstick (three), mascara (two), foundation and BB cream, as well as blush, primer, highlighter … Pot, do not cook!

In general, there are a lot of cosmetics. And it’s good if each remedy is used and ends before the expiration date. It’s bad when there are too many jars. In this case, you inevitably postpone something for later, forget about something. And when you remember, the product may already be overdue.

Why is it all? In addition, it’s time to figure out: how much cosmetics can be used and how to store it correctly so as not to shorten its service life?

Have you been reviewing your makeup bag for a long time?

All beauty products have a certain shelf life.

  • Until the package is opened, the product retains its qualities and properties for exactly as long as the manufacturer claims.
  • After opening, when the tightness of the package is already broken, the shelf life decreases. When reacting with air inside the cream, processes of oxidation and bacteria reproduction, invisible to the eye, begin to occur.

That is why we advise you to pay attention to the following parameters when buying a product.

  • Manufacturing date. Usually indicate the month and year.
  • Expiry date. Be careful here: if the product is valid for less than 30 months, such information is indicated; if more than 30 months, manufacturers are not required to indicate an end date.
  • Open jar icon and indicating the number of months, for example, 6M, 12M, 24M. The number means how long the product can be stored after opening – no more than 6, 12 or 24 months, respectively.

As a rule, organic cosmetics have a shelf life of no more than 6 months after you start using them, while other skin care products have a shelf life of 12 to 24 months.

On the packaging of the product, look for an icon with an open jar and an indication of the number of months.

But even following all the manufacturer’s recommendations on the shelf life and use of cosmetics, it is important to understand that any cream, fluid, serum or foundation can deteriorate faster if stored improperly.

Now check if you are taking care of your skin properly.

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Is it possible to store cosmetics in the bathroom

The most convenient location for the beauty arsenal is the bathroom. There we start the day with washing, and we end there with night care.

But convenient doesn’t mean right. “Living conditions” for cosmetics there are not the most favorable:

  • high humidity;
  • frequent and sudden changes in temperature.

All this leads to the fact that creams can deteriorate ahead of time. Therefore, we suggest storing only shower gels, scrubs, shampoos and hair conditioners, as well as facial cleansers in the bathroom.

All beauty products have a certain shelf life.

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Can you store cosmetics in the refrigerator?

Another common misconception is about the benefits of storing creams in the refrigerator. This is not safe for the integrity of beauty formulas, and therefore for your skin, which will interact with these formulas.

Low temperatures transform the properties of the ingredients:

  • solubility;
  • structure;
  • particle sizes.

After cooling, the textures may delaminate, change color and smell.

Creams with SPF lose their properties most quickly under the influence of cold: crystallization of filters under the influence of low temperatures reduces their effectiveness.

Perhaps the only thing that can be put in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes before use is eye patches and a sheet mask. If you need to quickly refresh the skin and remove signs of fatigue.

Sheet mask “Moisturizing + comfort” with chamomile extract, Garnier

The mask, impregnated with a gel with chamomile extract, hyaluronic acid and moisturizing serum, instantly smoothes the skin, improves its tone and smoothes wrinkles. After using the product, the skin looks fresh and rested.

Place eye patches or a sheet mask in the refrigerator before use. © iStock

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Storing your skin care products

And now let’s take a closer look at how to store this or that remedy.

Cream

The best choice for jars of cream is the darkest place in the room (cosmetics organizer, box, container or cabinet with a door).

The optimum storage temperature is 15–25 °C. Hypothermia does not benefit the funds. You can put the cream in the refrigerator for only a few minutes if you need a tonic effect.

Night face cream “Active Lifting 45+”, Garnier

Contains rice proteins. Reduces wrinkles, makes facial contours more defined and skin firmer.

Facial cleansers

Cleansing products (gel, foam, mousse, scrub, peeling) can be stored in the bathroom. Make sure that the lid of the product is tightly closed after use. Otherwise, with high humidity and contact with warm air, a favorable environment for the reproduction of bacteria will be created.

Refreshing cleansing gel Pureté Thermale, Vichy

Suitable for use with very hard water – softens its action, perfectly copes with all types of pollution. After use, there is no feeling of tightened and dry skin.

