Do you have lavender, peppermint, or other essential oils and have found yourself asking the question: do essential oils expire?
The answer to this question is yes. While certain essential oils can last for several years, they all eventually lose their potency and expire.
Read on to learn why essential oils expire, how long specific oils last, and what you can do to extend the shelf life of your oils.
Why do essential oils expire?
Unfortunately, essential oils don’t last forever. This is mainly due to a process known as oxidation.1 In simple terms, oxidation occurs when the composition of a substance changes due to exposure to oxygen.
The oxidation process increases after an essential oil bottle is opened. However, even sealed bottles will eventually degrade due to oxidation and other environmental factors.
In addition to oxidative damage, essential oils are also prone to chemical transformation and polymerization reactions. Temperature, light, oil composition, and the presence of impurities all influence how long it takes for these changes to occur.2
How long do essential oils last?
Oxidation and the environment where essential oils are stored impact how long it takes for them to break down. But the specific properties of an essential oil also play a large role in how long they will last. Essential oils that contain phenols such as thymol or eugenol, for example, last longer due to their natural ability to delay oxidative reactions.2
Citrus oils, on the other hand, contain volatile compounds called monoterpenes that cause them to oxidize more quickly than other oils.
Below is a list of how long you can expect specific essential oils to last if they’re stored properly.
Up to 2 years
- Citronella
- Grapefruit
- Lemon
- Lemongrass
- Lime
- Orange
- Tangerine
Up to 3 years
- Bergamot
- Black Pepper
- Catnip
- Chamomile
- Copaiba
- Cypress
- Dill weed
- Fir needle
- Frankincense
- Ginger
- Helichrysum
- Juniper Berry
- Lemongrass
- Manuka
- Melissa
- Neroli
- Nutmeg
- Pine
- Rosemary
- Spearmint
- Tea Tree
Up to 4 years
- Basil
- Cardamom
- Cinnamon Bark
- Clary Sage
- Coriander
- Eucalyptus
- Jasmine
- Lavender
- Myrrh
- Thyme
Up to 5 years
- Allspice
- Blue Tansy
- Cedarwood
- Clove
- Geranium
- Peppermint
- Rose
- Sage
- Turmeric
- Vanilla
- Wintergreen
- Ylang Ylang
5-8 years
- Patchouli
- Rosewood
- Sandalwood
- Vetiver
Keep in mind that these are general guidelines. An essential oil may last longer or shorter depending on a variety of factors.
How long do carrier oils last?
Another common question related to essential oil expiration is how long carrier oils last. The answer is that fractionated coconut oil and jojoba oils can easily last more than 5 years. Fractionated coconut oil can actually last indefinitely according to some manufacturers. Other oils such as rosehip, grapeseed, borage, and evening primrose typically only last for 6 to 12 months.3
How to tell if your essential oil is expired
Many essential oil manufacturers put an expiration date on their products. You can typically find this on the bottom of the oil bottle. Because the company has likely tested how long each of their oils will last, the manufacturer’s expiration date is the date you should go by.
As mentioned, however, an oil may last longer or shorter than the expected expiration date depending on environmental factors (light/heat exposure, oxidation, etc.).
Fortunately, you can easily tell if an essential oil has gone bad if you notice any of these changes:
- The color of the oil has changed (become cloudy)
- The smell of the oil has changed
- The consistency of the oil has changed (become thicker)
Is using expired essential oils dangerous?
The main danger of using essential oils that have gone bad is that they may cause an allergic reaction when applied to the skin. Research has found this to be the case with some essential oils that have become oxidized, with the effects being similar to allergic contact dermatitis.2
Because of the potential negative effects, you should never apply an essential oil that has expired to your skin. Similarly, inhaling expired essential oils may cause an adverse reaction as well. Plus, expired oils will not be as effective and may not blend well with other oils.
Extending the shelf life of essential oils
Essential oils aren’t cheap, so you’ll want to do everything you can to extend their shelf life. When stored in optimal conditions, your oils can maintain much of their original potency and may last past their expected expiration date.
To extend the viable shelf life of your oils, follow these tips.
Decant oils into smaller containers
By using smaller bottles, you avoid exposing the entire supply with each use. You should also use the smallest bottle possible that will fit your essential oil, as excess air at the top can cause the oil to oxidize more quickly.
Seal your oils tightly
Oils that are not sealed tightly will also be more exposed to the outside air, so make sure to twist the cap back on all the way after each use.
Store them away from heat and light
Similar to oxidation, light and heat can cause your essential oils to degrade more quickly. Essential oil expert Robert Tisserand recommends storing oils in a refrigerator to extend their shelf life even further.4 If you do this, you may also want to cover the oils or put them in a box so they aren’t exposed to the light in the fridge.
How to dispose of expired essential oils
It may be tempting to toss your expired essential oils into the garbage. However, as most essential oils are flammable, it’s not recommended to just throw them in the bin. But you shouldn’t pour them down the drain either and then toss the bottles, as essential oils can actually cause damage to your pipes and the environment.
To be 100% safe, you can neutralize essential oils by pouring them onto some baking soda or cat litter. After the oil is evaporated, you can then safely dispose of the baking soda/litter.
If you want to reuse your essential oil bottles, you can easily clean them by soaking them in soapy water for 15-20 minutes and then cleaning them with a brush. If the bottles still have a smell, you can soak them in vinegar for 15-20 minutes and then wash them again.
Always follow safe use guidelines
Because essential oils are so potent, it’s important to always follow safe use guidelines. Luckily, we’ve created this Guide for Using Essential Oils Safely that covers everything from topical and aromatic use to avoiding any potential side effects.
About Seth Morris
Seth Morris is an experienced article writer with a background in marketing, Web content creation, and health research. In addition to writing and editing content for the ZYTO website and blog, he has written hundreds of articles for various websites on topics such as holistic wellness, health technology, and Internet marketing. Seth has earned Bachelor’s Degrees in Business Management as well as Literary Studies.
Sources:
1. Totani, N., M. Burenjargal, et al. “Chemical Properties and Cytotoxicity of Thermally Oxidized Oil.” Journal of Oleo Science 57, no. 3 (2008): 153-160.
2. Turek, C., & F.C. Stintzing. “Stability of Essential Oils: A Review.” Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety 12, no. 1 (2013).
3. Penman, Tash. “The Shelf Life of Carrier Oils.” Wellness Pro. Theresaneoforthat.com.
4. Tisserand, Robert & Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety (Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier Ltd., 2014).