Essential Oil Storage and Shelf Life

Essential oils will not begin to smell "rancid" like vegetable (carrier) oils will, but many essential oils will lose their therapeutic properties as time passes or if they are not stored properly. Their aroma can also change in these circumstances. The shelf life of essential oils varies from one oil to the next, but most have a shelf life of a year or more. The citrus oils have the shortest shelf life of all essential oils. They should be used within one year. The longest-lasting oils, which improve as they age, tend to be the thick resins such as frankincense and myrrh, woods such as sandlewood, roots like vetiver, as well as other oils, including spikenard and patchouli.

Essential oils need to be stored away from heat and light to preserve their freshness and potency. Although opinions vary, it is considered best to keep your oils stored in dark glass colored bottles such as amber or cobalt. Avoid keeping your essential oils in plastic bottles and avoid using bottles that have a build in dropper with a rubber tip. Essential oils are very concentrated and will "eat" into the plastic or rubber and your oils will be ruined.

Please also remember that essential oils are flammable and should be kept away from hazardous situations.