If you’ve ever watched strawberries go from plump to “hmm, not today,” you already understand natural skincare. Just like fresh produce, the closer you are to the production date, the better the experience—scent, texture, and potency. That doesn’t mean everything suddenly “goes bad” on day 366, but it does mean freshness matters.

First things first: always check your dates

Skincare doesn’t follow one universal clock. Each formula ages differently based on water content, oils, packaging, and how you store and use it. That’s why you’ll see two dates on Simple Body packaging:

• SB = the date the product was made (think “Start Batch”).

• BB = the Best By date (our freshness window for peak performance).

Most retailers mark items down as they approach the BB date so they can sell and be used while they’re still at their best.

Water-based products: why a preservative is non-negotiable

Any product that contains water (toners, creams, gels, serums) must include a preservative system to prevent yeast, mold, and bacteria from growing. It’s a safety step for you—full stop.
At Simple Body, we use a gentle, nature-identical system (dehydroacetic acid and benzyl alcohol) and we challenge-test our water-based formulas in a lab. With normal use and good storage, these products carry a one-year shelf life from the SB date.

What that means for you: Enjoy them regularly. Don’t stash them in a drawer for “someday”—skin benefits compound with consistent use.

Oil-only formulas: great, but not immortal

Oils don’t need a traditional water-phase preservative, but they can oxidize over time (that’s the path to “rancid”). We still mark our oil-forward products with a one-year Best By date. After a year, it doesn’t necessarily mean unsafe—it often means reduced potency and changes in aroma or color. Antioxidants (like vitamin E) help, but they don’t freeze time.

How to spot oxidation: a crayon-like or cardboard smell, deepened color, or a tacky feel that wasn’t there before.

A special note about Beauty Balm (read this before you save it)

Our Beauty Balm is boosted with ascorbyl glucoside (a vitamin C derivative). Vitamin C is famously sensitive to heat, light, and air—so even in a well-designed balm, it degrades faster than other actives. We cap it at a 6-month shelf life.
Translation: use it daily after purchase. Don’t wait for a “special occasion.” Your future face will thank you.

Packaging matters (a lot): pumps > droppers

We’ve moved many formulas to treatment pumps rather than droppers. Why?

• Less air exposure: Every open-close cycle invites oxygen in, which speeds up oxidation.

• Fewer contaminants: Droppers can touch skin or surfaces; pumps reduce that risk.

• Consistent dosing: You get what you need without overhandling the formula.

We also use amber packaging to cut down on light exposure—another freshness win.

Storage rules that extend freshness

Think like a chef storing good olive oil:

• Keep it cool and dark. A closed cupboard (not a sunny shelf or hot bathroom) is ideal.

• Mind the lid. Oxygen is sneaky; close products tightly after each use.

• Keep the white seal. If your product ships with an inner seal, keep using it with the lid—extra air barrier = extra time.

• Clean hands only. Preservatives control a lot, but not endless re-introductions of microbes. Use a clean spoon or freshly washed fingers.

Shower PSA: That steamy micro-sauna is tough on actives. Store outside the shower when you can.

“Can I use it past the Best By date?”

Short answer: sometimes, yes—with your senses and common sense. If it looks, smells, and feels as it did originally—and you’ve stored it well—it’s often fine shortly past BB. If you notice separation that doesn’t recombine, off smells, color shifts, or irritation on application, it’s time to let it go.

Quick glossary: freshness, simplified

• SB date: When it was made.

• BB date: When we suggest using it by for peak results.

• Preservative (water-based): Stops microbe growth to keep you safe.

• Oxidation (oils): Slow reaction with oxygen that dulls performance and can cause rancidity.

Your freshness checklist

• Use water-based products within 12 months (sooner is even better).

• Use Beauty Balm within 6 months.

• Store cool, dark, and dry; keep lids tight; keep that inner seal.

• Wash hands or use a spatula before dipping.

• Prefer pumps over open jars or droppers when available.

One last thought—use the good stuff now

Natural skincare shines when it’s fresh. If you love something, use it daily. Your skin benefits more from consistent, regular use than from a shelf full of “I’ll get to it.” We hope these tips will help you understand the importance of not overstocking your shelves with product, but rather buying new product as you use up your last container–you really will notice a difference in your skin!
xoxo
Jewels