Even for the most well-seasoned beauty addict, skincare can be a little confusing. From vitamin C serums to daily peels and hyaluronic acid boosters, there are a lot of options out there. Finding a daily regime that works for you and your skin concerns is no easy feat. (We’re pretty fond of AMPERNA® – although, we could be a little biased.)
Once you’ve settled on a routine, you want those products to stay as fresh as possible, for as long as possible. Which begs the question: How do I properly store skincare products during summer? And where do the cosmetic packaging symbols come into it?
Keep Everything Out of Direct Sunlight
Moisturisers, toners, serums, you name it – absolutely all beauty products should be kept out of direct sunlight and high temperatures. As AMPERNA® founder Kiri Yanchenko explains, “Long-term exposure to warm environments like a car and even a makeup bag can cause changes in texture or separation.” And that’s just a warm environment – direct sunlight increases this risk tenfold. “If you leave AMPERNA® products in the hot Australian sun, bacteria can start to grow and alter the structure of the product, rendering it useless.” Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Skincare in all its forms, including the AMPERNA® range, should be stored under 30 degrees Celsius. During an Australian summer, rooms can heat up pretty quickly; on one of these scorching hot days, make sure all products in a cool, dark place. “I store my products in a dark drawer in the bathroom away from sunlight,” Kiri explains. “You should try to pick the coolest place in the house, which is sometimes your bathroom or a bedroom cupboard. If you are worried about the place that you pick not being cool enough, try monitoring a few places with thermometers.”
Some Products Last Longer (and Perform Better) in Cool Temperatures
Did you know that perfumes should be stored in the fridge? The same thing goes for nail polish. A cool environment preserves the integrity of the formula, making it last longer.
When it comes to skincare, if you store face mists, serums, sheet masks and jade rollers in the refrigerator, they become more efficient at de-puffing the face and reducing the appearance of under-eye bags. “I actually enjoy having my two AMPERNA® serums in the fridge during summer because I love applying cold serums in the Australian summer,” Kiri says.
But let the record show, “AMPERNA® products can all be stored in the fridge for short periods of time; however, you will see a slight change in texture because of the cold.” As Kiri clarifies, “Our products are meant to be kept at a consistent room temperature or below.”
Check the Symbols on the Back of Your Cosmetics’ Packaging
There are numerous symbols that can be found either on the bottom of your skincare bottles or on the label. These symbols relate to a number of things from the products’ shelf life to the manufacturing process and ethics of the company who created them.
A few key symbols to look out for:
PAO (Period After Opening)
Once opened, your products all have a limited shelf life; it varies depending on the brand, the ingredients and the packaging. The PAO (Period After Opening) symbol outlines the amount of time you have to use the product after you’ve commenced using it. If you direct your eyes to the back of all AMPERNA® bottles, you’ll find the POA symbol in the bottom left corner, just below the ingredients list. All AMPERNA® products can be used for 12 months after opening; however, they remain stable for up to 24 months, when unopened and stored in a cool, dry place and out of direct sunlight.
Refer to Insert
If you ever see this picture of a tiny booklet and a hand, it means the product you have purchased comes with a guide of important information, including warnings and ingredients. The guide could be attached to the product itself or in the box. Read it! You won’t regret it.
Best Before Date
Have you ever seen this symbol? The hourglass symbol signifies that your product has a life span of less than 30 months. Sure – thanks a pretty significant amount of time but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re pulling an old product out from the back of your bathroom shelf.
Recycling Arrows Triangle
This symbol, also known as the ‘chasing arrows’, can be found on a number of cosmetics, including all AMPERNA® products. It indicates that the packaging is recyclable. AMPERNA® takes environmental issues very seriously and we urge you to recycle our plastic bottles in a responsible way.
