Did you know that the essential oil industry is worth over 18.6 billion dollars? With so much spent on essential oils and their production, it’s important that consumers know all there is to know before using these therapeutic oils.
Buying essential oils can be an investment in your mental and physical health. But do essential oils expire? Find out all you need to know here.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are aromatic oils extracted from various plants. The use of these oils dates back to around 4500 BC. These oils have been used for medicinal, cosmetic, and aromatic purposes for thousands of years, and can provide great benefits to your overall wellbeing.
Essential Oil Uses
Essential oils can be used for their aroma, absorbed through the skin during massage, or both. These oils stimulate nerves that trigger reactions in your brain that produce favorable effects for both your physical and mental health.
These aromas can positively impact your mental health and can lessen anxiety and improve mood. Using essential oils can also help with sleep, pain, and inflammation.
These oils have antimicrobial effects and have been historically used to help with bacterial and fungal growths and infections. These versatile oils can be a great addition to any household and can help with a variety of mental and physical health issues.
Types of Essential Oils
There are many different types of essential oils, all with their own functions and purposes. The different scents and plants that each oil is derived from determine the benefits they provide.
For example, lavender, chamomile, and sandalwood oils possess calming effects and can help with sleep. Lemongrass, peppermint, and orange oils have antimicrobial benefits. Other oils, such as eucalyptus and rose oils, even have anti-inflammatory benefits.
Do Essential Oils Expire?
Like any other medicinal or topical treatment, essential oils can expire. But how does this expiration process work?
When air and light come into contact with your essential oils for the first time, a process called oxidation begins. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean that the properties of your oils begin to change. Because of these changes, it is best to stop using opened essential oils after a certain period of time.
The essential oil lifespan ranges from one to nearly eight years depending on the oil in question. Be sure to do your research to determine the shelf-life of your essential oils before continuing to use them.
The Importance of Quality
Essential oil lifespan is something to consider when purchasing essential oils, but so is quality. You want to make sure that you select high-quality essential oils with no added ingredients.
Many essential oils on the market today contain preservatives or additives that negatively impact the purity and efficacy of the oil. In the same way that oxidation affects essential oils and causes them to expire, added ingredients can also change the molecular makeup of these oils.
Make sure you are purchasing 100% essential oils to avoid any unwanted effects. If you want to take a look at some 100% essential oils, go here.
Using Your Essential Oils
Do essential oils expire? Yes, but each oil has its own unique lifespan. Thus, it is important to do your research before purchasing essential oils.
With so many different types and uses, the possibilities for your essential oils are endless. Make sure you know what oils you’re buying, their lifespan, and that they’re pure essential oils before purchasing them for yourself.
Did you find this article useful? If so, check out some of our other articles on health and fitness.
