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6 tips on how to extend the shelf life of carrier oils

23 Comments

I don’t buy that many carrier oils these days because I noticed they oxidize and turn rancid very quickly. Like I had to throw out half a bottle of sweet almond oil recently, even though I recalled purchasing it not too long ago. But the funny thing is that I noticed that the same oil in which I had mixed with some drops of astaxanthin still smell okay. It then occurred to me that the best way to extend the shelf life of a carrier oil is by adding an antioxidant.

1. Adding an antioxidant
While the astaxanthin I’ve used is helping to preserve the sweet almond oil, but it causes the oil to turn orangey so it’s not the most ideal antioxidant for most people. A better and more common antioxidant to add in a carrier oil is a vitamin E oil.

2. Store in a cool, dark location
Oils should be stored away from direct sunlight as the UV rays can damage the oils. The best place to store the oils are in a cool, dark place.

3. Use amber or dark glass bottle
For the same reason as keeping away from the sun, carrier oils do better when they’re stored in an amber or other dark glass bottles.

4. Use a smaller bottle
Interestingly, I also found out that a smaller bottle can help to extend the shelf life because oxygen that lives in a partially full bottle will react with the oil, causing it to turn rancid quickly.

5. Tighten the bottle cap
For the same reason, bottle caps must be tightened for oxygen is an enemy to oils.

6. Keeping in the fridge
Putting the oils in the fridge can definitely help to extend the shelf life. Personally, I’ve only tried to refrigerate Emu Oil.

If you have any more tips to share, please add in the comment box.

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Filed Under: Beauty Tips

About Sesame

Blogger and founder of Viva Woman, Sesame is a skin care addict who is fond of using natural & organic beauty products. She also blogs at Fresh Flutters.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. xin

    19 Oct 2012 at 9:51 am

    I do pop Vit E to the oils the concoctions I made. I usually only make 50ml at one go to make sure that it won’t turn rancid so soon
    xin last post is: Sun, Sea, Food & Massages: Come Tour Phuket with Me!

    Reply
    • Sesame

      19 Oct 2012 at 1:53 pm

      That’s wise! Making smaller batches really help. Do you keep the balance in the fridge?

      Reply
  2. Lanie

    19 Oct 2012 at 11:59 am

    what a coincidence.. last night I made oregano herb oil infusion in a smaller bottle. 2 months back I made a huge batch of oregano herb oil infusion in a big bottle and not only that it turned rancid quickly also turned moldy (as I used fresh herb instead of dried herb).. and the big bottle was frequently opened.. hope I did it right this time around…

    am also storing it in a dark cooler place…
    Lanie last post is: Review: Fruit Home Delivery by KSY

    Reply
    • Sesame

      19 Oct 2012 at 1:54 pm

      Oh moldy? I guess you’ll need more potent preservatives or like what you did, made a smaller bottle. It’s such a waste when the oils go rancid. 🙁

      Reply
  3. EcoBeauty

    19 Oct 2012 at 12:07 pm

    I stopped buying too many carrier oils because I realized that unless I can be a hardcore DIYer, I’ll never be able to finish all of them before they turn rancid.

    I think adding a few drops of tea tree or any antiseptic EO will protect them from bacterial contamination, aside from the Vit E capsules that prevent early rancidity.
    EcoBeauty last post is: EthicBioskin Organics: Really, Really Premium Handmade Skincare Products from Etsy! (Review + Giveaway)

    Reply
    • Sesame

      19 Oct 2012 at 1:56 pm

      Yup…same here. It’s hard to finish one whole bottle, not to mention a few! But yeah, adding antiseptic EO helps…just that I don’t like tea tree or it’ll be a lot easier cos I have lots of tea tree (okay, irony!) I use the tea tree for other purposes.

      Reply
  4. lydia

    19 Oct 2012 at 9:14 pm

    How you know when the oil is rancid?

    Reply
    • Sesame

      20 Oct 2012 at 10:01 pm

      When it smells different from the usual, usually like how cooking oil smell when it’s old.

      Reply
  5. Swati

    20 Oct 2012 at 12:44 am

    wow but i have never noticed any of my oils turning rancid!!! may be they are not altogether pure!!! which oils do you use??? i mean do you order them from any website???
    Swati last post is: Do you mind disclosing your age? {Your Opinion}

    Reply
    • Sesame

      20 Oct 2012 at 10:02 pm

      I order from a few but sweet almond and grapeseed turns rancid quickly. Even rosehip oil too.

      Reply
  6. LIYA

    20 Oct 2012 at 8:05 am

    Thses are helpful tips. Will you please tell where can get oxident agent?
    LIYA last post is: Home remedies for constipation

    Reply
    • Sesame

      20 Oct 2012 at 10:02 pm

      Try skinactives.com.

      Reply
  7. Sofia

    20 Oct 2012 at 1:38 pm

    I didn’t know that adding antioxidant would help, thanks for the tip! I always instead bought smaller bottles, even though you always get a “better deal” with the bigger ones, they just never last anyway.
    Sofia last post is: 3 Best River Cruises In Europe

    Reply
    • Sesame

      20 Oct 2012 at 10:03 pm

      True…small bottles would be good but even then, some of them oxidize too quickly.

      Reply
  8. Lanie

    23 Oct 2012 at 10:56 am

    I buy sesame seed oil and sunflower oil by the liter though.. as we use sesame seed oil for oil pulling on a daily basis ==> so it does not turn rancid on us.. by end of the month.. its finished…

    sunflower oil==> we use it as conditioner (as we are a no-poo/low-poo family). however for oils we use for massage or any natural therapy (specially herb infusions).. its really a waste to make a big batch..

    one hard lesson: dont infuse fresh herbs in oil.. the water/moisture in the fresh herbs will make the oil moldy (white specks on top)… if you are infusing herbs… use dried herbs instead.
    Lanie last post is: Pinoy Datorade (Malunggay, Camote Tops Banana & Dates Smoothie)

    Reply
    • Sesame

      23 Oct 2012 at 9:57 pm

      I tried infusing dried lavender in oil before but while the oil looked okay, I couldn’t detect the scent.

      Reply
      • Alan

        23 Mar 2017 at 9:04 am

        How did you infuse the oil with lavender. I hear in the oven for 4 hours on lowest setting 190 is best. Sometimes it is advised to do it twice with more fresh or dried flowers.
        Alan last post is: Ode to Madonna: Love in a Time Capsule

        Reply
  9. nami

    27 Oct 2012 at 8:57 pm

    nice tip…..where do you get these oils from?

    Reply
  10. Mary

    4 Nov 2012 at 2:10 pm

    Great idea to add antioxidants! I try not to have to many oils on hand at once so I use up whatever I have before it goes bad. I also sometimes will store them in the fridge as suggested.
    Mary last post is: New product! Honeybee Gardens Lipstick in Aztec

    Reply
    • Sesame

      4 Nov 2012 at 8:41 pm

      Yes true…better to not have too many.

      Reply
  11. Clara

    15 Jul 2014 at 3:00 am

    I hadn’t though of adding an antioxidant but it makes sense. Neat idea!

    Reply
    • Sesame Chew

      16 Jul 2014 at 11:12 pm

      Glad you find that tip helpful.

      Reply
  12. Judy

    16 Jan 2016 at 8:23 am

    Great tip but how much Vit E do you put in per ounce?

    Reply

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