Enemies of Essential Oils
According to experts, “Contaminants or adulteration may increase toxicity,” and “degradation can lead to increased hazards.”
Degradation comes about from three main ways: oxygen, heat, and light.
Oxygen
Oxidation occurs when oxygen gets into your essential oil bottle, and has a reaction with some of the constituents. Oxidation can alter the therapeutic properties of the essential oil, and can even make it dangerous to use. One of the most common dangers is an increased risk of skin sensitization.
Heat
Heat causes the more volatile constituents to evaporate more quickly. CO2 extracts are more prone to damage from heat than steam-distilled essential oils.
Light
UV light promotes free radicals. Amber colored bottles are best at keeping UV light out. Cobalt (blue being the opposite color of brown) bottles do not do a very good job of keeping UV light out, but they allow the light to pass through the glass more readily, and therefore into the product.
How to tell if your essential oils are oxidizedIf you are unsure when it was distilled or bottled, you can keep track of when you purchase it. Keep in mind there could be several months or longer between when the essential oil was distilled or bottled, and when you make your purchase. Here are two ways to tell if your essential oil has been oxidized: aroma, and adverse reactions.
The aroma
If you make yourself familiar with the aroma of the essential oil when it is fresh, you will begin to notice it smells “off” once it has oxidized. A change in smell can alert you that it may not be safe for topical applications.
Adverse reactions
Once oxidized, the potential for the essential oil to cause skin irritation: redness, itching, etc., increases even when diluted. If this starts happening to you, stop using the essential oil topically. Continuing to use the oxidized essential oil in this way will greatly increase your risk for sensitization.
Oxidized essential oils are not recommended for use on the skin, but they can be used for cleaning. It is not recommended they be diffused, either due to potential mucous membrane irritation.
If you want your essential oils to last longer, keep them closed tightly when not in use, keep them away from light, and store them in a cool place. The best place for essential oils is in the refrigerator.
Essential oils to avoid if oxidized
These are also the essential oils to prioritize for refrigerator space, if you have limited room.
Degradation comes about from three main ways: oxygen, heat, and light.
Oxygen
Oxidation occurs when oxygen gets into your essential oil bottle, and has a reaction with some of the constituents. Oxidation can alter the therapeutic properties of the essential oil, and can even make it dangerous to use. One of the most common dangers is an increased risk of skin sensitization.
Heat
Heat causes the more volatile constituents to evaporate more quickly. CO2 extracts are more prone to damage from heat than steam-distilled essential oils.
Light
UV light promotes free radicals. Amber colored bottles are best at keeping UV light out. Cobalt (blue being the opposite color of brown) bottles do not do a very good job of keeping UV light out, but they allow the light to pass through the glass more readily, and therefore into the product.
How to tell if your essential oils are oxidizedIf you are unsure when it was distilled or bottled, you can keep track of when you purchase it. Keep in mind there could be several months or longer between when the essential oil was distilled or bottled, and when you make your purchase. Here are two ways to tell if your essential oil has been oxidized: aroma, and adverse reactions.
The aroma
If you make yourself familiar with the aroma of the essential oil when it is fresh, you will begin to notice it smells “off” once it has oxidized. A change in smell can alert you that it may not be safe for topical applications.
Adverse reactions
Once oxidized, the potential for the essential oil to cause skin irritation: redness, itching, etc., increases even when diluted. If this starts happening to you, stop using the essential oil topically. Continuing to use the oxidized essential oil in this way will greatly increase your risk for sensitization.
Oxidized essential oils are not recommended for use on the skin, but they can be used for cleaning. It is not recommended they be diffused, either due to potential mucous membrane irritation.
If you want your essential oils to last longer, keep them closed tightly when not in use, keep them away from light, and store them in a cool place. The best place for essential oils is in the refrigerator.
Essential oils to avoid if oxidized
These are also the essential oils to prioritize for refrigerator space, if you have limited room.
- Angelica Seed Angelica archangelica
- Anise (Star) Illicium verum
- Bergamot Citrus bergamia, Citrus aurantium
- Camphor (Borneo) Dryobalanops aromatica, Dryobalanops camphora
- Caraway Carum carvi
- Celery leaf, Celery seed Apium graveolens
- Clementine Citrus clementina
- Cypress Cupressus sempervirens
- Dill seed (European) Anethum graveolens
- Elemi Canarium luzonicum, Canarium vulgare
- Fennel (bitter, sweet) Foeniculum vulgare
- Fir (Douglas) Pseudotsuga menziesii
- Fir Needle (Canadian) Abies balsamea
- Fir Needle (Himalayan) Abies spectabilis, Abies webbiana
- Fir Needle (Japanese) Abies sachalinensis
- Fir Needle (Siberian) Abies sibirica
- Fir Needle (Silver) Abies alba
- Fragonia Agonis fragrans
- Frankincense Boswellia frereana, Boswellia papyrifera, Boswellia sacra (Boswellia carteri), Boswellia serrata, Boswellia neglecta, Boswellia rivae
- Gingergrass Cymbopogon martinii var. sofia, Andropogon martinii var. sofia
- Grapefruit Citrus x paradisi
- Juniper Berry Juniperus communis
- Lemon Citrus x limon, Citrus limonum
- Lemon Balm Eucalyptus staigeriana
- Lime Citrus x aurantifolia, Citrus x latifolia
- Mandarin Citrus reticulata, Citrus nobilis
- Orange (bitter) Citrus x aurantium
- Orange (sweet) Citrus sinensis, Citrus aurantium var. sinensis
- Palo Santo Bursera graveolens
- Pepper (black, white) Piper nigrum
- Pine (black) Pinus nigra
- Pine (dwarf) Pinus mugo
- Pine (grey) Pinus divaricata, Pinus banksiana
- Pine (red) Pinus resinosa
- Pine (Scots) Pinus sylvestris
- Pine (white) Pinus strobus
- Sage (blue mountain) Salvia stenophylla
- Spruce (black) Picea mariana, Picea nigra
- Spruce (hemlock) Tsuga canadensis, Pinus canadensis, Picea canadensis
- Spruce (Norway) Picea abies, Picea excelsa
- Spruce (red) Picea rubens
- Spruce (white) Picea glauca, Picea alba, Picea canadensis
- Tangerine Citrus reticulata, Citrus nobilis, Citrus tangerine
- Tea Tree Melaleuca alternifolia
- Thyme (limonene chemotype) Thymus vulgaris, Thymus serphyllum
- Verbena (white) Lippia alba, Lippia gerinata