Using essential oils is trending right now. If you are enjoying diffusing them, you know that they can do everything from help boost your mood to reduce the anxiety you feel. Indeed, a lot of people like to collect essential oils so that they have one for every occasion. This means they have a lot of open bottles at one time.
So, the big question is; can essential oils expire? We all know that natural essential oils can be costly. The last thing you want is to have several bottles open for them to expire. So, let’s find out the answer.
Do They Expire?
Let’s get straight to the point. Yes, essential oils do expire. But, something to realise is that essential oils do not expire in the same way as other things do. This is true even if there are oils with natural ingredients. For instance, mould is not generally a problem you are going to see and there might not be an unpleasant odour with some oils.
There are three things that often make essential oil expire. This is oxygen when the bottle is left open. Another reason is that the ingredients have been exposed to light. In addition, heat can be a reason for the expiration of essential oils.
You are going to have to look for more subtle signs to know if your essential oils have expired. Here are some that you should look out for.
Less Aromatic
Did the essential oil have a lovely scent when you first opened it but now this is gone? This can be a sign that it is past its best. Perhaps some of the ingredients have started to fade and lose their freshness due to oxidation. Alternatively, you might think that the essential oil has changed in the way that it smells. Again, this is a bad sign.
A Different Colour
Sometimes, an oil can smell the same but be a different colour when you use it. Again, this is not something that should happen. It is possible that some oils can darken in colour or go cloudy. If you are in doubt when you are using the product, it is best to throw it away and buy a new one.
Change in Consistency
You might even notice a change in the consistency of the essential oil. For example, it could become thicker or it might even become thinner. It will be up to you to take a note of what it is like when it is first opened. Then, you will be able to know if it changes over time. Try to remember how the essential oil comes out of the dropper.
How to Extend the Life of Essential Oils
Let’s be honest and say that 100 per cent natural essential oils are not cheap. When you are buying several oils, you want to get your money’s worth. So, the last thing you want is for them to expire before you have had an opportunity to use them. Here are some tips to extend the duration of your oils.
Always Seal Them After Use
If you diffuse oils on a regular basis, you might get lazy when it comes to storage. For example, you may leave the bottles lying around and not put the caps on after using them. But, this is not a habit you want to develop. Leaving the caps off the bottles can allow oxygen in and this can break down the ingredients. So, always make sure you seal the bottles.
Store in a Cool and Dark Place
Do you leave essential oils in direct sunlight? This is a mistake and it can reduce the quality of ingredients. When the ingredients are exposed to high temperatures, this can lead to oxidation. So, to avoid this, it is best to store your oils somewhere that is cool and dark. There are even some people that will keep it in a small refrigerator.
Choose the Ingredients Carefully
According to some research, there are ingredients that last longer than others. So, if you want to make sure that your essential oils last a long time, be careful what ones you select. For example, Indian sandalwood is said to last around six years. In addition, peppermint, ylang ylang and cedarwood might last around four to five years. Of course, this is still going to be dependent on how they are stored. But, it is said they can last longer than citrus essential oils, such as tangerine, blood orange and lemon.
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