We spoke to our lead Cosmetics Chemist, Lexie, to gather her expert opinion on the best ways to store makeup. Some of these were a surprise for us, some not so much. Keep reading to get the scoop!
Storing your makeup in the right conditions is key to keeping your product lasting overtime. It is important to always read the product label to see if there is a suggested storage condition for a product. Some products contain sensitive ingredients that require specific storage conditions, and this varies by product. On the other extreme, leaving your makeup in the hot car in the summer can cause melting and deformation of lipsticks. Storing certain products in direct sunlight can cause colour fading and changes to the product. The general rule of thumb is to keep your products in a dry, room temperature setting and out of direct sunlight.
Did you know...
All cosmetic and makeup products are typically tested in different conditions prior to their release to market. Cosmetic chemists will stability test products in elevated temperature as well as stress test the products with extreme temperature changes to observe the results. Testing products in different conditions helps provide insight on their overall stability and makes sure they can withstand different conditions. Regardless of these tests, it is still necessary to observe the recommended storage conditions if indicated on a product.
For example, our Complexion Pencils contain coconut oil which has a low melting point. Coconut oil helps the pencils glide smoothly during application. Keeping these in a cooler environment --below 30C--can help prevent melting, keep them in shape and give you the best results.
It is important to also observe the period after opening (PAO) of the products which highlight the life of the cosmetic product in optimal conditions after it has begun to be used. The PAO on cosmetic products generally ranges between 6 to 24 months depending on the product. You can find this information by looking at the open jar symbol with the number on the package.
The Sustainability Impact
Wrong storage of products can shorten their life further than what’s stated on the package. Keeping your products in the right conditions not only helps maintain their function, it ensures they last throughout their expected lifespan. This is the key to sustainability. When products are stored in unfavourable conditions, they can have a shorter lifespan and need to be discarded sooner which, you guessed it, contributes to landfill and over usage of resources.