Aromatherapy - Introduction - Storing Essential Oils

Storing Essential Oils

Essential oils will keep longer if they are stored in a cool, dark place. As mentioned previously, avoid ultraviolet rays to prevent deterioration. Store them in dark (preferably brown) glass bottles in a cupboard. It is not necessary to store your essential oils in the refrigerator and is actually best to store them at room temperature. Wherever you store your oils, be sure to keep them well out of reach of children and pets as they can be very harmful or toxic if swallowed. Essential oils should never be stored in plastic as they could potentially cause a chemical reaction.

If stored properly, most essential oils will last up to three years, with the exception of citrus oils, which deteriorate rapidly. Some essential oils improve with age, such as Patchouli.