Silica gel: prevent skin care items from spoiling
Last week, I spotted a tub of silica gel at a photo processing shop and promptly remembered Stella had mentioned using these in my last post to keep skin care and cosmetics dry and moisture free. At S$5 for 500 grams, it seems a better value compared to the bulky dehumidifier that I was getting. Plus, they’re much more user friendly as I can put these gels into little plastic bags and place them where required.
Control humidity level and prevent degradation of products
Not to be confused with the water-based gel made from silicon and other synthetic materials used in dietary and beauty supplements, these silica gel are to keep moisture from building up. I only had to poke some holes into the bags so that the silica gel can absorb the moisture from the air, and help control the humidity level in order to avoid spoilage or degradation of my skin care products.
Takes up less space and flexibility in storage
Anyway, I divided the 500 grams into four big bags plus four small bags, and I don’t have to agonize over the fact that I can’t fit the bulky dehumidifiers into my drawers. I was told that the silica gel would turn white once they’ve absorbed the moisture and that’s when I should discard and replace with new ones. After a few days, I already noticed some of the gels turning into a paler shade of blue.
Good for aiding storage of natural and preservative free products
Okay, some of you may ask why is there a need to use silica gel or dehumidifiers to aid your cosmetics storage. Well, it’s not necessary if you’re certain that your storage is dry and free from moisture. My room isn’t, plus I use mostly natural and organic products that contain little or no preservatives. Hence, storing them properly and keeping them free from moisture buildup is important.
And if you’re into collecting cosmetic items and wish to keep them looking better for longer, than these are definitely handy!
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i think you can actually ‘dehumidify’ those gel beads instead of discarding them? they only need to be heated or something to turn them back to blue!
That’s a great idea! I’d use it mainly to dehumify my bag storage area though ? I presently use the moisture absorbers you can buy at department stores. Hope you had a good Chinese New Year and here’s wishing you happiness, health and wealth this Tiger year ?
Oh really! I didn’t know! Thanks for telling me. I’ll try it out. It makes sense, since heating will get rid of the water right?
Thanks Paris! Hope you had a blast during CNY and V-Day!
This is a good tip!
This is a really good tip! Thanks. Is there any place/store that you know of specifically for these? But first I’ll try my luck at the neighbourhood photo processing store.
You can just pop it into the oven at 100°C for an hour or so… that should turn the silica gel beads back into blue!
Excellent tip!
I got it from a neighbourhood photo processing shop. You should be able to find them there.
Oh okay! I’ll give it a try. Didn’t know they can be recycled.
This is a great tip! If you are making your own sugar body scrubs, adding a pinch of sea salt with aid in preservation. If your skin recipe contains oils, you can puncture a Vitamin E oil capsule and add it to the mix to keep it fresh longer.
Thanks for the tip. In addition, please comment using your own name as my comment policy states that those SEO names will be deleted.
You can even use the microwave oven to heat them up – takes only a few minutes to turn them back to blue!
But I’d like to ask, where do you place the cubby pictured in this article? Because if it is left in the open, the silica gel will simply absorb moisture from the entire room and will have to be changed pretty quickly…
In the drawer mostly and one outside near the cosmetics. Yes, the one outside absorbs moisture quickly and actually makes no sense for me to put these…a bit kiasu.