Some people worry that their essential oils might expire after some time. This may cause them to use the oils nun necessarily or even throw them away. Fortunately, oils do not actually expire. However, it does slowly oxidise, losing its therapeutic value. As a result, an old bottle of essential oil will generally not be as effective as a new bottle.
With that in mind, let us talk about the signs that your essential oils have deteriorated and what you can do to maximise their shelf life.
Signs of deterioration
There are a few signs to look out for when figuring out if your essential oils have deteriorated. One of the first signs is that the aroma or smell of the oil is not as potent as before. Another sign is that the oil itself has thickened or thinned, depending on the type of oil. Finally, the last sign is that the oil itself has gotten cloudy, which is a sign that oxidation has taken place.
Keep in mind some of the signs above may be more obvious in specific oils than others. What is important is that you get used to how the oil smells, looks, and feels when you first purchase it. From there, any changes might be little flags signalling deterioration.
If you do want to throw your oils away because you feel they are too old, you can check with your waste disposal service or city about the proper disposal of your oils. Try not to pour them down the sink, as this can lead to clogging and other plumbing issues.
Extending the shelf life
When you store your essential oils well, expect them to last over two years—but that depends on the type of oil. Regardless, here is what you can do to extend the shelf life of your essential oils.
Oils should not be exposed to light or heat and kept in a cool, dry place like a medicine cabinet or drawer. Dark bottles also reduce light entering the bottle as well, slowing down the deterioration process. Another thing is that you should limit how often you open the containers. A good way to ensure this is to place the oils in smaller containers so that you can open one at a time while the rest are safely stored away.
For instance, if you have a 100ml bottle of essential oil, you can separate it into five 20ml bottles. The four can stay sealed away while you use one, keeping the others safe from oxidation.
Conclusion
Proper essential oil storage is a sure-fire way to ensure they last as long as possible, giving you maximum benefits every time you decide to use them. That said, here is one final tip for maximising oil storage: grab some round labels and write down information on top of the bottles, such as their purchase date and type of oil. This will allow you to easily track what bottle contains what oil and also give you a brief idea of which oil to use before it deteriorates.
Anita’s Oil essentials is a family-run business offering aromatherapy accessories at excellent prices. If you are looking for essential oil supplies in Australia, check out what we have to offer!