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New York Times
09-05-2025
- Health
- New York Times
There Are Plenty of $5 Makeup Sponges at the Drugstore. This Is Why We Stand By the Original $20 Beautyblender.
Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter The sponge is made from a latex-free polyurethane foam, which gives it that flexible, comfortable feel when it hits the skin. To use a Beautyblender, you dampen the sponge, squeeze out excess water, then, as the brand suggests, 'bounce' the sponge across your foundation, concealer, powder, or any other complexion product (though not eyeshadow or lip products). That bounce is one of the features we loved most. Other sponges we tested, such as the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge, have densely packed foam that hits the skin. But the Beautyblender is airy and light when it's wet, touching the skin like a soft cushion, even on sensitive areas like the undereyes. When dampened, the foam expands enough to cover a few inches of skin at a time, speeding up the application process, but it doesn't grow to the size of a monster sponge. Others we tested got so large we couldn't fit the tip into all the nooks and crannies of the face. Beyond the nitty-gritty of shape and feel, the sponge outperformed its look-alikes for everyday makeup wear. In our guide to the best makeup brushes, a tester said this sponge 'finishes a makeup look flawlessly,' compared with others she's tried that often left behind streaks and unblended patches. It also checks the box as the only sponge you need because, unlike many others, it can hold all kinds of makeup products, including liquid, cream, and powder. Some sponges drop super-fine powders while others soak it up before it reaches your skin, but the Beautyblender has a nice balance — it picks up the powder and puts it onto your face with ease. The same is true for liquid formulas like foundation and concealer. In our guide, one tester said she used 'a lot less' of her favorite liquid foundation with the Beautyblender compared with other sponges. But just know, this is only true if the sponge is damp. 'Moistening the Beautyblender sponge creates a barrier that keeps makeup from sinking in and wasting product,' author Elizabeth Denton said in the guide. Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter You should wash your makeup sponge after every use. It may seem like a lot of work, but truly great makeup sponges are easy to clean — the Beautyblender included. All you need to do is place dirty sponges in a bowl of lukewarm-to-warm water mixed with a few drops of liquid soap, and use your hands to work the soapy water into the sponge for about 15 seconds, senior staff writer Nancy Redd said in this step-by-step guide. Then, rinse the sponge and squeeze it. You'll know the sponge is clean when the water runs clear, so consider colored water a sign to repeat the wash process. Beautyblender sells branded sponge cleaner (as do other sponge brands), but you don't need to buy it — liquid soap works just fine. Nancy tested Dial liquid soap and Dr. Bronner's unscented liquid castile soap, both of which got the job done. Start sparingly with the soap, though. Apply just a small dollop to the water to start and add more as needed, because excess soap residue can be difficult to remove from a makeup sponge, Nancy said. We washed all of the sponges we tested and considered the Beautyblender to perform the best in this area, too. Some makeup sponges hold onto makeup like velcro, but this sponge rinsed clean without too much huff and puff. Arguably more important, it held up over multiple washes without any damage. This isn't a small feat — many sponges age like milk, losing structure and little chunks of foam with every wash. But the Beautyblender bounces back to life without peeling apart, a feature that extends its longevity (and at $20 a piece, that's pretty important). Store your Beautyblender in any place with ample airflow and light — for example, in a special holder like this. Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter To keep your sponge as nice as possible for as long as possible, the brand suggests storing it in a clean space with ample airflow and light. Storing the sponge in a dark place with no airflow may promote bacteria and mold growth. Even if you're traveling, it's worth finding a to-go container with some kind of airflow. Otherwise, you might arrive at your destination with a musty sponge. Still, even if you do everything right, clean it after every use, and store it like a trophy, the Beautyblender won't last forever. The brand suggests the sponges 'typically last' three to six months. This is a pretty big window, but the brand says how long it lasts depends on how well you care for it. Anecdotally, I've used the Beautyblender sponge in my personal makeup routine on and off for years, and mine typically caps out around the four-month mark with regular use (except for the one time my cat stole it a week post-purchase, a criminal offense given the price). However, plenty of Reddit users claim their sponges lived beyond a year — not necessarily recommended. So although $20 may get you half a year of good use, not everyone will find the Beautyblender's longevity and