If you expose your essential oils to oxygen, light, or heat, they will oxidize and lose their potency, aroma, and therapeutic properties, and ultimately the Shelf life of Essential oils gets affected. Essential oils can lose some of their potency and quality due to the natural ageing process known as oxidation.
Table of Contents
Does essential oil have a shelf life?
To answer your question, yes, essential oils do have a shelf life. Essential oils, like other natural products, can degrade and lose their efficacy over time. There are a number of variables that can affect how long an essential oil will keep, such as the oil’s type, how it was stored, and how it was extracted. The shelf life of essential oils varies widely, from a few months to several years.
Storage conditions have a significant impact on the longevity of essential oils. Storing essential oils in a cool, dark place away from heat, light, and moisture is recommended. They need to be stored in airtight containers to avoid losing quality due to oxidation or evaporation. You should also put the date of purchase or opening on the bottle, so you can use the oils before they go bad.
There are a few telltale signs that can help you determine whether or not an essential oil has gone bad. Compared to when they were first bottled, essential oils that have passed their expiration date may lose some of their original potency or even change colour. They may also have a different texture than when they were first used. Any of these signs indicate that the essential oil has gone bad and needs to be thrown out.
Related Article: 20 Lemongrass Essential Oil Uses and Benefits, for Skin & Hair
What is oxidation, and how does it function?
When a substance reacts with oxygen, the result is a chemical change known as oxidation. To put it simply, oxidation is what happens to essential oils when they are exposed to oxygen, light, or heat. Essential oils can oxidise and lose their potency, aroma, and efficacy.
Essential oils should be kept in a cool, dark place because oxidation can be hastened by exposure to heat and light. An additional method for reducing oxidation involves storing oils in airtight containers.
There is a wide variation in the oxidation susceptibility of essential oils. It’s important to use some oils quickly while others have a longer shelf life and are more stable. You should keep your essential oils in a cool, dark place and use them before they go bad, or at least before their expiration date.
What happens to essential oils when they oxidise?
Essential oils can lose their potency and quality due to the chemical reaction of oxidation. Essential oils lose their potency, aroma, and therapeutic properties when exposed to oxygen.
Several factors influence how much oxidation affects essential oils; these include the oil’s composition, the method by which it was extracted, and the conditions under which it was stored. However, not all essential oils are created equal; some are more stable and can be stored for longer, while others degrade quickly and must be used up quickly.
Essential oils can be damaged by oxidation, but with the right storage, you can keep them in good condition for a long time. Storing essential oils in a cool, dark place away from heat, light, and moisture is recommended. They need to be stored in airtight containers to avoid losing quality due to oxidation or evaporation. If you follow these recommendations, your essential oils will stay fresh and potent for as long as possible.
Related Article: 11 Benefits of Gardenia Essential Oil
In what ways can essential oils be kept fresher for longer?
Your essential oils can be kept fresh for a longer period of time if you follow these steps:
- Keep essential oils in cool and dark place: Essential oils should be stored in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat sources to slow the oxidation process, which can happen more quickly at higher temperatures.
- Keep in airtight container: Store your essential oils in airtight containers, like amber or blue glass bottles, to keep them from oxidising and drying out.
- Keep it in clean place: Keep your essential oils in a clean, dry place, away from other chemicals and products, and always use clean hands and utensils when working with them.
- Keep in correct temperature: The longevity of some essential oils can be increased by storing them in the refrigerator. Some oils, however, may thicken or cloud up if kept in the fridge for too long, so it’s important to check the specific storage requirements of each oil.
- Put the date of purchase or opening on the bottle’s label so you can use the oil before it goes bad.
If you follow these steps, your essential oils will stay fresh and potent for as long as possible.
How long will most essential oils keep if stored properly?
The length of time an essential oil will remain effective in a given application can vary depending on a number of factors such as the oil’s composition, the method by which it was extracted, and the conditions under which it was stored. Essential oils vary in how long they can be stored. A few of the most popular essential oils and their approximate storage lifetimes are listed below:
- Lavender: 2-3 years
- Peppermint: 2-3 years
- Lemon: 1-2 years
- Tea tree: 1-2 years
- Eucalyptus: 1-2 years
- Rosemary: 1-2 years
- Clove: 2-3 years
- Geranium: 1-2 years
- Jasmine: 2-3 years
- Ylang-ylang: 2-3 years
Essential oils vary greatly in terms of their stability and shelf life. The following essential oils have a potential shelf life of 5 years or more if stored and cared for properly:
- Frankincense: 5-10 years
- Sandalwood: 5-10 years
- Black Pepper: 5-10 years
- Cedarwood: 5-10 years
- Ginger: 5-10 years
- Patchouli: 5-10 years
- Rosewood: 5-10 years
- Turmeric: 5-10 years
- Rose: 5-10 years
Keep in mind that these are just rough estimates, and the actual shelf life of an essential oil can change depending on factors like how it was stored and was handled. In order to keep your essential oils fresh for as long as possible, you should keep them in a cool, dark place, out of the reach of heat, light, and moisture, and in airtight containers to prevent evaporation and oxidation.
Related Article: Benefits and Uses of Oregano Oil
How to tell if an essential oil is expired:
You can tell if your essential oil has gone bad by looking for these things:
First, the scent may change or be diminished in essential oils that have passed their expiration date. When an essential oil loses or alters its aroma, it may have passed its expiration date.
