Not many of us like throwing out skincare products unless they have been completely used. However when it comes to facial oils, this means that a lot of consumers are using oxidised oils that are not quite at their best.
We often get asked about how to know when our bestselling Rosehip Oil has gone rancid. So how long does Rosehip Oil last? And what happens if you use expired Rosehip Oil?
Whether you use our Rosehip Oil or another type of face oil (we have four in our organic range!), here’s our advice on how to tell when your facial oil has gone bad and what that means for your skin…
Is an expired face oil bad for your skin?
Facial oils carry higher price tags than most moisturisers, as they contain higher levels of actives. They therefore tend to deliver quicker results.
However, organic facial oils can be fragile, oxidising after minimal contact with air and sunlight. As a result, many of us may be using facial oils that are no longer active, meaning the skin benefits are compromised.
At best, it means you're wasting your time and won't see the change in your skin that you're after - and at worst, you could notice a reaction or irritation after using it.
The good news is, ours last longer than cold-pressed oils - but more on that later.
How to know if your face oil has gone bad
The best way to ensure your Rosehip Oil or face oil is at its best is to keep an eye on the following characteristics:
Aroma
Rancid oils are best spotted by their smell, which is usually musty and sour on the nose – a bit like old butter! Rosehip Oil should smell quite earthy, so if it starts smelling a bit sour then that may be a sign that it has expired.
Colour
Oils can lose their depth of colour as they oxidise. A good Rosehip Oil, for example, should be a vibrant orange – which indicates the presence of lots of skin-protecting carotenoids! A sign of an expired oil is therefore a paler colour.
Texture
Oils rich in polyunsaturated fats are incredibly popular facial oils, as they feel light and velvety on the skin.
Polyunsaturated fats are, however, much more prone to oxidisation. So be sure to keep a close eye on oils such as Borage, Hemp and Safflower, as these facial oils will expire faster - so you may notice a change in texture or consistency.
How to keep your facial oil at its best
Make your beauty investment worthwhile by maximising the life of your facial oil.
Keep it in a cool place, out of direct sunlight (ideally in its original box), and avoid leaving it unsealed for prolonged periods of time.
At Pai, we give you a helping hand by adding 100% natural Vitamin E (from sunflower) to our bestselling Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil. This antioxidant prolongs the life of the Rosehip Oil, as well as protecting the skin from damaging environmental forces like UV rays and pollution.
We also endeavour to use CO2 extracts over cold pressed extracts when it comes to particularly fragile oils such as Rosehip. As no oxygen is present during the extraction process, CO2 extracts remain at their best for 18 months, compared to the 3-6 months lifespan of cold pressed extracts – so if you shop with us, you know you're getting better value for money.
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