Shelf Life

[StrandedSnowMonkey]

I was wondering about the shelf life of my essential oils as I get back into working
with them. I have three wooden boxes for them which i usually keep in a drawer.
The other day i was thinking about how old they are and some must be over five
years. Now I understood that citrus oils don't last that long but too my surprise
the bottles felt cool and they smelt fine. So my question is how long have your
oils lasted for you? My grapefuit, lemon and orange oils must be over three years old.

[inavalan]

I guess you've already googled for "essential oils shelf life":

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C...UDCA0&ua ct=5

I'm aware shelf life is limited, but I refuse to throw any of mine out and continue to use them...

[StrandedSnowMonkey]

Originally Posted by inavalan

I guess you've already googled for "essential oils shelf life":

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C...UDCA0&ua ct=5

Thanks. I usually rely on my books but I don't have them with me. That's why
I thought to ask. From memory I thought it was about four to five years. I have
a little box of six bottles that I take with me and two boxes of twenty four. One
for the older and the other for the newer.

[StrandedSnowMonkey]

Originally Posted by janielee

I'm aware shelf life is limited, but I refuse to throw any of mine out and continue to use them...

I am reluctant too. The citrus oils did surprise me. I guess i will slowly start to
replace them.

[StrandedSnowMonkey]

Well i was wrong. For most oils it's two to three years: link

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by StrandedSnowMonkey

I was wondering about the shelf life of my essential oils as I get back into working
with them. I have three wooden boxes for them which i usually keep in a drawer.
The other day i was thinking about how old they are and some must be over five
years. Now I understood that citrus oils don't last that long but too my surprise
the bottles felt cool and they smelt fine. So my question is how long have your
oils lasted for you? My grapefuit, lemon and orange oils must be over three years old.

It is hard to tell, in my opinion, what is the shelf life of essential oils.

I am no expert even thought I do have on hand a fairly large collection of oils.

Now back to what I was going to say, essential oils generally get 'cut' so many times, it is hard, if not impossible, to tell exactly what a person does have. There is one substance that most people use to 'cut' their oils. A couple of weeks ago, I knew the name of the substance but for some reason, I can not remember what the name is. I have 4 gallons on hand and believe it or not, none of the containers have the name on it. Last week I bought 2 gallons. When I went to buy, I just pointed to the gallon jugs and asked the dealer how much? The price was right......

I have bought oils overseas. I use to go to one place and all they sold was oils. Minimum unit was a liter.

I know I didn't answer your question.
I would say if it still smells good, then use it.

[StrandedSnowMonkey]

Hello

I thought it was just absolutes which could contain some solvent. They do say
that it's hard to detect. Perhaps it's easier for carrier oils? Thanks

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by StrandedSnowMonkey

Hello

I thought it was just absolutes which could contain some solvent. They do say
that it's hard to detect. Perhaps it's easier for carrier oils? Thanks

and then.........

some Essential Oils are not really Essential Oils.

Back when I took Chemistry in College, the Professor made it clear that any 'good' Chemist can create any perfume/Essential Oil.

[StrandedSnowMonkey]

The first brand that I used had a fragrance line as well as essential oils. It was
a smaller range but people must buy them.