Nail polish is a staple in many people’s beauty routines. The array of colors and finishes available makes it easy to change up your look whenever you want. However, nail polish can go bad over time, causing it to thicken or discolor. This leads many polish lovers to ponder: is refrigerating nail polish the secret to keeping it fresh and usable longer?
Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions around refrigerating nail polish:
- Does refrigeration extend the shelf life of nail polish? Yes, keeping polish in the fridge can help it last longer before going bad.
- What temperature is best? Store nail polish in the fridge at around 35-45°F for optimal freshness.
- Should it be kept in the door? No, the temperature fluctuates too much in the door. Store it deep inside the main compartment.
- Does it need to be upright? Yes, keeping bottles upright prevents the polish from leaking.
- How long does it extend shelf life? Refrigeration can add several months to over a year of extra life compared to room temperature storage.
How Does Nail Polish Go Bad?
To understand if refrigeration can extend the life of nail polish, it helps to first look at why and how it degrades over time. There are a few key reasons nail lacquer can go bad:
- Oxygen exposure – Exposure to oxygen can cause nail polish to thicken and become gloopy. It also leads to discoloration.
- Temperature fluctuations – Changes in temperature, such as storing in a hot garage in summer or cold porch in winter, hastens deterioration.
- Sunlight – UV exposure can break down polymers in nail polish, altering its consistency and color.
- Contamination – Dirt, oil, and bacteria can get introduced into bottles over time, especially with repeated use. This speeds spoilage.
- Chemical breakdown – Key ingredients like solvents and pigments naturally degrade over months to years.
Keeping polish in a dark, temperature controlled environment can slow many of these degradation processes – which is exactly what refrigeration provides.
Does Refrigeration Extend Nail Polish Shelf Life?
Studies have not definitively proven whether refrigeration prolongs the shelf life of nail lacquer. However, evidence suggests it can help extend the life by 6 months to over a year compared to room temperature storage based on anecdotal reports.
There are a few key ways refrigeration aids in preservation:
- Low consistent temperatures – Fridge temps of 35-45°F slow chemical reactions that degrade ingredients.
- Minimal light exposure – Refrigerators are dark, blocking UV light that damages pigments.
- Moist environment – Humidity in the fridge prevents nail polish from drying out.
- Isolation – Keeping polish sealed in the fridge limits oxygen exposure and contamination.
However, some sources argue refrigeration has minimal effects, or even potential downsides like increased moisture leading to more bacterial growth. Proper sterilization of bottles is recommended to limit this risk.
What is the Ideal Nail Polish Fridge Temperature?
To maximize shelf life extension, the ideal temperature range to store nail polish is 35-45°F. Most household refrigerators run around 37-40°F, making the main compartment perfect for polish. Avoid keeping it in the door where the temperature fluctuates significantly during opening and closing.
Freezers are too cold for nail lacquer. The formulas could freeze and become unsafe to use if kept below 32°F over time. Refrigeration offers cool but above freezing temps that help slow degradation without freezing.
Where in the Fridge Should Nail Polish be Stored?
To get the full benefits of refrigeration, nail polish should be kept in the main compartment of the fridge. The temperature stays most consistent here versus the door shelves.
Store bottles upright and tightly sealed on interior fridge shelves. This prevents leaking and limits air exposure. It also keeps them out of the way of spills and contamination compared to door storage.
Make sure to clearly label bottles to avoid accidentally consuming them! Keep polish far away from any food or drinks. A separate plastic bin just for polish is recommended for organization and isolation.
Does Shaking Impact Nail Polish in the Fridge?
Vigorous shaking can actually damage nail lacquer, whether it’s refrigerated or at room temperature. The agitation can cause bubbles, separation, and
ingredient breakdown. However, refrigeration does make polish more prone to settling and separation since ingredients thicken in cool temps.
Gently roll or tip bottles upside down to mix polish from the fridge before use. Follow the brand’s instructions, but refrain from vigorous shaking. Let it come to room temperature before application for the best consistency and wear.
