Have you had essential oils lying around in your home for a while? Are you worried that they may have expired and have to go in the bin? Many people worry about whether essential oils have expiry dates and if they become dangerous if they have been open for a long time.
Well, these are good questions to be asking. After all, you want to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy and not have negative consequences for your family. To save you some time, we have created a guide on essential oils and expiration. So, let’s get started so you can know what happens.
Do Essential Oils Have an Expiry Date?
Most of the time, you will not find an expiry date on the bottle of essential oils. Simply, they should be in a brown glass bottle and include natural ingredients. Check out Smellacloud for some quality essential oils that are 100 per cent natural and fair trade. Indeed, since they are made from natural materials, this means that they will not last forever and be as potent as they once were. So, it is recommended you use essential oils regularly to get the most out of them.
Thus, understand that there are no expiry dates on most essential oils. But, over time, they will decrease in potency and effectiveness. This is like any other product. So, you want to make sure that you are using them consistently and not leaving them open for long periods of time. There are some essential oils that will last for around one to three years if you take care of them.
If you see products that say they never expire, this is something to be wary of. In particular, if this is stated on essential oils, it is likely that they are not made from natural materials or contain some type of chemicals for preservation. This is probably an essential oil you want to stay away from so that you can enjoy the natural benefits of aromatherapy.
What Can Shorten the Life of Essential Oils?
Note that there are bad habits when it comes to essential oils and there could be things you are doing that are shortening the life of the products. For example, one thing you do not want to do is leave the oils in direct sunlight. This can heat up the oils and this can have a negative effect and lead to oxidisation. In addition, leaving the lid off will also have the same effect.
The best thing you can do is store essential oils in a cool and dark place. This can include a draw. You will also want to place the lid on straight after you have used the oil. Again, this will prevent oxygen and the air from getting into the essential oils and which leads to its deterioration. You are going to lengthen the life of the products and make sure you can use them. These are simple things you can do to make sure that you are not wasting your money and having to throw the oils away.
How to Know Essential Oil is Expired
While there are no exact expiry dates on essential oil products, there are going to be a few ways to spot a product that is off. Here is what you should look out for.
The Scent Has Changed
Perhaps you have a favourite essential oil that you love to use. But you suddenly open the bottle to discover it has a different scent. Unfortunately, we have some bad news. This oil is probably past its best. When this happens, it is recommended that you throw it away. You are unlikely to enjoy the benefits, and the scent will not be as nice as it was.
The Oil is Cloudy
Have you discovered that the oil has darkened and become cloudy? Again, this is a sign that the product has been open for a while and is no longer the best to diffuse in your home. The cloudiness might be difficult to spot at first if it is in a brown glass bottle. But you should notice it when you put it in the diffuser.
The Consistency has Thickened
It is not just the scent and the look of an essential oil that can change. You may also notice that the consistency is not the same as it once was. In particular, it can thicken up and this is not how it should appear. Instead, it should have a smooth consistency.