Beauty

[Texasmouse]

My mailbox is part of one of those "cluster" of mailboxes situated in various locations in my neighborhood.  This cluster is in full sun, all day.  My mail gets delivered around midday and I don't get home from work until 5:30, which means my mail (and any small packages left in my mailbox) sits there for about five hours in what amounts to an oven, when the temperature is in the 90's.  I've received packages containing skin care products and I worry that being exposed to such heat will compromise their integrity.  I know Vitamin C, for example, is destroyed by heat. Does anyone know whether or not exposing products to heat for a few hours will significantly affect their quality?  I guess I can't really get around this problem, other than stocking up on my skin care products in the winter!

[Bella Carro]

Products from a reputable company will have been stability tested for preservative and temperature stability.  I don't really think there is a way, though, to know how high a temp or timeframe was tested.  You're right, some ingredients are very heat sensitive.  Some formulas have ingredients added like stearic acid to help with heat issues but many do not.  I think your best bet is to check with the company.  Is there any way to have items you know are heat sensitive sent to your work address?  

[millieshops]

I don't know about skincare, but I do know that when I buy meds, the ones that are heat sensitive, I just buy locally.  All the rest can sit in the mailbox for as long as necessary. 

So, yes, there's a way around your problem although it may not be the solution you wanted.   

[Texasmouse]

@bella Carro, yes, I guess having them delivered to my work would be one way around it. Thanks for the suggestion.

Spoiler

[JGalt]

There are things I order only in winter. Sitting in the mailbox isn't the only problem; slow transit routes also have products exposed to excessive heat. QVC shipments come via pony express, so even in shoulder seasons, I pay for express shipping.

[ChynnaBlue]

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@Texasmouse wrote:

@bella Carro, yes, I guess having them delivered to my work would be one way around it. Thanks for the suggestion.

Spoiler

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I live in an apartment and the USPS delivers my products to the air conditioned complex office and UPS delivers to my front door, which is covered by the floor above. Nothing sits in full sun, but I DO worry about the heat they're exposed to when they're in the delivery trucks all day. If I order something that might be heat sensitive in the hotter months, I have it delivered to my office. I also have the UPS  app set up for delivery alerts so that if I know something delicate is coming, I can plan ahead to eat lunch at my desk and then take a lunch break to go home and get the package or leave work early to get the package.

I know some people have post office boxes for deliveries all year so that things don't get stolen from their front porches, so that's another solution, albeit a costly one.

[RinaRina]

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@Texasmouse wrote:

My mailbox is part of one of those "cluster" of mailboxes situated in various locations in my neighborhood.  This cluster is in full sun, all day.  My mail gets delivered around midday and I don't get home from work until 5:30, which means my mail (and any small packages left in my mailbox) sits there for about five hours in what amounts to an oven, when the temperature is in the 90's. 

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I totally understand your concern.  Cosmetics,  pet food ....  So, now I have a PO box, and no worries. 

[jaxs mom]

Have them delivered to a post office box in an air conditioned building or your office instead? 

[mimi5775]

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@ChynnaBlue wrote:

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@Texasmouse wrote:

@bella Carro, yes, I guess having them delivered to my work would be one way around it. Thanks for the suggestion.

Spoiler

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I live in an apartment and the USPS delivers my products to the air conditioned complex office and UPS delivers to my front door, which is covered by the floor above. Nothing sits in full sun, but I DO worry about the heat they're exposed to when they're in the delivery trucks all day. If I order something that might be heat sensitive in the hotter months, I have it delivered to my office. I also have the UPS  app set up for delivery alerts so that if I know something delicate is coming, I can plan ahead to eat lunch at my desk and then take a lunch break to go home and get the package or leave work early to get the package.

I know some people have post office boxes for deliveries all year so that things don't get stolen from their front porches, so that's another solution, albeit a costly one.

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Heat is a bad thing for skincare. I try if possible to wait till cooler months but do not stick to that rule when there's a sale! I wish I could. I also really dislike how Ulta and Sephora who sits their products uner hot lights all day and evening... you pick up the darn box up and it's quite warm! I put it down and reach for the back or pass it up and try to get it elsewhere online. Hot lights all day/night are another negative thing for all makeup to be exposed to that long.

[Shelbelle]

That is why I choose not to have my RX delivered by mail. Afraid of the extreme hot and cold temps.