Cleansing foam for dry and sensitive skin Crème Mousse Confort, Lancôme

The foam is suitable for very sensitive and dry skin. Rose extract and rosehip oil contribute to soft and gentle cleansing.

Facial scrub “Pineapple Papaya” Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub, Kiehl’s

The scrub contains the best exfoliating ingredients – pineapple and papaya fruit acids plus apricot kernel powder. They gently break down, exfoliate and remove dead cells from the surface of the skin.

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How to store decorative cosmetics

The main rule for storing decorative cosmetics is to ensure minimal contact with the skin (your fingers), as well as air and sunlight. In this case, the tool will last longer.

Consider buying a special organizer or a box with dividers – it is convenient to store shadows, lipstick, blush and powder in them so that they are always at hand.

Compact makeup products

Shadows, blush, powder can be stored for the longest time – this is the least “demanding” cosmetics, it has a fairly long lifespan. Just remember to wash your brushes, sponges and applicators with special cleansers.

Super Stay Compact Powder 24, Maybelline New York

The advantages of this powder are obvious: it makes the face radiant, mattifies, fixes makeup. The skin does not shine and looks fresh all day.

Foundation

Be more careful with him. If the product has a sharp, unpleasant odor, throw it away without regret – it is no longer suitable for use.

Infaillible Long Wear Foundation 24h Matte, L’Oréal Paris

It has a mattifying effect, does not interfere with the breathing of the skin, and thanks to the new formula allows you to create a very light make-up. A thin veil is almost not felt on the skin.

Pomade

Store it in a dark, cool place. Close the case well after each use to minimize contact with air.

An unpleasant rancid smell (even if the shelf life has not yet expired) indicates that the lipstick should be thrown away.

Close the case well after each use to minimize oxygen exposure.

Mascara

The shortest shelf life for mascara is only 6 months. By continuing to use it for longer, you run the risk of getting conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye caused by pathogenic bacteria.

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How to store nail polish

If you are a fan of manicure and collect polishes from limited collections, then most likely, new bottles are quickly crowding old ones off the shelf.

Now imagine this situation: you found in the bins the same color that blew up the catwalks two years ago, and you are going to paint your nails with it. Nothing will come of it.

Nail coatings live 1–1,5 years. Then the varnishes most often delaminate and it is no longer possible to use them.

Nail coatings live 1–1,5 years.

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How to prolong the life of cosmetics

Extending the life of any cosmetic product, if it is not expired, is within your power. To do this, you must follow a few rules.

  • After using the tool close tightly bank (tube, vial) to prevent air and microparticles of dust from getting inside.
  • Pick up face and eye creams with a special spatula or cotton swab.
  • Wash regularly spatula, brushes and makeup sponges to minimize the growth of bacteria in open jars/cases/bottles.
  • Store your cosmetics in a dark place, avoiding direct sunlight, at a temperature not exceeding 25 ° C.

Pick up the cream for the face and eyelids with a special spatula or cotton swab

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How to determine if a product is defective

Unsuitable cosmetics are hard to miss. She changes:

  • smell;
  • Colour;
  • consistency.

Even if the product looks perfect, but it’s time to throw it away, get rid of the expired product if you don’t want to expose yourself and your skin to unnecessary risks.

In European legislation, there is no concept of an expiration date, but the permissible storage time after opening the package is mandatory. Russian legislation does not provide for the need to specify the shelf life after opening. According to Tech. Regulation TR TS 009/2011 on the package must be written:

  • date of manufacture (month, year) and expiration date (months, years);
  • or the inscription “best before” (month, year) or “use until” (month, year).

There are separate products that indicate the expiration date of the product after opening the package and special storage conditions that differ from the standard ones. Standard storage conditions:

  • storage temperature for liquid products – not lower than 5 ° C and not higher than 25 ° C;
  • the storage temperature for solid toilet soap is not lower than minus 5 °C;
  • for the rest of perfumery and cosmetic products – not lower than 0 °С and not higher than 25 °С in the absence of direct exposure to sunlight.

For all company products L’Oréal expiration dates are indicated on the package (best before: month, year). And they are 3 years from the date of production.

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