Second, as essential oils age or oxidise, their colour may shift. One sign that an essential oil has gone bad is if it has changed colour from when it was first purchased.
Thirdly, the texture of expired essential oils can shift from thin and watery to thick and viscous. You can tell an essential oil has gone bad if its consistency has changed from when you first bought it.
Lastly, it may be time to replace your essential oil if you notice that it isn’t as potent as it once was or isn’t having the desired effect.
Lastly, it may be time to replace your essential oil if you notice that it isn’t as potent as it once was or isn’t having the desired effect.
Essential oils have a shelf life of about a year, and if you are unsure of when that time has passed, it is best to err on the side of caution and get rid of it. Essential oils that have passed their expiration date may no longer be effective or safe to use because they may have lost their potency, aroma, and therapeutic properties.
What is the best way to handle “expired” essential oils?
Past their prime or no longer fresh, expired essential oils should be thrown away rather than used. Essential oils that have passed their expiration date may no longer be effective or safe to use due to a loss of their potency, aroma, and therapeutic properties.
This is how you get rid of old essential oils:
- Dilute the oil: Before disposing of the oil, you can diluted it with water or a carrier oil if it is still in liquid form. If the oil ever comes into contact with skin or surfaces, this will lessen the likelihood of harm occurring.
- Absorb the oil: You can use a paper towel or other absorbent material to absorb the oil if it is solid or has thickened before you discard it.
- Properly dispose of the oil: After it has been diluted or absorbed, you can throw it away in the trash. Put the oil in a tightly sealed bag or other container to avoid any mishaps.
Expired essential oils can be disposed of in a responsible and secure manner by following these instructions. Remember that essential oils are highly concentrated substances and use extreme caution when working with them.
Related Article: 9 Best Essential Oils for Relaxation
Is it dangerous to use expired essential oils?
Essential oils lose their potency and safety after their expiration date. Essential oils that have expired may have lost their fragrance and therapeutic value. Using essential oils that have passed their expiration date runs the risk of causing skin irritations or other negative reactions.
Essential oils are highly concentrated substances that can cause serious harm if used improperly. To get the most out of therapeutic applications of essential oils, it is best to use oils that are both fresh and of high quality. To be safe, it’s best to toss out an essential oil if you are unsure of its expiration date.
In conclusion, using essential oils that have passed their expiration date carries the risk that they will not be effective or safe to use, and may even cause skin reactions or irritations. For maximum efficacy, always use freshly extracted oils of the highest quality, and store them correctly.
How to Recycle an Essential Oil Bottle
Methods for recycling empty essential oil bottles are outlined below.
- You should research your community’s recycling policies, as many places have strict regulations regarding which materials can and cannot be recycled. If you want to recycle some old containers but aren’t sure if they’ll do so or how they prefer them to be cleaned out, call your local recycling centre or waste management company.
- Drain any remaining oil before recycling the container. Cleaning the container can be done by wiping it down with a paper towel or absorbent material, or by rinsing it in hot water with a mild detergent.
- Rinse the container with hot water to get rid of any lingering remnants of oil and other debris.
- Dry the container by letting it air dry or patting it dry with a paper towel before recycling it.
- After the container has been cleaned and dried, it can be recycled by throwing it away or taking it to a designated recycling centre.
- After the container has been cleaned and dried, it can be recycled by throwing it away or taking it to a designated recycling centre.
It’s easy to recycle your used essential oil containers by adhering to these guidelines. Please note that not all containers can be recycled; for more information, contact your local recycling centre or waste management company.
Important things to know about essential oils
Here are a few essential oils takeaways:
- Just like other natural products, essential oils can degrade and lose their efficacy over time, so it’s important to use them before they go bad.
- Essential oils are susceptible to degradation due to oxidation because it is a natural process: Essential oils lose their potency, aroma, and therapeutic properties when exposed to oxidation, which can be triggered by oxygen, light, or heat.
- Essential oils can be preserved for a longer period of time if they are stored properly; specifically, they should be kept in a cool, dark place away from heat, light, and moisture, and in airtight containers to prevent evaporation and oxidation.
- Avoid using essential oils that have expired or are no longer fresh by disposing of them properly. Essential oils that have passed their expiration date may no longer be effective or safe to use because they may have lost their potency, aroma, and therapeutic properties.
- Many types of essential oil containers can be recycled as long as they are clean and dry, which is the case with the vast majority of essential oil containers. If you want to recycle empty essential oil containers, it’s best to call your town’s recycling centre or waste management firm to find out the specifics.
Conclusion
In conclusion, oxidation of essential oils occurs naturally when oils are exposed to oxygen, light, or heat. Essential oils’ quality and efficacy can be diminished by oxidation, so it’s important to store them correctly to keep them fresh for as long as possible. Keep your essential oils in good condition for as long as possible by storing them in a cool, dark place away from heat, light, and moisture and by putting them in airtight containers to prevent evaporation and oxidation. Marking the purchase or opening date on the bottle helps you use the oils before essential oil expire.
Disclaimer: This article is only written for basic and general informational purposes only. The Statements contained here have not been evaluated by the FDA and neither the efficacy of these products has been confirmed by FDA-approved research. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. There’s no guarantee of specific results and the results can vary. Users must not view the content as medical advice in any way. Users are also required to ’NOT SELF-MEDICATE’ and always consult your health care professional before taking any medicines or undergoing any treatment. DivyaAyushCare and the author will not be responsible for any act or omission by the User arising from the User’s interpretation of the content.
