A Guide to Storing and Diluting Essential Oils
Once you experience the extensive therapeutic and wellness benefits of essential oils, there is no looking back. They can replace almost everything you use (possibly made with chemicals) in your routines. From beauty products to kitchen cleaners, air fresheners to perfumes, essential oils have the ability to take the center of modern-day lifestyle.
It is understandable to dedicate a separate shelf in your kitchen cabinet to stock up these goodness-filled bottles—unless you know how to store, preserve, and dilute them the right way.
Allow us to help you through this process.
How to Store Essential Oils?
On average, an essential oil bottle should last you up to 4-5 years. However, the quality, shelf life, natural properties, and effectiveness depend on how well you store them. The standard procedure to store essential oils to maximize their safe use and benefits is as follows:
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Place Essential Oils Away from Direct Exposure of Light, Heat, and Moisture
Heat, light, and moisture are the main factors that speed up an essential oil’s deterioration process.
Essential oils have a flammable nature. When kept near sources of high heat such as candles, stoves, sunlight, or fire, essential oils can reach their lowest temperature at which they will ignite.
Light harms an essential oil’s efficacy, chemical properties, and overall structure and appearance. That’s why essential oils are primarily sold in dark-colored bottles to prevent UV rays from entering them.
Moisture can create water beads on essential oils when left uncapped. Over time this will decrease the oil’s strength and stability.
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Do Not Store Essential Oils in Plastic Bottles
Due to their highly concentrated constitution, essential oils will dissolve plastic if kept in a plastic bottle. Therefore, you must always store essential oils in glass bottles. The same goes for homemade essential oil blends.
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Keep Essential Oil Bottles Tightly Secured
Essential oils are volatile and evaporative compounds that quickly diminish in the air. Loose lids allow their benefits and aroma to fade their strength and intensity. Make sure to cap the bottles immediately after using essential oils.
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Don't Leave the Essential Oils Bottles Half Empty
Aim to keep the essential oils bottles as full as possible. The unfilled space in the bottle leaves room for oxygen to enter, resulting in an accelerated oxidation process. If possible, transfer the oils to smaller containers so that they can remain mostly full.
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Avoid Inserting Any Object Into the Bottles
Refrain from inserting any object into an essential oil bottle to dilute them or create a blend. Instead, pour the ingredients into a separate container, mix essential oils, and then use them as preferred.
PS: The regular users of essential oils favor keeping essential oils in a freezer to prevent direct exposure to light, heat, and oxygen. Freezers are a safe place to keep them, and they do help preserve the quality and prolong its life. However, make sure to remove them from the fridge and convert them back to room temperature before topical application to gain their optimum benefits.
How to Dilute Essential Oils?
Understanding the right procedure of essential oil dilution is important for gaining desired results and exclusive benefits. Especially for topical use, the concentrated chemical makeup of essential oils can cause sensitivity and irritations if used out of proportion. Therefore, essential oils are mostly diluted with carrier oils for massage, skincare, and haircare.
You may also blend EO’s with lotions, moisturizers, serums, or other personal care products or add them to DIY recipes as recommended. The standard rule of thumb to dilute essential oils for various topical applications is as follows:
- Start slow with essential oil usage. 1% dilution rate (1 drop of essential oil in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil) for a long-term application is better.
- 2% dilution rate (2 drops of essential oil in 2 teaspoons of carrier oil) for skincare and haircare procedures.
- 3% dilution rate (3 drops of essential oil in 3 teaspoons of carrier oil) for short-term use.
- 4% dilution rate (4 drops of essential oil in 4 teaspoons of carrier oil) for body massage.
- 5% dilution rate (5 drops of essential oil in 5 teaspoons of carrier oil) for specific concerns or as recommended in the recipes.
