Introduction.

In recent years, the skincare industry has had a surge in the popularity of face oils. Renowned for their ability to moisturize, nourish, and rejuvenate the skin, face oils have become a staple in many skincare routines. However, as people strive to enhance the effectiveness of their skincare routines, I cannot overstate the importance of proper storage. An often overlooked aspect is the type of container used to store face oils. I see tons of face oils on the market packaged in plastic or clear glass bottles, and I shake my head. In this post, I will explain why opaque glass should be the only choice for storing face oils to safeguard their potency and purity.

Face oils contain delicate ingredients.

Face oils are comprised of delicate oils with potent active ingredients that are extremely susceptible to degradation when exposed to light, heat, and air. Unlike water-based/synthetic skincare products, which contain preservatives to inhibit microbial growth and extend shelf life, face oils rely on the inherent stability of their ingredients to maintain their efficacy.

Opaque glass stops photo-oxidation.

Light exposure can degrade face oils through a process called photooxidation. This occurs when energy from light, including lightbulbs but particularly UV light (sunlight), interacts with the molecules in the oil, creating a chemical reaction that alters its composition. This chemical reaction breaks bonds within the molecules and causes free radicals to form. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons; they are known to attack collagen, weaken your skin barrier, and trigger inflammation and premature aging, so you definitely don’t want to be applying them directly to your skin through your skincare products!

When these free radicals form, they trigger a reaction that leads to the formation of peroxides, aldehydes, and other compounds that affect the oil's scent, color, texture, and composition. Its beneficial compounds, such as fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants, will degrade and diminish the oil’s effectiveness. This means that the oil is no longer capable of nourishing and protecting your skin.

When you use a face oil packaged in clear glass, it is highly likely that the oil inside is teeming with free radicals and is no longer as effective for skin care. When you use a face oil packaged in opaque glass, the oil is protected from damaging light exposure and maintains it’s purity and potency.

Glass ensures stability.

Another advantage of glass, in general, is its inert nature, which prevents interaction between the container and its contents. Unlike plastic containers, which can leach chemicals into the oil when they are used as long-term storage vessels, opaque glass maintains the stability of the formulation. This is particularly crucial for face oils, which are free from synthetic preservatives and additives. By choosing face oils packaged in glass bottles, you can trust that your skincare products remain free from contamination, preserving their benefits for your skin.

Orifice reducers vs droppers to preserve potency.

Aside from making sure your face oil is packaged in opaque glass, one other factor plays a huge role in preserving the potency of your oil: the style of dispenser used on the bottle. The vast majority of face oils use a dropper-style cap, which unscrews and leaves the oil exposed at the top of the bottle.

I am not a fan of dropper-style caps for two reasons. First, it is so easy to spill your oil out and lose the product. Second, and most importantly, face oils are extremely prone to oxidation from air exposure. Every time you open a bottle that uses a dropper-style cap, the oil is exposed to oxygen and moisture in the air, which can drastically degrade the oil.

In the same way that light causes photo-oxidation, exposure to oxygen will trigger the breakdown of compounds in the oil and the formation of free radicals. In my opinion, the best way to combat this is to use an orifice reducer instead of a dropper-style cap. An orifice reducer prevents excess oxygen from entering the bottle by forming a barrier across the opening, dispensing the oil drop by drop. This drastically reduces the chance of oxidation, and as a bonus- it makes your face oil spill-proof!

Our Holy Grail Face Oil is packaged in opaque glass with an orifice reducer.

I worked on the formula for our Holy Grail Face Oil for two years, testing it and developing it with my facial clients to ensure its efficacy. Once I finalized the formula, I wanted to make sure we could deliver it in the best way possible, so I chose a custom-made opaque glass bottle fitted with an orifice reducer as a dispenser. The bottles are made in Mexico City at a state-of-the-art facility that uses clean energy and recycled glass to produce our bespoke design that keeps our oil incredibly fresh and potent.

Conclusion.

If you are using face oil packaged in plastic or clear glass, I recommend switching it to an opaque glass bottle. If you can find a bottle with an orifice reducer instead of a dropper-style cap, that is even better! Being conscious of these two things will go a long way toward preserving the potency, purity, and stability of your face oil, which ultimately ensures you reap the maximum benefits for your skin.