Recently Sharon, our founder - saw something she's never seen before. A photo was sent to Company Headquarters from an overseas stockist, showing the open neck of the bottle of MV Pure Jojoba, with a solid mass floating inside. This particular MV stockist received the photo from an unhappy customer complaining something was very wrong with their product.
Immediately, wheels were set in motion to get to the bottom of this peculiar occurrence, and the very first thing MV's Production Manager decided to do was place a bottle of Pure Jojoba in the fridge. Sure enough, the very next day a lump of wax had formed due to the cool temperature.
For those unfamiliar with Jojoba Oil - it's not actually an oil at all. Jojoba is a unique liquid wax harvested from the seed of a desert shrub. And 'liquid' wax, when exposed to very cool temperatures, turns into a solid.
The simple solution - remove it from the fridge. The wax will return to a liquid and the product is then safe to continue using.
As a general rule, it's best to store most plant oils and waxes at room temperature* in a cool, dark place. Minimising exposure to light, which can speed up oxidation, is very important, hence why the more delicate oils such as Olive and Avocado are always packaged in dark glass. Refrigeration can also cause certain oils to solidify or become cloudy, making them difficult to pour.
Butter, such as Shea, Cocoa and Mango, should never be stored in a fridge as they can become grainy and lose its creamy, soft texture.
And, as anyone who cooks with coconut oil will know, it is solid in winter and a liquid, or semi-liquid in summer but - yet again - always best kept at room temperature as refrigeration can cause the coconut oil to lose some of its flavour and aroma.
So, when it comes to refrigeration, you can relax in the knowledge that your MV treatment oil blends are totally safe to store at room temperature BUT there's also a layer of added protection you need to know about.
Added protection in ALL MV's treatment oil blends ensures freshness up until the specified BB (best before) date.
Firstly, what is an MV treatment oil blend?
Think Skin Boosters (Rose Plus, Daily Soother & Instant Revival), 9 Oil Radiance Tonic, Aromatic Body Oil and Relaxing Body Oil.
And a reminder here that MV's Pure Jojoba is not an oil, it's a unique liquid wax similar to the skin's own sebum and is one single ingredient, not a treatment oil blend.
All MV treatment oil blends contain:
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Non-GM Vitamin E - a powerful antioxidant that helps protect plant oils from oxidation. Plant oils can be vulnerable to oxidation, which can cause them to become rancid and lose their beneficial properties. Vitamin E helps to prevent this by neutralising free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can cause oxidation and damage to the oils.
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant, which means it can penetrate the cell membranes of plant oils and neutralise free radicals before they can cause damage. This helps extend the plant oil's shelf life and maintain its quality and effectiveness.
Vitamin E is also a natural emollient that can help hydrate and moisturise the skin, as well as being a natural anti-inflammatory, allowing it to soothe and calm sensitive and sensitised skin.
- Rosemary Extract - like non-GM Vitamin E, rosemary extract is another powerful antioxidant. This extract contains several compounds including carnosic acid, rosmarinic acid and cffeic acid, which work together with Vitamin E to provide comprehensive antioxidant protection for both your skin and the product you have invested in.
- Essential Oils - are often considered natural co-preservatives in skincare because many contain antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that can help to prevent the growth of bacteria, mould, and other microorganisms. Natural and organic skincare brands tend to favour natural preservatives (commonly used in commercial skincare), so, essential oils serve not only as highly beneficial plant medicines for the skin but also as a bolster to some of the more natural preservative systems.
So, what MV products CAN be stored in the fridge, and why?
There are some MV products that can be stored in the fridge when temperatures soar, so if you live in a warm or tropical climate, here are the products you can keep in the fridge.
Store in the fridge during the hot summer months ✓
Gentle Cream Cleanser 70ml + 120ml
Rose Moisturiser 15ml + 70ml
Oxygen Moisturiser 15 + 70ml
Hand Rescue
Why?
Cream formulations contain a high percentage of water which means they are more susceptible to bacterial growth, separation or degradation when exposed to heat for extended periods of time. So, if you are at all worried about the freshness of your MV Gentle Cream Cleanser, Rose Soothing & Protective Moisturiser, Oxygen Moisturiser or Hand Rescue, feel free to store them in the fridge!
Please however be sure to place them either in the door or in the centre of the fridge, as the back and sides can sometimes temporarily freeze a product - which is not ideal.
*Room temperature varies depending on where in the world you live and tends to range between 19-25 degrees.
