Would you still use your oils......?

[Leahs mommy]

Just wondering how long you use your essential oils for once they have been opened. When I trained we were told about 18mths, but I understand this varies between essential oils - e.g. citrus oils have a shorter shelf life.

I bought a range of essential oils exactly one year ago. Some have hardly been used, but they have all been opened at least a couple of times.

Whats the general opinion on shelf life for using these in massage? Worried about causing skin reaction etc!!

thanks
x

 

[madiesmum]

hellokitty,

It all depends on the quality of the oils. Pure unadulterated therapeutic grade essential oils can last thousands of years, as long as they are stored in a cool dark place. The oils found in the ancient Egyptian tombs all got better with age. If your oils are diluted in carrier oils, it depends on which carrier oil, some go rancid, others do not. Also, are the carrier oils blended. When these oils are mixed they last longer. So to answer your question, the essential oil will still be good, unless it is synthetic, as many are, the carrier oil it is diluted in may not.

 

[Kaz]

Hi there,

I was told by my course tutor that the resinous oils get better with age, most are ok up to 12-18 months after being opened but the citrus ones tend to lose some of their more medicinal properties.

Clare x

 

[AaronTassle]

Hi,

I would suggest using your nose to see how vital the oil is - also look at the oil if it is darkening or cloudy at all chuck it out. Otherwise keep using them. Best before dates are only a guideline.

Luv Binah
x

 

[guitarist_147]

citrus oils will oxidise into terpenes which are skin irritants. They can still be used in a burner, just not a good idea on skin. My skin is quite sensitive to terpenes - a new citrus oil is no problems, use the same oil twelve months later and it gives me a mild burn, it is not that is was processed badly, it is just the chemical reaction with the air in the bottle. Most citrus oils will go darker when they oxidise. I find I usually start to react to the terpenes a couple of months before the use by date.

Resin oils do improve with age (these are the type the Egyptian oils found are), but most pure unadulterated therapeutic grade essential oils CANNOT last thousands of years, even if they are stored in a cool dark place. Except for citrus oils, I think a 12 month use by date is over cautious for most essential oils, but at least it gives you an idea of how old the essential oils are and if you notice any changes (as Binah mentions), you can understand it's because they are old. EOs in carrier oils, unless in jojoba, you usually notice the carrier oil is rancid before the EOs are a problem.