If you're buying good quality essential oils you are probably buying
them for their therapeutic qualities. To get good value from your
oils it is important to look after them, as otherwise the quality
will deteriorate much more rapidly.
The quality of essential oils changes with use and over time, part
of this is because every time the oils are exposed to the air the
chemicals all interact with one another. Every time you use
essential oils you should put the lid back on as soon as you can, as
this helps to reduce oxidisation. Citrus oils tend to react to air
the most and its important to observe the use by date. Robert
Tissserand in 'Essential Oil Safety' recommends throwing out bottles
which oxidise quickly when they are 90% empty or after 6 months of
opening.
Another way to keep your essential oils for longer is by keeping
them cool - keeping them in a fridge is fine. Once cold some
essential oils can be difficult to get out of a bottle, however if
you hold the bottle in your hand for a few minutes the essential oil
will warm up and you will then find it easier to use. Make sure you
keep your essential oils away from sunlight or any heat sources as
essential oils are flammable and heat can change the chemical
properties of the oils.
Observe the use by date on essential oils, or alternatively use
within 12 months of first opening. Some oils will last longer than
12 months if stored in the right conditions.
While not part of maintaining the quality of essential oils, it is
important to keep essential oils out of the reach of pets and
children and never remove the dropper from the bottle. Some pets,
such as cats, cannot metabolise essential oils. There are reported
cases of poisoning in young children due to them getting hold of
essential oils and being naturally curious without understanding
possible dangers. While accidents may happen, keeping oils out of
their reach and having a dropper in the bottle means a child has
less chance of consuming a fatal amount of oil.
If you follow the above points you should find your expensive
essential oil remains at optimum quality for longer, ensuring you
get the results you're expecting from your oil.