Pros and Cons of Refrigerating Nail Polish
Here is a summary of key pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to refrigerate nail polishes:
Pros
- Extends shelf life by 6+ months
- Maintains color and viscosity
- Minimizes temperature fluctuations
- Provides dark storage
- Limits oxygen exposure when sealed
- Keeps polish from drying out
Cons
- Could increase moisture and bacteria growth
- Requires vigilant labeling and organization
- May still need occasional tossing of turned polish
- More prone to settling/separation
- Condensation when removing from fridge
- May still degrade over time regardless
How Long Does Refrigeration Extend Polish Life?
Most nail polish has a shelf life around 1-3 years when stored at room temperature in a dark place. Refrigerating lacquer can often extend this by:
- 6-12+ months for traditional polish
- 2-3+ years for gel and “long-lasting” polishes
However, always do your own visual and smell inspections. Throw out any polish that smell foul, separates, becomes gloopy, or changes consistency. Erring on the side of tossing opened polish after these general time frames can help avoid wasting product that’s gone off:
- 1 year for traditional polishes
- 18 months to 2 years for gel/long-wear polishes
Signs Your Refrigerated Polish Has Gone Bad
Watch for these signs that refrigerated lacquer has gone off and needs to be discarded:
- Consistency changes – Becomes thicker and gloopy or overly thin and watery
- Settling – Pigment separates leaving clear liquid on top
- Discoloration – Usually a darkening from oxygen damage
- Dries out – Lacquer starts drying on the brush and edges despite refrigeration
- Weak smell – Smell becomes faint or chemical-like
- Foul odor – Rancid, sour, or rotten smell indicates spoilage
Remember that refrigeration only extends shelf life, it doesn’t prevent deterioration forever. Still inspect and toss old polish after 1-2 years max.
What About Refrigerating Nail Polish Remover?
Most nail polish removers are acetone-based and do not require refrigeration. In fact, the cool temps could cause remover to become thick or develop separation issues. It’s best to simply store in a dark cabinet at room temperature.
However, some gentle, acetone-free removers may benefit from fridge storage. These formulas tend to have more natural oils and moisturizers that could degrade faster. If you notice your gentler remover thickening up quickly, test whether fridge storage extends its life.
Storing Other Manicure Supplies in the Fridge
Nail polish tends to benefit the most from refrigerated storage out of manicure supplies. Here are tips for other items:
- Nail glue – Can extend life, but may thicken up with cold temps
- Press-on nails – Only if they didn’t originally require fridge storage
- Nail strengtheners – Seal tightly and refrigerate for extended life
- Cuticle oils – Store in fridge to prevent rancidity
- Nail files – No need to refrigerate these
Use your judgement and test items for performance at colder vs. room temps as needed. Proper sealing and labeling is always a must to avoid contamination.
Best Practices for Refrigerating Nail Polish
Follow these tips for safely storing and maximizing the life of refrigerated nail polishes:
- Keep bottles upright and tightly sealed
- Store in the main compartment, not door
- Use racks/bins to separate from food & drinks
- Label bottles clearly to avoid accidental ingestion
- Let polish come to room temperature before use
- Give a gentle roll, don’t shake vigorously before use
- Discard at first sign of deterioration
- Wipe down exterior of bottles to prevent “fridge funk”
- Consider permanent marker on bottle bottom for easier ID
The Bottom Line
Evidence suggests refrigerating nail polish can effectively extend its shelf life by 6 months to over 1 year compared to room temperature storage. The cool, dark, and isolated environment in the fridge slows down chemical degradation. However, it cannot prevent spoilage forever.
Monitor refrigerated polish closely and discard at the first signs of age like smell, consistency changes, and settling. With proper usage and storage practices, the fridge can help your favorite shades last longer and reduce waste – keeping your manicure options vibrant and plentiful.
