Natural skincare does go off: shelf life and storage

A common belief is that natural products last forever because there is nothing artificial in them. The opposite is closer to the truth. Plant oils, herbs and water are exactly what bacteria, mould and air like to break down.

Oils go rancid. When oil meets air, light and heat, it slowly oxidises. Rancid oil smells sharp, like old crayons or paint, and can irritate skin. Our oils are bottled in amber glass to block light, and we add vitamin E to slow the process, but once opened they are best used within six months. Water-based products, like gels and creams, can grow microbes once opened, especially if fingers go into the jar. That is why they need a preservative and a shorter open life.

Every product we sell carries two dates: the date it was made and a “use within” period after opening, shown by the small open-jar symbol with a number, such as 6M for six months. Sealed, our products keep for 12 months from the making date.

Store products in a cool, dark place, away from the bathroom window and the steam of the shower. Use a clean spatula or the dropper rather than fingers. Close lids tightly after each use. Throw away anything that has changed smell, separated into layers that do not mix back, or grown spots on the surface. A slight colour shift between batches is normal, but a sudden change in one bottle you are using is a sign to stop.