Out with the Old & In with the New – Carrier Oil Shelf Life

Is it time to go through your old carrier oils and see if any need throwing out? Some don’t last forever you know. Here is a quick guide to shelf life.

A carrier oils’ shelf life, which is the length of time before a particular oil begins to turn rancid, can be greatly influenced by heat and light. You will want to store your oils in a cool, dark place to preserve their freshness and in some cases refrigerate (e.g. Not Avocado), as heat and sunlight can shorten their shelf life. When refrigerating, oils may appear cloudy but will regain their clear state upon returning to room temperature. If you have a large amount of carrier oil on hand, you can freeze the unused portion until ready for use.

Tip: Try not to mix too much of your favorite massage blend up in advance, if you don’t plan on using it right away.

Carrier Oil	Shelf Life
Fractionated Coconut	Indefinite
Flaxseed	3-6 months
Mustard Seed	18-24 months
Grapeseed	3-6 months (up to 9 months, if refrigerated)
Olive	12-18 months
Sweet Almond	12 months
Jojoba	Indefinite
Aloe Vera	6-12 months
Apricot Kernel	6-12 months
Argan	24 months
Avocado	12 months
Borage	6 months
Calendula	12 months
Carrot Seed	12 months
Castor	Indefinite
Coconut (virgin)	2-4 years
Coconut (fractionated)	Indefinite
Evening Primrose	6-12 months
Flaxseed	Up to 6 months
Hazelnut	12 months
Hemp Seed	12 months
St. John Wort	12 months
Emu	12 months
Macadamia	12 months
Olive	24 months
Palm	24 months
Pomegranate Seed	12 months
Rosehip Seed	6 months
Safflower	24 months
Sunflower	12 months
Wheat Germ	12 months
Walnut	12 months
Kukui	12 months
Karanj	12 months
Pumpkin Seed	6-12 months
Camellia Seed	12 months
Meadowfoam Seed	Indefinite
Sea Buckthorn Berry	12 months