Essential oils are an investment in your health and well-being. Learning the dos and don’ts of storing them is just one important way to protect your wellness investment and maximize their benefits.
Whether you’ve just jumped into essential oils or have a longtime collection you’ve been meaning to organize, these tips for properly storing your favorite products will keep your house happy and your health prioritized!
A tight lid prevents oxidation, air, or water from getting inside the bottle.
YL tip: The plastic fitment on the bottle allows the oil to escape one drop at a time and also helps keep air and water out. Be sure to leave it on the bottle!
Photo by Ashley Griffin
YL tip: Keep essential oils in a closet or drawer and avoid leaving them in your car. A good rule of thumb is to keep oils in a cool, dark place.
If you’re anything like us, you keep your favorite oils on hand wherever you go—your gym bag, your desk, and your purse. You can preserve your oils and store them safely while on the go by using a carrying case made especially for essential oils. Take the 30 essential oils carrying case with you wherever you go!
You love your oils and you’re not afraid to show it! Display them in your home with a stylish shelving unit along with a potted plant or chic decor. Be sure to keep them away from sunlight and enjoy an eye-pleasing display of your fave always-on-hand oils!
Need a little inspiration on how to display and organize your oils? Check out the photo submissions from Young Living members throughout this post!
Photo by Mackenzie Waldron
Have questions about storing your oils, keeping the quality consistent over time, and getting the most out of each little bottle? Here are some frequently asked questions:
Some essential oil lovers swear by putting their oils in the fridge. It isn’t so much the lower temperature that matters—oils do not need to be kept that cold—but the consistent climate. Your fridge stays the same temperature day and night, which helps preserve the oil. If you don’t want your oil to be cold when you use it, be sure to remove it about 1–2 hours before you’ll need it so the oil can return to room temperature. Once you’re finished using the oil, put it back in the fridge so it can return to a consistent temperature.
Putting essential oils in the freezer is perfectly safe. The consistent temperature and lack of light will help to preserve your oils. There are some oils—like Rose, Thyme, and others—that may have natural components that solidify or crystallize in the freezer. If your oils do this, simply allow them to thaw before you use them by keeping them at room temperature. Once you’re finished with them, return them to your freezer to store.
Photo by Frankie Gene
Essential oils are incredibly powerful, which means that many oils will dissolve plastic. For this reason, it’s recommended to keep oils in glass bottles or stainless-steel containers. Keep this in mind when you make essential oil-based DIYs like DIY body spray or facial toner.
You’ll notice that all Young Living essential oils come in amber bottles. That’s to protect them from light, which can alter their delicate composition. We recommend always storing your essential oils in dark or opaque bottles to preserve their quality.
Essential oils don’t expire in the traditional sense. When stored properly, essential oils can last for years. But because of a process called oxidation, which begins the moment you open your bottle and expose the oil to the air, oils will gradually change over time. Following the suggestions mentioned above—storing oils in dark bottles, keeping them out of the sun, and storing them at room or cool temperatures—will help prolong the lifespan of your oils. Read this article to learn more about essential oil oxidation and expiration.
Photo by Rachel Lynn Engen
Looking for more sparks of inspiration for how you can use your oils? Check out essential oils for travel (and other vacay must-haves) or how to create your own essential oil diffuser blends.
What’s your favorite way to store your essential oil collection?
Tell us in the comments!
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Hello. I currently have my oils in a pantry, but for ease of use grabbing ones I need and having the selection more organized I was considering storing them on a shelf on a wall in my home away from a window. Is that safe and okay for the oils? Some natural light reaches them but the wood surrounds them a good bit. Thanks for your feedback in advance!
Hi Brittinni, Essential oils should be sealed tightly and stored upright in a cool, dark, dry location. Cool temperatures should be considered near room temperature at 72 degrees Fahrenheit. You will also want to make sure that the oils are stored in a location where they will be kept safe from fluctuations in temperature.
I have read that some brands of oils can be stored in the refrigerator. Can Young Living oils also be stored in the refrigerator?
