What if the bottle has no expiry date?

Ask the brand how long that particular product stays usable, including after opening. In the US, cosmetics do not have to carry an expiry date, but manufacturers are responsible for determining shelf life and keeping products safe. Shelf life belongs to the finished formula, not to the word "rosehip" printed in impressive lettering.1

How should you store rosehip oil?

Choose rosehip oil in a dark amber bottle. The packaging protects the oil from UV rays, which can make it less effective. A dark bottle is useful packaging, not just the skincare version of mood lighting. Keep the bottle away from direct sunlight rather than relying on the tinted glass alone.2

  • Keep the bottle away from heat, including a hot car.
  • Keep the container and applicator clean.
  • Avoid dipping your fingers into the product, which adds microorganisms.
  • Avoid damp storage conditions, such as a humid bathroom, where bacteria and fungi can grow more easily.
1

How can you tell when rosehip oil needs replacing?

Changes in smell, colour, texture or performance are reasons to stop using a cosmetic and replace it. Compare the oil with how it looked and smelled when new. Rosehip oil can naturally be orange, especially in less processed versions, so orange colour alone is not a sign that the bottle has gone bad.2

Does a rosehip cream last as long as pure oil?

Do not transfer an expiry period from pure rosehip oil to a cream or lotion containing it. Water and oil mixtures can separate, and preservatives can break down over time. Follow the directions for the finished product rather than treating every rosehip formula as the same bottle.1

How long does jojoba oil last?

Jojoba oil is resistant to oxidation, the chemical change involved in oils becoming rancid, and is suitable for long storage. It is largely made of wax esters rather than being a typical plant oil. That stability does not give every jojoba product the same expiry date: follow the manufacturer's shelf life for the particular bottle.13

Where this answer comes from

  1. 1Shelf Life and Expiration Dating of Cosmeticsfda.gov
  2. 2Rose Hip Oil: Uses and Benefitshealth.clevelandclinic.org
  3. 3Evaluation of the Effect of Elite Jojoba Lines on the Chemical Properties of their Seed Oilpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov