Shelf Life and Storage Information for Our Products and Ingredients
Finished Products - generally don't need to be refrigerated as they are preserved, but you can refrigerate them to extend their shelf life. The shelf life for most products is 9-12 months. Vitamin C Serum(s) and VitaResurface products should continually be refrigerated to extend their shelf life. Sample Sizes - do have a shorter shelf life (generally 3-6 months), and items in jars can dry up quicker than this if the lid is not tightened well enough (Vitamin C Serums - use within 90 days).
Please Keep Your Products Out of Humidity, Heat, Direct Light and in a Dark Cabinet When Possible
Exfoliating Acid - products have a shelf life of 9-12 months. The only things we don't suggest refrigerating are the Mandelic Acid Serums or Salicylic Acid Serums, as they can crystallize in the refrigerator. If this happens, you can set the product into a hot water bath to see if the crystals will dissolve.
Additional Items That Require Refrigeration and/or Kept in the Dark
Hydrosols and Distillates - remove 1 ounce of hydrosol and add it to a separate, sterilized spray bottle and spritzer. Keep the larger bottle in the refrigerator. Carrier and Exotic Oils - generally refrigerate all carrier oils, although some very rich oils will solidify. This is fine. All you have to do is take the oil out, warm it up at room temperature, and it should liquefy. If not, set the bottle in a hot water bath and occasionally shake the bottle, which will hopefully turn into a liquid. Some oils, like coconut cream and jojoba oil, have a super long shelf life.
Refrigeration of The Following Ingredients is Not Necessary, But it Won't hurt
Essential Oils - essential oils are best stored in a cool, dark place. Co2 Extracts - these should continually be refrigerated. Butters - we suggest refrigerating our "skincare" butters. You can remove what you need and keep the rest in the fridge. Clays - keep in a dry, dark place. Shelf life is at least 2 years. Herbs All herbs <i>(whole or ground)</i> should be kept in a dark, cool, and dry location. Herbal (liquid) Extracts are created using grain alcohol. The alcohol pulls the constituents (properties) from each herb, root, trunk, leaf, and flower. They have a shelf life of 3-5 years. They can be stored in the refrigerator or a dark, dry place. Other Raw Ingredients - such as Sodium PCA, Honeyquat, Oat Beta Glucan, etc., will all have different shelf lives.
Black Garlic Fermentation (more bio-available to the skin) Don't shy away from topical garlic if you are opposed to eating it anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic
Coffee Fruit Extract high in anti-oxidants, excellent for reducing redness in the skin
Ecogel natural thickener
Resveratrol resveratrol functions [in plants] as a phytoalexin, a substance produced by plants that can inhibit the growth of infecting fungi or other pathogens. As a 'nutraceutical', Resveratrol [which offers the dark brown look to this serum], presents itself with antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective activities which fight the degradation of cell functioning to fight the free-radicals
Please I beg that this product never be discontinued. I have been using this alongside some other products from GOW when multiple breakouts began popping up on my face & this has literally been the counterattack & it has also decreased the duration of the breakout from lingering.
Thank you so much for your kind words about our Pre-Emptive Strike Skin Protectant! We are thrilled to hear that it has been a serious skin savior for you in combating breakouts. We understand how frustrating and lingering acne can be, so we are happy to hear that our product has been able to decrease the duration of your breakouts. Rest assured, we have no plans of discontinuing this popular product. Thank you for choosing GOW as part of your skin care routine and we hope to continue providing you with great results.
M
MW
Anti-inflammation & blemish secret weapon
When I ordered this I was nervous about the possibility of it having a very strong odor, but it really doesn't. The scent is mild and it fades quickly. I will be ordering a large bottle now, as it really does keep blemishes at bay and it also reduces inflammation of any current breakout. I find it to be mildly hydrating but I also have dry skin. It is perfect layered over a hydrating mist and my emu oil.
Thank you so much for your review! We're glad you are loving this!
Z
Zosha
Can't go without it
Another reviewer called this an anytime product- I definitely agree. While I often apply it to my full face in the morning under sunscreen, it's also great to have on hand when you notice a lurking blemish or irritated spot in the middle of the day. It glides on smooth, dries down satiny with no residual stickiness, and plays nicely with all of my other skincare and makeup products. This is particularly great for that itchy-swollen feeling hormonal breakouts can have as it's really effective at soothing the irritation. Aside from breakouts, I've used a bit on rosacea flares to great effect. Definitely a workhorse product for me.
So glad you are liking this product!
H
Hunter
Amazing
I got the .25oz size of this to try it out. It's a weird little product. I couldn't figure out when to use it - morning or night, with other serums or on its own, after a mask?? The answer is "anytime", because it's truly fantastic. I keep finding myself reaching for it when my skin is being a little problematic. I have a tendency for acne and clogged pores, and while this doesn't seem to be clearing what's there (maybe minorly), it keeps any acne I have from getting worse or more inflamed and makes my skin look supple and glowy. I've been using it under a vitamin A cream I use at night, and the combination has my skin looking like porcelain in the morning. It does not make me oily or dry me out, and it has a slight earthy smell, which I like. It's brown and has the texture of a more gel-like liquid. Just repurchased the full size, since I don't want to be without, but the smaller size really lasts a long time (3 weeks and still have some left), as you only need about a drop out of the squeeze bottle for your whole face.
Hi Jennifer!
This is actually very exciting to hear. The winter weather kills almost everyone's skin.
Thank you for taking the time to let everyone know.
Warmly,
Markey
Despite having dry eczema prone skin on my body, heavily occlusive oils are a huge no. This oil was THE best thing to happen to my sad winter skin. The "linoleic content" in sunflower seed and the other oils isn't just to sound fancy, it's actual science in action. And then the bit of avocado and cocoa butters add just enough luxurious nourishment and my skin is left feeling conditioned without feeling suffocated or like I need to itch off the product! Tried some other brand oils in between, but nothing compared. Thank you GoW for making these products that actually work. I could cry.
Hi S.
This was a beautiful note to read. Thank you for trusting us with your skin and for sharing such a thoughtful experience. We’re so glad this blend has supported you when your skin needed it most.
Thank you for being part of our community.
Warmly, Your GoW Crew
I love the smell and the glow you have after using it.
Pineapple & Red Wine Exfoliating Gel
Jennifer Goldberg
Can finally tolerate dry air
Can finally tolerate dry air.
Ceramide Hydrating Complex Serum with Cosmocil CQ
SV
Miracle
Beta glucans for the win! This really did wonders for my dry skin. I feel like it does more than HA alone. I have combination skin and eczema and I did not experience any issues regarding acne or irritation.
Oat Enriched Facial Serum
Anonymous
TXA - the wonder drug
I just started using the TXA+Z Radiance Serum so it’s a little too soon to tell if it will help with my dark patches but I think it’s starting to help. As a surgical RN, I am very familiar with TXA (given IV) and find it an amazing and very useful drug in the OR so I have no doubt it will be beneficial on my skin.
Most effective clean aluminum-free plant-based deodorant
I've been using clean plant-based deodorant for a decade, and this seems to do the best job of controlling odors that develop because of hormones, stress, and exercise. When I saw the size of the bottle, I checked to make sure I hadn't ordered the trial size; however, this tiny bottle delivers a lot in a small dot applied to each armpit and will likely last several weeks.
Rosemary and Mint Deodorant Gel
Melanie McCarthy
Absolutely Love this oil!!
I have quite a variety of carrier oils from GOW that I rotate depending on what my skin needs and love each and every one, but I absolutely love the way my skin looks and feels when I use the prickly pear, to me it feel light and smoothing, has the faintest natural smell which I love in the carrier oils, and just feels so great on the skin!! I love using it under my eyes especially!!!
Prickly Pear Seed Oil - The Secret to Timeless Radiance
Anonymous
I love this hand cream!
I love this hand cream! I especially love that it has zero fragrance. It works great for me. Thank you!!!
Quiet Glow Hand Crème
Evita
Love the size and scent
I'm researching on updating my cleanser routine as periodically skin needs change. I bought a sample and have used 2-3 times. This cleanser foams once applied on wet skin. The pumpkin scent is not overpowering and my face feels soft. The sample size gives one plenty to determine if its right for you. I'll use it to change up my routine over the winter months.
Fall Into My Pumpkin Cleanser
Meredith B.
Wonderful, gentle serum for acne
I absolutely love GoW's Salicylic Acid 2% (Alcohol Free) serum. On my skin, it prevents/reduces acne in the gentlest way possible - it's calming, moisturizing, and reduces redness, all while keeping my pores clearer.