Hello Peg, Thanks for stopping by. We would recommend a dark, cool, dry place over refrigeration as moisture would then become an issue, but it is ultimately up to your own discretion.
DO your oils come as roll ons where I can just apply or does it have to be done through a diffuser?
Hi Melissa, We do carry a few roll on already made you can view them at our website or be clicking here Essential Oil Roll-ons, also you can visit the DIY Perfume with Essential oils and purchase Aromaglide Roller fitments to help you complete the final touch.
I am staying in hot climate country. Can I store young living essential oils in refrigerator?
Hi Adelyn, We would recommend a dark, cool, dry place over refrigeration as moisture would then become an issue, but it is ultimately up to your own discretion. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi
I'm wondering if it is okay to store diluted essential oils (like in lotions, liquid soaps, etc) in plastic bottles.
Hi Avery, It is advised that you store essential oils in their original containers. However, if you decide to mix oils or store them in different containers, we recommend using dark colored glass. We do not recommend storing undiluted essential oils in plastic containers. Many essential oils are incompatible with plastic material. Using a PETE or PP plastic bottle can help, but we recommend switching to glass or stainless steel if you would like to use the same bottle for extended periods of time.
Hello. I have essential a bottle of Myrrh that has basically become super thick and sticky much like a honey that's starting to get crystallized. I don't know if this is coming with Myrrh in particular because not 1 of my other oils have done this even oils that are older than my Myrrh. It has has been stored with all my other oils and non of my other pils appear to be drying out or evaporating. Also is there a way I could mix it with a carrier oil as a blend to lighten it to use or is it a lost cause?
Hi Liz, Myrrh is considered a thick oil and will congeal or appear empty when the oil is cool. Shaking the bottle, rubbing the bottle between hands, placing the bottle in warm water, and/or using a toothpick to stir it up will allow it to liquefy. This is a normal characteristic and the oil will continue to retain its full therapeutic properties!
I have a 6 month old that's been struggling with virus after virus from starting daycare. Is it safe to diffuse oils in his bedroom? If so, are there oils that are recommended for this?
Hi Shannon, To safeguard the health of your children, the essential oils should not be diffused in their immediate proximity or for long periods of time without the prior consent of a pediatric physician. Because Young Living’s products are not labeled to be used as drugs, they are not intended for use in the treatment or cure of disease or any abnormal function of the body, including ailments or injuries. Therefore, Young Living cannot provide advice or recommendation for products to address any type of disease, ailment, or injury. We advise that you consult with a pediatrician about your child.
Hi i wanted to ask whether if we color glass bottles (amber color) using glass paint, would it have the same effect as amber glass bottles? Would it be any better than storing in transparent bottles?
Hi Eman, Great question! True amber glass is preferred when storing essential oils over long periods of time as the amber protects the bottle's contents from UV rays. UV rays can alter the chemical constituents of the essential oil, limiting its beneficial value. We are unable to guarantee that using glass paint to color transparent bottles would deflect UV rays the same as an amber glass bottle.
I have your 30 oil kit and carrying case. I always keep them in there, sealed tightly, away from sunlight, and my home is around 68degrees on average. However, it seems my oils are disappearing! Evertime I look, more and more of them seem to have evaporated for some reason. I got them within this past year too, so it's not like they're old. Even ones that I've only used once or twice I'm shocked to see are now very low in their bottle! It's weird because I'm a stickler for making sure they're in a hospitabl environment, so I don't understand what's happening. I can't say enough about how much I love your oils though! I've seen them perform miracles before. I'm repeatedly floored by their healing abilities. Thank you in advance for your response! 💗
Hi Cally, We are happy to hear about your love for the oils! All essential oils will migrate or oxidize over time, however proper storage can help control this occurrence. Keep up the great work of having your oils sealed tightly and stored upright in a cool, dark, dry location that is free from temperature fluctuation!
Does the 10 bottle carrying case hold both 5ml and 15ml bottles? The other cases state that they are best used for, or only used for 5ml. Thanks!
Hi Heather, The 10 Oil Case can hold both 5-ml and 15-ml bottles! Thanks for stopping by with your question!