How do you know when one of your OilGrow essential oils have reached the end of its shelf life? It actually all depends on certain chemical compositions within the oils. We tried to explain shelf life so it is easily referred back to.

It is best to keep your essential oil in a cool dark place, in a glass bottle and tightly sealed. This will prevent the oil from oxidizing, possibly discolouring and losing its wonderful fragrance. The following is a general guide for you to know how long you should keep your essential oils before they aren’t their best anymore.  The shelf life of OilGrow oils are not different from other essential oils, so you can use this guide as a general guide for all your oils.

9–12 months

The shelf life of citrus oils such as bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, lime and sweet orange oils have the shortest shelf life. These oils are rich in highly volatile monoterpenes and are prone to oxidization. It may be preferrable to store these oils in the fridge if not used often. 

12–24 months

Pine, Cypress and Frankincense essential oils also contain monoterpenes, but can last a bit longer than the citrus oils. 

2–3 years

These include Black Pepper, Lemongrass, Spearmint, Rosemary, Nutmeg, Neroli and Tea tree, which are rich in volatile oxides. The shelf life of these are still short but because they are used relatively often it is quite possible to use them upbefore their expiry date.

3–4 years

Eucalyptus, Basil, Chamomile, Cinnamon bark, Clary sage, Coriander, Sweet fennel, Ginger, Myrrh, Thyme, Aniseed, Lavender and African Immortelle all contain volatile ketones, monoterpenols and esters.

4–5 years

Cedarwood, Clove bud, Oreganum, Rose Geranium, Peppermint, Wintergreen and Ylang Ylang contain mostly volatile phenols and aldehydes; making them last longer than those mentioned before.

Up to 8 years

Vetiver and Patchouli have the heavier sesquiterpenols as their main constituents so that they are able to last very long if preserved well. An 8 year long shelf life is quite long and great at that. These oils are not used that frequently although quite often in blends.

When in doubt…

If you are in any doubt about how fresh an essential oil is, avoid using it therapeutically or on the skin (some oils that are non-irritant when fresh may irritate the skin when oxidized). Instead, use the oil around the house, in a diffuser perhaps, or added to a household cleanser.

Whereas essential oils are distilled volatile oils, the carrier oils are cold-pressed mostly from the kernels or seeds of fruit, are not volatile and have a considerably shorter shelf life than the essential oils. The carrier oils become rancid when they oxidize, and you can tell that something is wrong by the smell. At this point the oil is unsuitable for use on the skin. As with essential oils, you should store carrier oils in dark glass bottles, away from light and heat. 

6-12 months: Grapeseed, Kalahari Melon Seed, Rosehip, Sweet Almond

12- 18 months: Avocado

2 years: Argan

5 years: Fractionated Coconut Oil