How long is the shelf life of essential oil?
In addition, storing essential oils in smaller glass bottles can reduce the amount of oxidation. The above rules do not apply to citrus essential oils and some pine essential oils. These essential oils are rich in terpenes, and the oxidation rate of essential oils containing terpenes is very fast. Their shelf life is about 6- 12 months. Some essential oils with high viscosity, such as Pogostemon cablin, Eupatorium adenophorum (grass) oil, sandalwood oil, etc., are more mellow with the passage of time. It is suggested that these essential oils should be kept for a period of time before use, so as to have enough time to make them more mellow. Many merchants will indicate the shelf life of each essential oil and the instructions for use during the shelf life.
Although it is difficult to be completely accurate, it is also a help for people who just started using essential oils.
Especially before selling goods, it is very helpful to determine the inventory time of merchants. Indicate the specific date of purchase of essential oil. Although consumers usually don't know the first extraction time of essential oil, you can write down the date of your purchase on the label of the essential oil bottle, so that you can clearly know the service life of your essential oil.
Theoretically, all essential oils can be preserved for several years, except bergamot, because the essential oils of citrus will start to deteriorate from June to September, and some essential oils will get better and better with time, such as sandalwood, patchouli and frankincense. However, if it is opened and used frequently, there is a great chance that the essential oil will be oxidized and lose its flavor easily.
The most suitable temperature for storing essential oil is 65 degrees Fahrenheit, about 18 degrees Celsius. If there are many kinds of essential oils, they can also be stored in the refrigerator, but please don't put them in the freezer. Although many essential oils will become turbid at low temperature, they will return to their original clarity after an hour or two. Note that bergamot essential oil is an exception. They can't recover even at room temperature after being turbid at low temperature, but they won't affect the effect of essential oil.
If the essential oil is stored in the refrigerator, take it out and leave it at room temperature for one hour before use. A few refrigerated essential oils need special methods to continue to be used. For example, vetiver, cedar, patchouli and myrrh, the longer these essential oils are stored in the refrigerator, the thicker they will be, so the longer they will recover. Myrrh essential oil will become solid after being stored in the refrigerator for a period of time. In this case, the essential oil bottle can be heated with warm water for 10 minute.
Matters needing attention in the use of essential oil
1. Some essential oils may cause skin to be allergic to the ultraviolet rays of the sun, so avoid direct exposure of the skin to the sun within 4 hours after use. These essential oils include: bergamot, lemon, sweet orange, grapefruit, citrus, bitter orange leaves, lime and so on.
2. Because of the high concentration of essential oil, never take it orally.
3. Avoid using some essential oils during pregnancy, because some of them will lead to menstrual disorder, and some diuretic components may lead to fluid loss in the placenta. These essential oils include basil, sage, juniper, rosemary, marjoram, fennel, clove bud, cypress, chamomile, lemon grass, mint, cedar, eucalyptus and so on. (Be careful not to use essential oil in the sprayer)
4. When you massage with essential oil, be careful not to touch your eyes to avoid sticking to them. If this happens, don't panic. You can soak a cotton swab in milk instead of rubbing it by hand, and then take it out to wipe the affected area. In severe cases, rinse eyes with warm water for about 15 minutes.
5. Air, light and heat will reduce the quality of essential oil. The essential oil should be stored in a ventilated and dark place, and the bottle cap should be tightened after each use. Use stainless steel, glass or ceramic utensils to contain essential oils, not plastic products. Sealed in a dark glass bottle, stored away from light and direct sunlight, so as to prolong its service life and better maintain its efficacy.
6. In a closed space, excessive exposure to essential oil may lead to nausea, dizziness, headache, blood sugar imbalance, pain and excessive excitement. Therefore, if you are exposed to high-concentration essential oil, you should ensure the ventilation of the room.
7. Don't give essential oil to babies, pregnant women, children, the elderly and people with health problems at will.
8. Be especially careful when using essential oil on delicate skin.
9. Insist on using only pure essential oils instead of synthetic essential oil.
10. People with hypertension, epilepsy, neuropathy and nephropathy should avoid using certain essential oils (such as cypress, rosemary, sage, black pepper, pine and fennel). The above personnel need to receive the guidance of a professional aromatherapist before using essential oil.
1 1. Essential oil is not a substitute for drugs and cannot be used to treat various internal and external diseases or disorders. If you need to fight any physical problems, it is recommended to use it under the guidance of a qualified pharmacist. Used to relieve discomfort. If the pain or discomfort is still not relieved after use, you should consult a qualified aromatherapist.
12, strictly keep the amount of essential oil within a safe range. Excessive use may backfire and accumulate toxins in the body, especially sage essential oil, marjoram essential oil and ylang ylang essential oil.
13, the essential oil should be diluted before use, unless otherwise specified.
14, to prevent essential oil from contacting plastic, paint and painted surfaces.
15. Some essential oils should not be used before driving after drinking, such as sage essential oil, marjoram essential oil and ylang ylang essential oil (which will cause slight drunkenness).
16, some essential oils can make skin allergic, especially citrus essential oils. Before large-scale use, a "small-scale skin test" should be carried out on the inside of the arm.
17, asthma patients should be extra careful when using steam method, and it is strictly forbidden to use it during exercise only when there are protective measures.
18, infants cannot use essential oils within two weeks after birth. For babies born from two weeks to four months, you can drop a drop of lavender essential oil in the bath water (or use it with 20 ml of base oil). /kloc-children over 0/2 years old use a quarter of the adult dose. Be very careful when using it on children at any time.
Is it useful to add essential oil to the face steamer?
Because essential oil itself is insoluble in water, some people may wonder whether it is useful for the skin to add essential oil to pure water and then steam your face. In fact, it is useful, because after pure water is heated, the tiny molecules in the essential oil will be ejected together with the evaporated water vapor and then attached to the skin, thus playing the role of essential oil.
Just wipe your face with essential oil once a few days.
The essential oil can be used once every three days or once a week, and it is appropriate to use 15 to 30 minutes each time, because if the essential oil is used too frequently, it will easily clog pores, resulting in some toxins remaining in the body, which is not good for skin health.