Reader Question: do you know if storing nail polish in the fridge keeps it in better conditon?

(Normally I don't put my formspring answers up on my blog - instead they're usually up on my Twitter, Facebook, and of course my Formspring page, and I don't want to duplicate content too much. But I thought this question was interesting, so I just put it on my blog too, in case anyone else was wondering.)

I don't think it helps anything, because nail polish isn't like other cosmetics. Other cosmetics, especially creams or liquids, tend to go bad or go "off" after awhile because bacteria get into them and start multiplying there over time. This is why some people suggest putting some of your makeup in the fridge, because the cooler temperatures slow down bacterial activity (although it doesn't stop it complete, and it doesn't kill the bacteria inside). However, nail polish is different. The chemical composition of nail polish is such that it's a very unfriendly place for bacteria to live - in general, they just don't survive in the sea of chemicals found in our polish. So nail polish has very little bacteria compared to other cosmetics. So since there isn't much bacteria surviving in your nail polish, there really isn't any point putting it in the fridge, because nail polish doesn't go bad the way other cosmetics do. However, over long periods of time, the solvents in the polish will evaporate naturally, and the polish will thicken or dry up. This can be fixed by adding thinner to the polish. (A side note - it's thinner you want to add, NOT nail polish remover, which will mess up your polish!) I hope this helps you!

Ask me anything

4 comments:

AnonymousJune 29, 2010 at 1:58 PM
i wouldn't want to store my polishes in the fridge anyway. i don't think the cool temp will actually do anything to make it last longer.
SarahJune 30, 2010 at 3:10 AM
I used to work for a professional nail polish brand and they advised putting your nail polish in the fridge. I don't, though - but I do keep them in a cupboard. I used to keep them on my window sill and it didn't seem to do the consistency much good!!
MusicalhousesJune 30, 2010 at 6:00 AM
@Sarah: It could be that putting your nail polish in the fridge slows down the rate of solvent evaporation, so that's why they advised putting your polish there? But I think as long as your polish is tightly capped and not in an extremely hot place (which might make the solvents evaporate faster) it should be fine.
AnonymousJuly 2, 2010 at 5:35 PM
It's great that you posted this since I've heard this Q being asked around myself.

If polish needs to be refrigerated we would be buying refs, not helmers! :P

Thank you for commenting! I read each and every single comment! If you ask a question in your comment, please check back to this post, as I will reply in a comment to this post as well :) Please note that comments with soliciting links to shops or websites will be removed. Thanks!