While it is convenient, storing your makeup and skincare in the bathroom might be doing more harm than good, as the unstable environment makes it one of the worst places to store cosmetics.

“Heat, humidity, and fluctuating temperatures can accelerate product degradation,” says Tia Paul, M.D., chief medical officer of aesthetics at bluSONIL. “Over time, this means your skincare may lose potency, and your makeup could separate or spoil faster.” 

“Think of it less as avoiding the bathroom and more about giving your products the same care you’d give any investment—keep them sealed, out of direct sunlight, and used within their recommended shelf life,” advises Jillian Schaeffer, a licensed esthetician and founder of Aesthete Skin Studio and VABARE Skin.

Here, three experts share their top tips for skincare and makeup storage to get the most out of your products.

• Tia Paul, MD, is the chief medical officer of aesthetics at bluSONIL, a luxury longevity, wellness, and regenerative aesthetics studio.
• Jillian Schaeffer, M.S.B.S., is a licensed esthetician and founder of Aesthete Skin Studio and VABARE Skin.
• Shuting Hu, Ph.D., is a cosmetic chemist, skin biologist, and founder of Acaderma, a science-first, clean skincare brand.

Products You Should Never Store in the Bathroom

• Products with highly active ingredients: Antioxidants, particularly vitamin C and retinol, are more unstable than many other skincare ingredients. This means they can more easily lose their potency and have a shorter shelf life.
• SPF: Paul says the bathroom’s heat can break down the UV filters in suncare products, “leaving you with less protection than you think you’re getting.”
• Lipsticks: This makeup staple could lose its shape and even melt when exposed to high temperatures, says Paul.
• Cream-based makeup: Creamy products like foundations, cream blushes, and concealers, as well as water-based products, are more susceptible to bacteria that thrive in humid environments.
• Jarred packages: Open jars, as well as products like pressed powders, are more susceptible to bacterial growth, while the latter can also harden, becoming more difficult to use when stored in a damp environment, says Shuting Hu, Ph.D., a cosmetic chemist, skin biologist, and founder of Acaderma.
• Natural or preservative-free products: “Without strong preservatives, these formulas can spoil much faster when exposed to heat and humidity,” says Paul.

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Skincare and Makeup Storage Tips

• Get organized: “A little thoughtful storage can go a long way in protecting your investment and keeping products feeling fresh,” says Schaeffer. “A bedroom vanity drawer is perfect for everyday items like foundations, powders, and lipsticks—cool, dark, and easy to access.”
• Keep it simple: Finding a cool, dry place, such as a closet shelf, a bedroom vanity drawer, or another location close to where you intend to use your products, is a good rule of thumb, says Paul. While a skincare fridge can be beneficial for some items, like under-eye patches and products with highly active ingredients, the chilly environment could also affect the efficacy of other formulas.
• Opt for upright storage: Be mindful of which side is up. Small bins and organizers can keep products upright and reduce the risk of spills.

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What to Move and Where to Move It

• Probiotics, retinol, and vitamin C: Hu suggests moving these active ingredients to a spot in your mini skincare fridge if you have one. Alternatively, you can store these products in a room-temperature spot away from heat and windows, preferably in a drawer that stays cool and dry.
• Oils and balms: Keep these products at room temperature in your bedroom or another temperature-stable area to avoid hardening or melting.
• Lipsticks and glosses: Store lip formulas upright in a drawer out of the bathroom, where they could melt from heat.
• SPF: Place your suncare-related products in a drawer in your bedroom and out of direct sunlight. Paul suggests carrying smaller containers of SPF with you for touch-ups throughout the day, though you should never leave them in your car as the heat there (just like in the bathroom) can harm their efficacy.
• Powders: Blushes, eyeshadows, and setting powders aren’t highly unstable, but they should still be stored in a drawer outside of the bathroom to avoid hardening due to moisture and contamination.
• Unopened products: Don’t remove any product’s original packaging until you’re ready to use it, as this extra layer protects the formula from light. Keep the products stored on a closet shelf in a visible spot so you can ensure you use older items first.