A skin care refrigerator may look like a doll accessory, but it’s a super cute way to make your skin care products more effective. It can hold everything from eye creams to face masks to gua sha tools, and keeping it cool (but not too cold) increases its soothing (and depuffing) abilities tenfold. But it goes beyond that.
“Storing products like vitamin C serums, retinol creams, and eye creams in your skin care refrigerator can slow down the breakdown of the active ingredients and extend their shelf life,” says Hannah, a board-certified dermatologist at DermonDemand. Dr. Kopelman says. While it’s true that a regular refrigerator can also keep your skin care cool, Dr. Kopelman notes that regular refrigerators are often kept cooler than skin care refrigerators, which can cause “certain formulations to get too cold. The texture may change or application may become difficult.”
We asked dermatologists about their favorite skincare fridge recommendations, and we got the same answer over and over again. So below, we’ll detail just two of our best-selling picks that will make your skincare routine amazing and give you the best results.
Size: 11.4 x 10 x 13.4 inches | Temperature range: 35-150 degrees | Color: gold, pink, blue, black, pattern, pink, white | Features: Portable, provides cooling and heating.
All mini-fridges are obviously cute, but this one from Cooluli has a tempered glass front that makes it even more chic. We love that it has eight facades (including mirrors!) and that you can easily move the 8-pound refrigerator around the space with a small handle on the top. But the best part is that it not only keeps it cold, but also heats the product up to 150 degrees. Perfect for absorbing oil from your face and body faster.
Dr. Kopelman, like Dr. Anna Chacon, FAAD board-certified teledermatologist, appreciates Couli’s versatility. “It’s roomy enough to hold actual full-sized products inside, which is important, but still portable and lightweight. The shelves are removable, so you can fit the contents inside to fit items you want to keep cold or multiple items.” I like that the spacing is adjustable, and as a bonus, it has built-in door storage for extra space.”
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Size: 11.4 x 9.4 x 13.4 inches | Temperature range: 35-150 degrees | Color: gold, pink, blue, black, pattern, pink, white | Features: Portable, provides cooling and heating.
Skincare refrigerators can be a bit pricey, but Frigidaire is different. While it wasn’t specifically designed to be a skin care refrigerator, it does most of the same things in a stunning retro design (available in seven different colors). You can rest assured that the cooling part is made by a reputable refrigerator company.
Vice & Virtue advisor and board-certified dermatologist Neha Chandan, MD, MPH, FAAD, loves how lightweight and portable this refrigerator is (it even has a handle). “Removable shelves also allow you to store larger lotions and creams, making it versatile for different skin care needs,” she explains. It would be nice if it could heat products as well as cool them, like other skin care refrigerators, but it still has a lot to offer, especially for the price.
What to look for in a skin care refrigerator
Size: Although many are called “mini-fridges,” experts say you actually need something much smaller than your average mini-fridge. Please check the dimensions before purchasing to make sure it will fit on your counter, desk, vanity, or dresser without taking up too much space. Temperature settings: Skin care refrigerators have different temperature settings, but Dr. Kopelman says your refrigerator should be warmer. Because it can be stored at a lower temperature than a typical refrigerator (ideally between 40 and 60 degrees), the efficacy of the active ingredients can be maintained without changing the texture of the product. “Skin care refrigerators maintain a constant temperature range that is gentler than a standard refrigerator, making them ideal for maintaining the effectiveness of many skin care products,” says Dr. Chacon. Portability: Another thing to consider is how easily you can move these mini fridges. Lightweight options with handles are popular for travel, but if you plan on leaving it at home, portability may not be an issue. Many beauty refrigerators can also be connected to a car charger.
Meet our experts
Team Birdie collaborated with several experts to get the best insights on skin care refrigerators.
Dr. Hannah Kopelman, board-certified dermatologist and physician at DermonDemand. Dr. Martha H. Vieira, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami, Florida. Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD, Board Certified Teledermatologist Neha Chandan, MD, MPH, FAAD, Board Certified Dermatologist, Vice & Virtue Advisor
Why trust Birdy?
Allie Hirschlag is Byrdie’s Associate Editorial Director and regularly tests and writes about beauty products. She is not very keen on skin care and as she gets older, she is always looking for ways to make skin care products more effective. She loves her skincare refrigerator and recommends it to all her skincare-loving friends and family.
Grace Gavilanes is a contributing writer at Byrdie, covering beauty and skincare. She takes her daily skincare routine very seriously and values her skincare fridge.
According to our diversity pledge, 15% of our new market research products include Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publication, we were unable to find any skin care refrigerators manufactured by Black-owned or Black-founded companies. If you know of a product we should consider, please email us at [email protected]. We will evaluate the product as soon as possible.
