As with most things, there are differing opinions on the topic of essential oil storage. We will outline the two main ones below, so you can reach your own decision. In our opinion though if at all possible it is most beneficial to keep your essential oils cool. Especially when living in warmer climates.

Keeping them cool

It is recommended by some of the leaders in the aromatherapy field such as Robert Tisserand to keep your essential oils refrigerated. The idea behind this is that it slows down the oxidation processes. Oxidation is a natural process that occurs when some chemical constituents within the essential oil come into contact and react with oxygen. This changes the essential oil to some degree and can lead to a change in odour as well as the actions of the oil. It could also increase the likelihood of skin reactions in some people. It’s not possible to stop the oxidation process altogether when using essential oils, however, there are ways to reduce and slow it.

This is especially true for citrus essential oils which are rich in limonene and some other essential oils more prone to oxidation. These components oxidise much faster than other components and are in high quantities in citrus essential oils. By storing in a refrigerator could slow the process as heat speeds up oxidation. You can therefore expect your essential oils to last much longer. 

Remember, if you do choose this storage option, that essential oils are highly volatile substances and their aromas can leach into food stored in the same fridge. You can either store them first in an airtight container within the fridge to prevent this from occurring. Other people may use a separate mini-fridge, especially if they have a larger collection of essential oils.

With this method of storage, the guidance is that citrus essential oils and other essential oils more prone to oxidation may last for 1 year as opposed to 6 months when non-refrigerated. All other essential oils should last 1 year non-refrigerated and two years refrigerated. It is helpful to note on a small sticker on your bottle the date when you opened the essential oil as this is when the oxidation processes begin. 

Keeping them at a stable temperature

It’s worth noting that other experts in the field believe that keeping essential oils at a stable temperature is more important than refrigerating them. They believe that temperature fluctuations when removing the oils from the refrigerator when in use, could have a detrimental effect on them, also causing oxidation. However, there have been studies to show that keeping them cool most of the time has better results.

Keeping your essential oils away from heat sources such as radiators is very important as well as not storing them in rooms that fluctuate greatly in temperature. 

Storage Box

It is recommended to keep your essential oils safe in a box. There are specific boxes on the market for essential oil storage. This keeps them in their own little section and avoids any breakages and reduces any spills. It also keeps their strong aromas contained within the box when not in use. It protects them from light and is perfect for keeping them well organised.

A greater idea is to label each essential oil with a small circular sticky label with its name, this way you can easily spot which oil you are looking for. Keeping them in alphabetical order is another great way to organise a flourishing collection. They are ready to use whenever needed when stored in this way. It also keeps them out of easy reach of children and animals. A very important safety measure to take. Store the box somewhere out of their reach. 

Air & Light

Air and light are the enemies of your essential oils. They will both cause rapid deterioration and eat away at their shelf life as explained above. The light situation can easily be dealt with. At Oleum Botanica all of our essential oils come in a dark glass bottle as the first step in preventing light damage. Storing them in a box and not leaving them out after use is a great precautionary second step. 

Exposure to air, known as oxidation can be avoided to some extent by replacing lids tightly in between uses. Not leaving the essential oil for long without their lids. You may also quickly decant to smaller sterilised bottles as the essential oil gets used up, but this all depends on how quickly you tend to get through your oils. 

Again as described above it is thought that refrigerating essential oils can slow this process down, so that any air present in the bottle won’t do as much damage.

Lids

It may seem obvious, but an easy mistake to make is replacing the wrong lid onto your bottle. Speaking from experience this can alter the aroma. Therefore by adding a little label to the top of the bottle it is much easier to ensure you find the correct lid and prevent any cross-contamination.

Keep away from the nose!

It’s easily done, it happens to everyone, but if you are smelling from the bottle, be careful not to touch your nose with the dropper of the bottle. This is for two reasons, firstly safety, no one wants to end up with a sore nose from undiluted essential oils coming into contact with the skin. Secondly, bacteria from the nose can cause deterioration in the essential oil (even though the oils often have antibacterial properties themselves) It’s best to be on the safe side. Especially true if you are sharing the essential oil with others. 

By incorporating the above practices, we hope that you will enjoy your beloved essential oils for longer and benefit from their wonderful aromas and actions. 

Want to find out more about our essential oils. Get in touch by messaging us via live chat, on our social media or you can contact us here.