There's a good chance you've come across the topic of freezing shampoo in your research about hair care products. It's an odd topic that invokes a polarizing debate.
Does shampoo freeze? Some say that shampoo definitely does not freeze.
Others not only state that it does, but they recommend that you freeze your shampoo to make it last longer. In this article, we'll clear things up for you so you'll know for sure whether shampoo freezes.
Does Shampoo Freeze?
When the temperature drops low enough, shampoo does freeze (e.g., in seriously cold weather). Although it has other ingredients, most shampoos are made up of about 70% to 80% water. As a result, it starts to freeze a few degrees below the freezing point of water (32 degrees Fahrenheit, or 0 degrees Celsius), and the exact temperature depends on the formula.
You may notice that this is lower than the regular freezing point of water, and there’s a good reason for that! The cleansers, salt, glycerin, and other ingredients dissolved in the water lower the temperature at which it freezes, the same way salt keeps a sidewalk from icing over.
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Depending on the formula, your shampoo might not freeze 100% or may freeze unevenly. You might even notice your shampoo separating in cold temperatures, with the water portion turning into ice while the remainder of the ingredients remains a thick, viscous liquid.
Cold that doesn’t quite freeze your shampoo can still make it look cloudy or thick, or show tiny crystals or flakes, since some ingredients crystallize in the cold. That usually clears up once the bottle is back at room temperature.
Note: You may also be wondering, does hair conditioner freeze? Conditioner does freeze along with most hair products that are water-based. Many dish soaps and cleaning supplies can also freeze.
Is Shampoo Good After Freezing?
Freezing doesn’t usually have much of an impact on how well the ingredients work, since cold slows chemical changes down. The bigger risk is physical: freezing and thawing can change the texture of your shampoo, and a full bottle can crack.
Your shampoo might separate or become runnier. To tell whether it’s still good, do one simple check. Once it’s fully thawed, shake it. If it mixes back to its usual smooth texture and still looks that way the next day, it’s fine to use. If it separates again, stays grainy or curdled, or smells off, the formula has broken down, so toss it.
Whether or not a shampoo is good after freezing varies, depending on the product’s formula and how many times it froze and thawed.
So, before you attempt to thaw and use a previously frozen shampoo, examine it. Look for any indications that it is no longer suitable for use. Some signs that you should look out for are:
- An overly lumpy or watery consistency
- Separation that won’t mix back in
- An unpleasant or strange smell
- A dramatic color difference
- Mold spots or slime
The main takeaway is that one accidental freeze is often harmless, but you should treat the situation on a case-by-case basis.
Shampoo that has been ruined by freezing may not get your hair as clean, or lather as well, as it used to.
How Long Can You Freeze Shampoo?
Although freezing your shampoo is possible, shampoo isn't meant to be frozen. There isn't a set length of time that shampoo can be frozen.
It depends on how old the shampoo is, the temperature it was frozen at, the shampoo’s ingredient list, and how many times it has frozen and thawed. Avoid freezing your shampoo when possible and try to limit the amount of time it spends frozen.
Can Shampoo Freeze in Your Car During Winter?
Yes. A car, garage, or porch can easily drop below shampoo’s freezing point, and a bottle left there can freeze at night and thaw during the day, over and over. Those repeated freeze and thaw cycles are harder on a formula than one long freeze, so bring extra bottles inside for the winter.
Does Dry Shampoo Freeze?
Unlike regular shampoo, dry shampoo contains very little water. Aerosol dry shampoo won’t freeze, even if you leave it in your car during winter, although a can that’s cold sprays weakly until it warms back up to room temperature.
However, most dry shampoos are in aerosol bottles. The propellant in an aerosol can is highly flammable, and the can may burst if it overheats, which is why US labels say not to store a can above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid storing your dry shampoo in a warm or sunny spot, including a hot car.
Pros and Cons of Freezing Shampoo
While we don't necessarily recommend it, there are a few positives to consider when deciding whether you should freeze your shampoo. Use the information in this section to see if it's something you want to try.
Pros of Freezing Shampoo
Freezing is usually the result of an accident, and its upsides are smaller than you might hear. Here’s what freezing shampoo can and can’t do for you:
- It won’t make your shampoo last longer - An unopened bottle of shampoo lasts up to about three years, and once you open it, follow the open-jar symbol on the label or use it within about 12 months. Freezing pauses germs, but it doesn’t kill them, so they can start growing again once the bottle thaws, and the freeze itself can break the formula. If you go through shampoo slowly, buy smaller bottles instead. Otherwise, your shampoo may spoil by the time you get around to using it. The risks of using expired shampoo include:
- Skin irritation
- Diminished cleaning ability
- It can save you a bottle - If a bottle freezes by accident and passes the shake test once it thaws, you can keep using it instead of buying a replacement. Stocking up on sales still makes sense, as long as you buy only what you’ll use before it expires.
- It can create a relaxing experience - Washing your hair with an ice-cold shampoo might be just what you need to cool down on a hot summer day. If you want to try it, pour a little shampoo into a cup and chill it in the fridge, so the whole bottle doesn’t have to freeze and thaw.
Cons of Freezing Shampoo
While freezing your shampoo can have some advantages, it's not usually the best idea. Here are some of the negative consequences of letting your shampoo freeze.
- Your bottle might crack - Water expands by about 9% when it freezes, so a full bottle of shampoo can bulge, crack, or split at the seam or cap. Once the shampoo thaws, it will start to leak out and create a mess.
- Germs aren’t killed - Freezing doesn’t kill bacteria or mold, so anything that got into your shampoo can start growing again once it thaws. And if the formula separates for good, its preservatives may not be spread evenly anymore. Once you defrost your shampoo, watch out for mold spots, slime, or a bad smell.
- It can ruin the shampoo's consistency - Many shampoos, especially creamy, 2-in-1, and pearly ones, have ingredients that don’t blend well with each other on their own. These ingredients are combined through emulsification to create a smooth, even texture. Freezing and thawing may undo this effect and cause the product to separate.
- Freezing your shampoo takes up space - Most of us have limited freezer space and might not have the room to store shampoo bottles. Since freezing shampoo is more of a long-term solution, you might not have the room to spare.
- Some ingredients may settle out - Cold doesn’t usually break ingredients down, but it can make some of them crystallize or settle out, especially in pearly or medicated shampoos. Most of us purchase hair products based on their ingredients and effects. If those ingredients don’t mix back in, your shampoo won’t work the way you want.
How to Defrost Shampoo
Now that you know that you can use shampoo after it freezes, you're probably wondering how you should go about defrosting it. To defrost your shampoo, all you have to do is let it sit out at room temperature until it thaws out.
If you're in a rush, put your shampoo in a bowl of warm (not hot) water to speed things up.
How Can You Tell If Frozen Shampoo Is Still Good?
Once the shampoo has defrosted, shake it for as long as possible. Keep shaking until the color is uniform and all the ingredients appear to be blended.
Then check it again the next day. If it has separated again, the formula has broken down, and it’s time to toss it rather than shake it before every use. Check the bottle for cracks or a split seam before you put it back in your shower, too.
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Freezing your shampoo can crack the bottle or leave the formula separated or grainy, so we don’t recommend that you do it intentionally. Most shampoo products should always be stored at room temperature.
However, if you accidentally freeze your shampoo and defrost it, it will often be fine to use, as long as it mixes back together and stays that way. Even so, keep an eye out to make sure it hasn't gone bad.
We hope this article has answered your questions about whether or not shampoo freezes and clearly explained its effect on your product!
