Storage and shelf life

Essential oils change when they meet air, heat and light. This is oxidation. An oxidised oil smells flat or sharp and is more likely to irritate skin, so an old bottle is better replaced than used up.

How long an oil keeps

These are the figures commonly cited from Robert Tisserand's guidelines, for oils kept cool and tightly closed. If an oil is kept at room temperature instead, halve them.

Type	Examples	Cool and closed
Citrus and other light, fresh oils	Lemon, orange, bergamot, grapefruit, lime, neroli, frankincense, spruce, pine, tea tree	1 to 2 years
Most other oils	Lavender, geranium, rosemary, peppermint, chamomile	2 to 3 years
Base-note woods and roots	Sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli	4 to 8 years

The date you open a bottle starts the clock, so write it on the label.

Store it well

Dark glass, cap on tight. Close the bottle straight after use.
Cool. A cupboard away from the stove and window is good. The refrigerator is better for citrus oils; let the bottle come to room temperature before opening so moisture does not condense inside.
Upright and away from light.
Move down in size. As an oil runs low, decant it into a smaller bottle so there is less air above it.
Out of reach of children and pets. Keep oils in their original bottles with the label on. See babies and essential oils.

Signs an oil has turned

The scent has gone sharp, sour, flat or like paint thinner.
The oil is cloudier or thicker than it was.
A sticky film around the cap.

An old oil can still be used in a candle holder, a cleaning mix or a scent burner, but not on skin. If it has turned, do not put it on skin.

Blends and carrier oils

A blend lasts only as long as its shortest-lived ingredient. Carrier oils turn rancid too; see choosing a carrier oil. A blend in a roll-on is best used within 3 to 6 months.

Please note: shelf-life figures are estimates. Your nose is a good guide.

Sources

More guides

Questions about an oil or a blend? aura.elixir@outlook.com

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