wash-well capabilities to be worthwhile. For professional makeup artists, Elizabeth told me, cheaper options might make more sense, as they often need new sponges for every client. But for everyday personal use, these features make a big difference in the experience over time. The Beautyblender sponge wowed us with its quality, performance, and durability, sweeping the competition. If it didn't, we wouldn't have crowned it the best. While the testing panel went in skeptical, suspecting the steep price wouldn't be justified but, alas, it was. We didn't take color into account as it's a basis of personal preference, but for those who are particular, you'll be glad to know Beautyblender has a vast array of options to choose from — pink, denim blue, black, green, nude, and beyond. Oh, and they even have itty-bitty blenders, too, if you have a love for the smaller things in life. Some people will still prefer the plentiful, cheap dupes out there, and that's fair. But we stand by the fact that, for now, you can't get the same Beautyblender performance or durability elsewhere for less. Sometimes, the original just hits better — or shall I say, bounces. Elizabeth Denton contributed reporting. This article was edited by Hannah Rimm and Maxine Builder. What I Cover Hannah Frye is a staff writer reporting on beauty and style for Wirecutter. She was previously an editor at Mindbodygreen. She has been using skin-care items since she was 11 (which, she says, is a fact, not a recommendation). When she isn't making new Pinterest boards or shopping for vintage clothes on eBay, she's testing vegan recipes in her Brooklyn apartment.
New York Times
01-05-2025
- Health
- New York Times
Hypochlorous Acid Mists Are Touted as Cure-Alls. So We Tested Them.
Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter Once we understood the science of hypochlorous acid, we put seven of the most popular, sought-after hypochlorous acid mists to the test. In many cases the ingredients lists look nearly identical (pretty much just water, salt, and hypochlorous acid). But the ratio of those ingredients and the formula's pH (or acidity level) are what made one product different from the next. We compared their formulas, and for testing we selected mists with minimal ingredients and formulations that are considered safe to use on scrapes, makeup tools, and the face. This eliminated some mists that had hypochlorous acid as just one of several skin-care ingredients, including things like salicylic acid, peptides, fruit extracts, and added fragrance. Our testing list included: Our testing panel included six people with varying skin types, and they tested these products in Wirecutter's office. Testers evaluated each mist for its first-impression user experience, including the pump, the feel of the mist, how it performed over makeup, the packaging, and the smell. Next, we considered price and formula, including acidity and concentration. Of the seven mists we tested, we were able to confirm that four had both ideal acidity and concentration. The concentration of HOCl in products made for skin tends to fall between 0.01% to 0.02% hypochlorous acid (the rest of the spray is typically a mix of water and salt). Rambhia said this concentration is a 'sweet spot' in that it's strong enough to disrupt pathogens but mild enough for good bacteria to withstand. (This is one reason why you don't need to worry that hypochlorous acid sprays made for the skin will disrupt your skin's microbiome or kill off good bacteria.) Of the mists we tested, our two favorites fall within this range. Some brands, like Prequel, put the concentration of hypochlorous acid on the bottle. Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter The next thing to consider is pH, or acidity. Some studies (including one from 2022 and another from 2023) suggest that for a hypochlorous acid product for use on skin, the ideal pH should fall roughly between 4 and 6 (similar to the pH of the skin's acidic mantle) to be the most effective for killing bacteria. And Tran and Bowles both agreed. That acidic mantle is a pH of about 4.5 to 5.5, so 'products in this acidic range better support skin's natural defenses,' Tran said. However, if the formula is too acidic, and the pH falls below about 4, this may cause the hypochlorous acid solution to lose stability and convert to chlorine gas, Tran said. On the flip side, when pH surpasses about 6, some of the hypochlorous acid could convert to hypochlorite ion, a form research suggests is less effective at killing bacteria. Some brands list pH and concentration information on the bottle or online. For those that didn't, I reached out to the brands directly. One spray stood out to our panel as a favorite in ideal formula, usability, and value: Personal Day Trust Me on This Hypochlorous Acid Spray. The mists that won over our testers. Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter Adored for its fine mist and beautiful packaging, this spray took the cake for our testers. We also liked that it didn't leave a potent chlorine-like smell. Personal Day Trust Me on This Hypochlorous Acid Spray is a relative newcomer to the hypochlorous acid scene (it launched in March 2025), and it lands in the middle of the pack on price (at $6.75 an ounce, or $27 for a bottle, at time of writing). Our panel gave it high praise for its super-fine mist, which refreshed our testers' skin without making it feel too wet. I used the Personal Day mist over my makeup multiple times throughout testing, and it never displaced foundation or concealer, even with a generous amount of spritzing. The dilution, as told to me by the company, is 0.02%, which falls into the acceptable range for use on the skin. The pH is between 5.3 and 5.7, falling into that expert-approved window. The mist had little to no detectable scent, and all of the testers admired the packaging. Staff writer Caroline Mullen commented, 'It has a hefty weight, smooth rounded edges, and an almost flocked feeling that pleased me. Plus, I'm eternally into a bright green.' This spray earned high praise for its gentle mist and pretty packaging. Some testers initially didn't love the light chlorine smell, but the scent faded quickly. The Prequel Universal Skin Solution Dermal Spray was our next favorite. Like the Personal Day spray's mist, this one's fine mist hit the skin gently, not wetly. One tester remarked, 'The small packaging is so pretty, and it's easy to hold and spray.' However, some testers detected a stronger, pool-like scent from the Prequel spray in comparison with Personal Day's mist. The Prequel spray has the same dilution as the Personal Day spray: 0.02% hypochlorous acid, as stated on the bottle, and a pH of 5.5, as listed on the website. On the Prequel spray's ingredients list, you'll also find muriatic acid (aka hydrochloric acid), which Bowles said is used in diluted amounts to help lower the pH of the product. 'By doing so, it helps optimize the hypochlorous acid's effectiveness in killing bacteria and promoting healing,' she explained. Prequel's mist also has a seal of acceptance from the National Rosacea Society; this indicates that a product has undergone testing and consideration specifically for those who struggle with rosacea, and that it should be free from ingredients commonly known to exacerbate rosacea symptoms. So if you have rosacea, you may consider this seal to be a plus. Our testers considered the Prequel spray to be in a dead heat with the Hydrinity Hyacyn Active mist ($20 an ounce, or $60 a bottle, at the time of writing), which delivered a similar user experience. However, we couldn't justify the Hydrinity spray's price, so we dismissed it. The middle-ground mist we found to be slightly less satisfying than our winners. Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter This mist earned praise for its mild, chlorine-like smell and lightweight packaging (which makes it nice for traveling). Yet it lost points for having a messy mist and a cheap-feeling bottle (given the price). We liked, but didn't love, the popular Tower28 SOS Rescue Spray. Although many testers enjoyed the look of the packaging, they said they found the mist to be a tad too damp. Editor Hannah Rimm said the Tower28 mist 'was very wet so I didn't want to put it on my face.' She added, however, that it felt refreshing on her body. Staff writer Maki Yazawa, who has used the Tower28 mist before, said, 'For $28, I'd expect a much finer mist, and the packaging feels cheaply made.' Some testers found the chlorine-like smell to be mild, but others disagreed. Tower28's spray lists a pH of 4.5. We confirmed with the brand that its dilution falls within the ideal range of 0.01% to 0.02% hypochlorous acid, though Tower28 declined to disclose the exact percentage. This nondisclosure isn't necessarily a red flag, Tran explained, since some brands guard their formulations for competitive reasons. She added that Tower28 obtained some relevant certification seals (like the acceptance seals from the National Eczema Association and the National Rosacea Society), which are 'positive indicators of their product's safety and testing standards.' These are our testers' least favorite mists in terms of smell, feel, and packaging. Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter The mists our panel least liked using — E11ement Hypochlorous Acid Face and Skin Spray, SkinSmart Facial Cleanser for Acne, and Magic Molecule The Solution — coincidentally all have a pH of 7 or above, according to the brands, though their concentrations fall within the ideal range. Hypochlorous acid mists with a pH of 7 or higher could still offer some benefits, but they might not be as effective at killing bacteria over time, Bowles said. She said this is especially true if you're hoping to use one of these sprays to help treat an inflammatory skin condition. SkinSmart and Magic Molecules HOCl sprays are FDA-cleared, which is not required, and ultimately this may not be the most important factor to consider. 'What really matters is the formulation itself — particularly the pH,' Bowles said. 'A low-pH mist without FDA clearance can actually be more beneficial for skin care than a high-pH, FDA-cleared formula that isn't optimized for the skin's needs.' Our least favorite mists had clumsier, wetter mists and strong (if fleeting) pool smells, and they were, unfortunately, also the most affordable options. If price is paramount, your skin may still see some benefits from these mists, but you could be compromising in other areas.
