Out of Date Oils

[Elite]

Hello

I have had to buy some new oils as the ones I had are end dated for August of this year, while none of them smell rancid or anything I still wouldn't use them on anyone (I must add that the oils I use mostly at work are newly bought). My question is, am I able to use them in my aroma nebuliser for my own use, would I still benefit with them being out of date by 3 months or should I dispose of them ?

Jo x

 

[Hajar Superstar]

I would definitely use them in an oil burner (and do) - they will still have some therapeutic properties left in them - they're not that past their use by date. And even if they don't have any therapeutic properties they will still smell nice!

 

[mr danger]

Thanks Fiona, there are quite a few oils and hardly been used really since qualifying a couple of years ago





Thanks Lavandula

This is what I thought, thanks for the clarification. You know what it's like tutors telling you to bin them as soon as the date has passed.

Jo x

 

[ARGUING WITH IDIOTS]

Hi Fiona

I believe some oils improve with age, like a good wine - take for instance Patchouli, Sandalwood, Frankincense. The only problem is oxidisation - if the oils have not been opened and therefore oxygen does not interact with the oil then the best before date can be extended. I always use my nose and eyes in these cases look at the oil, if it is not cloudy and still smells good I would carry on using it.

As Lavendula says use them in a burner, or even the bath.

Binah
x

 

[joe joe]

It's a bit like use-by dates on food. Sometimes you can use your common sense and see they are fine to eat. Essential oils don't suddenly turn into something horrible the day after their use-by date expires.

I've got a box full of discarded but not empty bottles that I used in a burner. I'm sure you can easily tell if they smell "off" when you burn them - though I can't say I've noticed that yet.

 

[Pecos]

Hi, just had this conversation last week with another aromatherapist. She was speaking to a very reputable supplier and he said that the oils do not go off for ages and are still usable (obvious ones that do are the citrus ones). The supplier said that what usually smells gone off is in the lid of the bottle so before discarding any oil you should take out the dropper and check the oil itself in the bottle. He also said that the oils should last at least 5 years when stored in the correct conditions (wooden box away from light and heat). Which is a great relief to me because the teacher I had insisted that we bought all 42 itec oils at the beginning of the course which was a huge outlay for me. Some of the oils are 2 years old now and smell absolutely fine.

C

 

[Gliders R Awesome!]

That's really interesting about the lid Aroma Amethyst, thank you. Mine are in a black plastic carry box (Eve Taylor kit from college). But just to be on the safe side I bought new for work and will use the "old" ones at home

 

[Pompal 09.]

Hi All,

I've got a vetiver and valerian that are both over 5yrs old and have improved with age. The general rule of thumb is that the base notes last for years, then the middle notes last less followed by the top notes.

The citrus oils are all top notes and will oxidise the fastest lasting some times less than a year.

If you think about the Egyptian mummies and the embalming process - they used lots and lots of myrrh and frankincense!! Which is still good today.

I rely on my nose to let me know how my oils are doing. I keep then in a black zip carry case, away from light and heat.

An off oil has a particular smell which once smelt will never be forgotten.

Cheers, Sue