The answer isn’t so clear-cut: While a few products could benefit from a little chill, you don’t really need to refrigerate any of them. It might prolong the shelf life if the product is sensitive to light, temperature, and air, but it won’t make the ingredients any more potent than they already are. The main reason people chill their products is because of the lovely cooling sensation (which is valid!). Again, it’s not completely necessary, especially because many products are already formulated to be shelf-stable. Check the packaging: If it’s in an opaque, airless container (as it should be), storing your serum in a room temp, dark place will suit you just fine. Chilling your masks is also a great tip for post-treatment relief: “It’s especially beneficial after a laser treatment and will help inflammation and calm down redness due to the cool temperature,” says celebrity medical esthetician Celeste Rodrigues. Just make sure the mask is chilled, not frigid: A too-cold sensation can shock the skin and actually cause extra redness, even broken capillaries. Just be sure to seal in any face mist with an occlusive agent like a cream or oil to seal in the moisture; chilled or not, face mists can evaporate and leave your skin even drier than it was before. The under-eye area, in particular, can benefit from that cooling sensation; the area is most vulnerable to puffiness and signs of aging, which is why Rodrigues keeps her under-eye wands in a mini-fridge for a refreshing under-eye treatment. Aside from the skin care benefits, it’s a nice sensation: “There hasn’t been one client who hasn’t commented on how amazing it feels,” she adds. But again, just as how you wouldn’t want to splash your face with frigid water, you don’t want to roll an icy facial tool on your skin—a too-cold stone can shock the skin and cause even more redness. That said, it definitely can’t hurt. As a general rule, refrigerate the products that are already super hydrating and cooling: Adding a little chill might make the experience more enjoyable—even a little more spa-grade, if that’s what you’re after.