New York Times
09-04-2025
- Health
- New York Times
The Solawave Wand Costs Half the Price of Other Red-Light Tools. But We Didn't Love It.
The T-shaped wand is sleek and almost futuristically simple design-wise. It's easy to hold, easy to move, and easy on the eyes. Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter The box contains the wand, a pink travel case, an instruction manual, and a magnetic USB-compatible charging cord, but no charging block. Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter The box housing the wand suggested 'glowing skin in 2 weeks.' That bold claim encouraged us to test the wand for at least that long. Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter The T-shaped wand is sleek and almost futuristically simple design-wise. It's easy to hold, easy to move, and easy on the eyes. Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter As I opened the box of a brand-new Solawave wand, I was taken aback by just how tiny it was. The T-shaped device has just a single button, which feels futuristically simple. I've tested red-light devices with complex settings, lengthy cords, and plenty of easily lost remotes, so this model seems comparably minimal. The box suggested 'glowing skin in 2 weeks,' so our panel tested the wand for at least that long, with most testers reaching 21 days and some going even longer. Once you press the single button, the wand comes to life through a gentle vibration, emitting bright red light and gentle heat. The instruction videos on the product page recommend moving the wand in upward and outward motions along four quadrants, one at a time, in no particular order: one cheek region (including part of the chin), the forehead, the other cheek and half of the chin, and the sides of the neck. Though those specific quadrants appear to be the most common approach shown online, some people take creative liberties when it comes to the quadrants—some wand users online say they focus more on certain areas or avoid particular quadrants entirely, and others employ the wand as a spot treatment for breakouts or fine lines. Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter The entire treatment lasts 12 minutes, and a pause in vibration every three minutes signals you to move on to the next section. This gentle reminder proved especially helpful to me personally, as I occasionally zoned out during the treatment (sometimes out of relaxation, others boredom—but more on that later). After the 12 minutes is up, the wand turns off automatically. It's important to note that while you can use the Solawave wand on the sides of your neck, the website suggests avoiding the center, especially near the thyroid gland in the neck. You should also avoid your eyelids, under your brow bone, your chest, and your groin area. This isn't a sweeping contraindication for all red-light devices, but rather this specific wand, which uses multiple forms of therapy beyond just red light. Unfortunately, our panel quickly grew tired of the 12-minute hands-on sessions. As Wirecutter senior editor Jennifer Hunter put it, 'The first three days felt like self care, and then 12 minutes started to feel like a chore.' Sebastian said, 'As ridiculous as it sounds, not being able to use my hands for 12 minutes was a little inconvenient.' Many skin-care devices, red-light masks included, require some patience, but the difference is in the labor required. With hands-free masks, I find it much easier to keep up with the habit for two reasons: One, I can put away laundry or prep dinner ingredients as the mask works. Or, two, I can actually relax, just lying on my bed trying to think of nothing at all (which never works, but I still try). The Solawave wand cut short both experiences—I couldn't do much when my hand was busy, but I couldn't fully relax, either. Not to mention, although the wand's sleek design is beautiful to look at, it may be a tad too simple, as it gives you no way of knowing when the charge will run out. Our testers found the wand's battery life to last about a week with daily use, but because they didn't know when it was running low, their 12-minute sessions would often get cut short without warning. On top of that, the charger is only USB-compatible—not USB-C, like many modern devices and red-light masks I've tried—which sent some testers hunting for the rarely used charging cable they had lying around at home. The potential benefits of red-light therapy require consistency, so the easier a device is to use, the more motivated you might be to keep up with it. So while convenience isn't everything in skin care, our panel found it to be quite an important factor in this category. The Lightboost Wand Activating Serum is housed in a light pink bottle with a convenient pump and snap-on cap. The texture is similar to other conducting gels used with skin-care devices, adding slip to the skin