Properly storing essential oils will prolong their shelf life. The conditions that your essential oils are stored in can have an impact on their quality. Here are a few tips on storing your essential oils.
How long can you store essential oils?
Some references on essential oils advise that one should throw away oils every six months and should purchase a fresh quantity.
This is not valid for pure unadulterated essential oils. If you’re using pure distilled therapeutic grade essential oils, you don’t need to worry.
Essential oils have been found in Egyptian tombs that were still aromatic and effective even after thousands of years.
When stored correctly essential oils can last a long time and still maintain their potency.
Pure essential oils have antibacterial and anti-viral properties and they do not contain water giving them a very long shelf life. Once they are exposed to heat and light though it can change the chemical structure of the oil, so it’s important to store your essential oils in the right conditions or they will lose their therapeutic benefits.
Should essential oils be stored in the refrigerator?
As heat can change the chemical structure of the oil and causes an oxidation process, storing your essential oil in the fridge isn’t necessary but is okay to do so.
All essential oils need is to be stored somewhere dry, cool and out of the light.
What is the best way to store essential oils?
It is best to store essential oils in dark glass bottles, this will prevent oxidation caused by the exposure to sunlight. It’s best to avoid clear glass and plastic bottles, many essential oils can degrade plastics over time.
Amber glass is the best because it protects against ultraviolet light. Blue glass is also good.
Make sure that the caps are airtight because exposure to air can cause oxidation just as much as exposure to sunlight.
Avoid storing essential oils on painted or polished surfaces because the oils can damage the finish of the surfaces.
Consider purchasing an Aromatherapy storage box or case. This is where you will be able to store all of your oils in one place, keep them neat, tidy and protected from sunlight. See some examples below.
