Pure jojoba oil and a jojoba cream are different products
Jojoba oil consists mostly of wax esters and is a liquid wax. Jojoba also appears in facial oils, creams and cleansers, so its name is not the whole product biography. A cream containing jojoba is not the same formula as a bottle of pure jojoba oil. Mixtures of water and oil can separate, and preservatives can break down over time.123
How long can you keep a bottle?
Use the manufacturer's shelf life and storage instructions for your particular product rather than a universal number of years. If the bottle has no date or usable guidance, ask the manufacturer how long to keep it. US cosmetic labels are not required to carry an expiry date. An absent date is missing information, not the bottle's application for immortality.1
Does jojoba oil go rancid?
Do not assume a jojoba product stays usable indefinitely because it is a liquid wax. As general cosmetic guidance, a new smell or a change in colour or texture is a reason to stop using the product. Temperature changes, sunlight and air can cause those changes. A normal smell alone is not enough to decide whether an old bottle is still usable; consider its age, handling and storage too.1
How should you store jojoba oil?
- Keep the container and any applicator clean.
- Avoid dipping fingers into the product, which introduces bacteria and fungi.
- Keep the bottle away from heat and direct sunlight, rather than leaving it in a hot car or sunny window.
- Avoid damp storage conditions. Bathroom moisture can make it easier for bacteria and fungi to grow in cosmetics.