upon application. But it dried more quickly than we had hoped. Ana Paola Wong/NYT Wirecutter Solawave recommends using an oil-free serum to encourage slip as you move the wand across your skin. That oil-free part is important, because any serum containing oil could counteract the galvanic current, said Solawave founder and CEO Andrew Silberstein in an interview. Instead, he recommended using a water-based serum, which can act as a conductor. Our panel tested the Solawave Lightboost Wand Activating Serum, which is available in a bundle with the wand. The website suggests that this particular formula helps the wand glide smoothly along the skin and adds to the wand's 'anti-aging benefits.' However, most of our testers said it actually made the process more challenging; Sebastian, for example, said he liked the feel of the serum when he first applied it, but it quickly dried to a tacky finish, which made it harder for him to move the wand across his face in comparison with using no serum at all. Another tester, associate operations manager Ana Paola Wong, agreed, noting that her wand often caught on the tackiness of the serum and made the process more difficult. Still, this may be a matter of personal preference, as one tester liked the serum and found it to be a decent primer for the wand: 'It did a pretty good job of not drying down right away (so, leaving slip to glide the tool across skin),' Jennifer said. Regardless, if you want to use a serum to increase slip, Camp recommends avoiding potentially irritating ingredients such as AHAs, BHAs, or retinol. Instead, he suggests looking for serums with hydrating ingredients. You can find plenty of simple hydrating serums that fit the bill, as many employ ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, niacinamide, and glycerin. No matter which one you choose, just be sure to find an oil-free formula. Let's be clear: We didn't set out to evaluate the long-term efficacy of the Solawave wand. To do so with conviction, we would have to run a double-blind, peer-reviewed clinical study that would include dermatologist consultation and costly technology to accurately assess even the smallest improvements in skin tone, wrinkle depth, dark spots, and the like. Our results from testing are purely anecdotal and should be taken with a grain of salt, because everyone's skin is different. But we still want to share what we found for the sake of transparency. First, the majority of our testers noted a subtle improvement in the look of their skin immediately following each session. Some testers said the wand eased irritation and redness, while others said their breakouts appeared less inflamed. Some said their skin just looked brighter. In addition, many testers said their pimples had a shorter lifespan when they used the wand consistently. Personally, I found that the wand significantly calmed my skin whenever I was facing irritation and flushing—which has been my experience with many red-light masks, as well. Another tester, supervising editor Hannah Rimm, said, 'Looking at my before and after photos, my skin looks brighter and a little more even.' Each tester, however, reported that the wand's perceived benefits were offset by no apparent improvement in more specific concerns such as dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and dark under-eye circles, all of which Solawave claims on its product page as benefits of this wand's combined therapies. If you are interested in reaping the most benefit from a red-light device, we don't consider the Solawave wand to be the most efficient way to do so. Although it advertises 630-nanometer wavelengths of red light, a spec that falls into a range similar to that of many red-light masks, it lacks one thing in comparison: coverage. 'Size does matter,' said dermatologist Mamina Turegano, adding that she personally didn't think an LED device the size of the Solwave wand would be as effective as a full red-light mask. It's undeniable that the wand simply does not deliver as much red light to the skin for the same amount of time in comparison with red-light masks, many of which call for full-face use for around the same 12-minute period (some closer to 15 minutes, others less than 10). The essential difference: With a mask, your full face gets that 12 or so minutes of exposure. With the Solawave wand, each quadrant gets only three minutes, and each inch of that quadrant gets even less time. Plus, 'the need to treat the face as four quadrants with the Solawave introduces some variability in treatment, which may impact efficacy,' Camp said. 'Masks, on the other hand, treat the entire face at once, which helps deliver more uniform, predictable treatments.' Our qualms aside, this wand might be exactly what some people are looking for. 