How long do essential oils last? This is a question that many people ask. The essential oil has been used for centuries by the Chinese, Egyptians, Indians, and Greeks as a natural remedy to treat ailments such as headaches and insomnia. Today, it is still widely used throughout the world to help relieve stress and improve moods.
The reason why essential oil lasts so long is due to their chemical composition – they are made up of volatile compounds which evaporate very easily when exposed to air or sunlight. In this article, we will be discussing how long essential oils last based on factors such as storage conditions and exposure to light!
What are essential oils
Essential oil is a natural oil obtained from plants which has many therapeutic properties. It is extracted by steam distillation or cold pressing and they are usually diluted in oils like almond, olive oil, coconut oil, etc to form what we call essential oil blends (such as massage oil).
There are specific uses for each type of essential oil based on the plant it’s derived from. For example peppermint might be good for headaches but lavender would work better if you have insomnia!
How long do they last
The shelf life of an individual essential oil will vary depending on how well it was stored when not being used (the less exposure to air/sunlight the longer it lasts), temperature and light conditions during storage.
Essential oil shelf life can range anywhere from 12 months to 30 years, but it depends on how well they were stored. If the oil is exposed to air and sunlight, its shelf life will be much shorter than if it was kept in a dark place at room temperature. Some essential oils last longer when refrigerated as the low temperatures also help slow down oxidation of molecules by slowing down molecular motion.
It’s always best practice to store your oil in an amber or cobalt blue glass bottle which blocks out light and keep them away from heat sources like ovens!
This may vary depending on the oil being diffused. For example, peppermint oil might have a shorter life span than lavender oil because it’s more potent and therefore needs to be diluted with carrier oil before use.
The shelf life of essential oil is impacted by how it’s stored and used. For example, some will last much longer than others if they’re kept in a cool dark place or away from light exposure which can lead them to become cloudy as well (especially citrus essential oils).
How long do essential oils last in a diffuser?
The longevity of essential oil will depend on the base material it’s stored in. Some oils, like those with light-duty carrier molecules like alcohols or ethylacetate can only stay potent for a few months before they begin to break down into other substances – this is why you should always get new bottles every year even if there appears no change from the previous ones. In contrast, terpenes that carry more plant nutrients tend not just last much longer but also improve over time due to their synergistic effects between various plants parts being absorbed together by our bodies.
Rules for storing essential oils
The use of essential oils, the fragrance of which is able to have a positive effect on one’s physical and mental state, has been known to mankind since ancient times. But even if your purchased oil is of perfect quality, improper storage in the long term will negate all the benefits of aromatherapy sessions and, moreover, can cause significant harm to the body – from mild irritation to acute intoxication.
By following the tips below, you will significantly prolong the lifespan of your aromatic oils and rest assured that aromatherapy at home will bring you only benefits and pleasure.
- Keep your oils in tightly sealed dark glass vials. Transparency of glass should never exceed 50%. Direct sunlight is destructive to the aromatic compounds. To protect the product from the sun, you can put it in any opaque container.
- Always seal the bottles tightly after use. Essential oils are volatile substances. They will evaporate from a loosely sealed bottle losing their properties and creating a very obtrusive smell.
- Strictly adhere to temperature control. Store your oils at temperatures between 0 and 30 degrees Celsius (32 to 86 Fahrenheit). If they still get exposed to low temperatures, allow them to sit at room temperature for a few hours before use. Do not try to warm the bottle up abruptly! Dramatic temperature changes can cause essential oils to lose some of their properties. Besides, heating them might be dangerous.
- Essential oils are highly flammable, so never store them near open flames or heaters. Try not to store them in large containers. Vials of 10 to 20 ml are ideal for long-term storage at home.
- Like any medicine, aromatic oils should be stored out of the reach of children. Large doses of oil taken orally can cause poisoning and/or burns of the esophagus. These oils can also cause irritation or allergic reaction upon the contact with delicate children’s skin.
Essential oils are highly potent substances. If stored improperly and/or expired, they become not just useless but downright dangerous.
Can an essential oil be used after the expiry date and is it safe to do so?
Considering the fact that some oils have no expiry date, it can be assumed that they can be used even after they have expired according to the label inscription.
Is it true? On the one hand, yes. Many oils don’t spoil, and if they haven’t been opened throughout the shelf life but are opened after the expiry date, they are likely to be very usable.
But is it worth the risk? I think not. The fact is that oils that have already been bottled and have had minimal contact with sunlight or plastic lids cannot be perfectly safe to use. And the reason for that is the oxidation.
Oxidation provokes unpredictable reactions, can cause allergies or mild burns. In some cases, it can cause severe disease, skin cancer.
So, the best recommendation here is don’t risk your health and refrain from using expired oils.
Also, don’t forget that essential oils can go bad during their shelf life. This is another good reason to give up using them.
The following signs may indicate that an oil has deteriorated:
- It lost its clarity and got cloudy
- The pleasant, intense aroma got weak and/or unpleasant
- It got sticky and viscous
If you notice at least one of these signs, get rid of the oils that have gone bad.
How long does a bottle of essential oils last?
You may be wondering how long your bottle of oils will last. The truth is, it depends on the carrier and strength but most experts say 2 years should do.
With the proper care, essential oils can last up to 15 years without losing their effectiveness. This is an incredible amount of time. A lot goes into determining how long your favorite scents will withstand exposure and deterioration from everyday use; it all depends on what type you choose as well as where they were made or grown (for example: organic versus conventionally raised).
Tips for using essential oils in everyday life
- Keep oil bottles away from light and heat sources like ovens/radiators.
- Store oils in amber or cobalt blue glass bottle to help them last longer.
- Use oil diffusers instead of oil bottles – this will release the scent without exposing it to oxygen or sunlight! The more diluted your carrier with water, generally speaking, the less oil your oil diffuser will need to produce the desired effect.
- It’s always best practice to store essential oils in a dark place away from heat sources and direct sunlight!
Exposure is one factor that determines how long essential oil lasts as opposed to storage conditions alone. not all essential oils have similar shelf lives because some may be more potent than others according to its source plant, for example peppermint oil has much shorter lasting potency than lavender oil due to extractions from different plants oil diffusers are one of the most common ways to use essential oils because they release oil into the air and surrounding area.
We hope you found this article helpful! Essential oil’s longevity can vary depending on storage conditions and exposure to light, but we recommend using them within 12 months of purchase for best results. If you have any more questions about the shelf life of these products or want some help finding your perfect match, feel free to contact our team at contact us. What is your favorite type of essential oil?