'If someone has concerns about a specific area of the face, a targeted mask or wand may be more appropriate, and less expensive, than a full face mask,' Camp said. Or, if you want multiple therapies at once, including heat, galvanic current, and facial massage, this is certainly a worthwhile tool, and using it is much more affordable and convenient than trying to get all of those therapies from separate devices. If you want to try it but are still skeptical, the good news is that Solawave offers free returns within 60 days of receipt for a full refund, including used and opened products, but only if you buy yours from the Solawave website. So you can try the wand for a longer period of time before deciding if it's right for your routine. But when it comes to the experience and effort it takes to use the wand, all of our testers agreed that they would not purchase the wand themselves. Many panelists said they would rather invest in a mask for the hands-free experience and the more significant benefits that they hoped would come from increasing the exposure time of the red light to their skin. Moreover, the Solawave wand—and many skin-care devices, for that matter—bears a long list of contraindications that make it less appropriate for many people. According to the website, the Solawave 4-In-1 Skincare Wand should not be used by people who are under 18, pregnant, have an electronic implant device such as a pacemaker, or anyone prone to light-induced headaches or seizures. Those aren't all of the contraindications listed, so I recommend reading through them before purchasing, should you decide to do so. Finally, as I would remind my teenage self, who got spendy at Sephora on something she didn't need, beauty devices can't solve every problem you have with your skin. In my interview with Turegano, she shared a sentiment that I sincerely stand by: She said that while she loves red-light therapy (and I do, too), it can't lift all of the weight on its own—these masks and wands are meant to be accessories to a skin-care routine, not the whole thing. 'It's only one piece of the pie when it comes to taking care of your skin overall.' This article was edited by Hannah Rimm and Maxine Builder.
New York Times
04-04-2025
- Health
- New York Times
Rhode Barrier Butter Isn't Your Average Moisturizer. But My Dry Skin Loves It.
The texture is thick and silky, with more weight than a gel moisturizer but more slip than a traditional occlusive balm. Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter Rhode makes a lot of statements about what this moisturizer can do. The description says, 'It helps strengthen the skin barrier and seal in moisture for up to 24 hours*—restoring skin's natural softness and bounce.' That asterisk indicates 'with daily use,' of course. The company also claims that the moisturizer can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and produce an immediate and long-lasting glow. I didn't doubt that this moisturizer could deliver a dewy finish—plenty of moisturizers can, and the brand is kind of known for that at this point—but I went in with doubt about the whole minimizing-fine-lines thing. Certainly, for people who crave a glistening, borderline oily finish, this is ideal. Barrier Butter is thick, with a capital T. It's the type of creamy balm you might imagine would come in a jar, but it's housed in a light gray, squeezable tube instead. And though it's undeniably heavy, Barrier Butter spreads like, well, butter (at room temperature). It glides across the skin with ease but takes a few minutes to sink in. This is the tiny amount of Barrier Butter I like to use on my face, which may still be too much for some people. Be warned: A little goes a long way. Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter For those with parched skin, it's tempting to slather on the moisturizer—especially if you're accustomed to using thinner lotions. But take heed: A little of this stuff goes a long way. The photo above shows the amount I've found to be just right for my entire face—though even that tiny dollop is probably more than enough for anyone who prefers a more subtle, shine-free finish. Like many face moisturizers, this one can be used on the body, as well. The difference, though, lies in the size of the packaging. Oftentimes face moisturizers come at a steep price for a tiny jar, which discourages a more generous application on the body. However, this one comes in a 5-ounce size, leaving some for you to spread the love to other dry spots, which I liked. One of our testers, supervising editor Hannah Rimm—who despises the feeling of body lotion—applied it to her psoriasis-prone areas and found that it significantly softened her skin without leaving a trace of greasiness. I, too, used it on my eczema-prone hands and saw improvement in the dry patches and irritation I'd been battling. Though I found it a bit too greasy for daytime use on my hands, it was perfect for mending my dry hands overnight.
New York Times
25-03-2025
- Health
- New York Times
You Might Be Storing Your Vitamin C Serum Wrong. Try This Instead.
Place your vitamin C serum in the fridge, a cabinet, or a drawer—all of which should protect it from heat and humidity. Skip the sun-drenched display or shower-adjacent shelf. Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter You don't need a special, tiny skin-care fridge—a simple cool, dark place will do. 'I typically recommend storing them in a cabinet,' said dermatologist Alexis Stephens. However, dermatologist Luke Maxfield said it's a good idea to put your vitamin C serum in the fridge (any size, tiny or mighty), if you can commit to the extra step. 'Many studies show that the lower the temperature, the longer the lifespan of your vitamin C,' he said. Prioritize a spot that is protected from both artificial light and sunlight. 'UV light is the primary driver of free radical generation and has the greatest capacity to break down your vitamin C,' Maxfield said. He noted that visible light may also be impactful, but it's less of a concern than UV light when it comes to vitamin C stability. Beyond heat and light, you'll also want to make sure your vitamin C serum stays airtight. Vitamin C's primary function in your skin-care routine is acting as an antioxidant, shielding your skin from damaging free radicals that can contribute to concerns like dark spots, fine lines, and more. But when vitamin C is exposed to air, that very protection begins to deteriorate, according to Maxfield. 'The air consumes vitamin C's protective capacity, robbing it of the benefits you ultimately want to preserve for your skin.' This is why it's essential to always seal the bottle tightly, as well as to use the caps or lids that come with your product. On the back of the Timeless Skin Care 20% C+E Ferulic Acid bottle, instructions suggest that you store the product in the refrigerator or another cool, dry place, to keep the serum fresh for longer. Hannah Frye/NYT Wirecutter Some manufacturers, such as Timeless Skin Care, are proactive about protection, using opaque, airtight packaging to block out light and air. SkinCeuticals, on the other hand, has a patent on its stability method. That means its serum can remain effective for longer, even when it's in a dropper bottle that will unavoidably expose the serum to light and air, according to dermatologist Mina Amin. While protective packaging and formulaic innovations are great, there's no evidence to suggest they will make your vitamin C serum invincible in a steamy bathroom. And some brands, including Timeless Skin Care, have instructions on the bottle suggesting you store the product in the refrigerator or in another cool, dry place. If you're choosing a cool, dark place in your bathroom (such as a medicine cabinet or a pull-out drawer), make sure to do a humidity test. After your next hot shower, take a peek at the items in your drawer or cabinet. If they're dewy and damp or warm to the touch, pick another spot. This is especially important if your serum contains L-ascorbic acid, the form found in four of the six serums we recommend in our guide. 'L-ascorbic acid, one of many forms of vitamin C, is quite unstable,' Maxfield said. 'Even while protecting against things like light degradation with an opaque bottle, and protecting it from air, a steamy room will still impact the quality and preservation of the product,' he said. 'Steamy implies the combination of heat and humidity, both of which will increase the destruction of your vitamin C product.' Other forms of vitamin C—like ethyl ascorbic acid, found in the Olay Vitamin C + Peptide serum featured in our guide—are more stable and may require less-meticulous care than L-ascorbic acid, Maxfield said. But that doesn't mean they're entirely resistant to degradation. If you want to get the most out of your serum—regardless of the type of vitamin C it contains—it won't hurt to store it mindfully. This may sound like a lot of hassle, but it's important if you want the products you buy to work as intended, for as long as possible. 'A product's stability ensures its effectiveness,' Stephens said. 'If a product is unstable, it will not provide benefits to the skin. In the case of destabilized vitamin C, you will not see a reduction in the appearance of hyperpigmentation or promotion of collagen production.'
