Oxidation and the Shelf Life of Essential Oils

Do some essential oils improve with age? What is a “still note”? Can an essential oil oxidize if it is also an antioxidant? How do I know if an essential oil has oxidized? What about absolutes and CO2 extracts?

This single class delves into the issues of oxidation and the proper storage of essential oils. Robert Tisserand explains how oxidation impacts both safety and efficacy, how to best protect your oils from oxidation, and what to do once they have oxidized. Included is a printable handout with the shelf lives of most commonly used essential oils.

Updated in March 2022.

Price: $39 US

Did you know that even the best quality essential oils deteriorate over time?

Learn how to take good care of your essential oils – they will keep their freshness – and their therapeutic activity – for longer!

Class content includes:

  • The causes of oxidation: oxygen, light, heat.
  • The most oxidation-prone oils and constituents.
  • How essential oil constituents degrade.
  • Why this leads to changes in odor, loss of therapeutic potency, and increased risk.
  • Why temperature makes a difference.
  • Which colors of glass work best, and why.
  • How to safe essential oil with sediment. 
  • Interaction with plastic over time.
  • The diligent use of antioxidants or compressed gas.
  • How to dispose of old essential oils.

What You Get in the Class

LESSON RECORDING
A recording of the presentation by Robert Tisserand.

Q&A RECORDING
Recording of the Q&A that took place after the original presentation. 

PRINTABLE COURSE MATERIAL
A handout with all the slides, and a shelf-life chart for 96 essential oils – both of these for you to download and print.

CONTINUED ACCESS
You’ll have access to the recording of the webinar to watch and review as needed.

Robert Tisserand

Author | Speaker | Founder of Tisserand Institute

Robert is one of the world’s leading experts in aromatherapy with over 40 years of experience. He is a speaker, educator, author, and consultant on the science and benefits of essential oils and their safe and effective application. Robert has inspired audiences in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Czech Republic, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and Japan on topics ranging from the therapeutic foundations of essential oils to examinations on essential oils and the skin.

Robert wrote one of the first books to bring awareness to aromatherapy in 1977, The Art of Aromatherapy, and is a co-author of Essential Oil Safety (2nd Edition, 2014), a book that sets industry standards for the safe use of essential oils.

What previous students say about our courses:

The extraordinary expertise of R. Tisserand in EO. Explanations are clear, based on facts and clinical facts. Wonderful courses. ~ Laure Mattia
I enjoyed the way Hana and Robert interact to make sure the material is understood. ~ Debra Gildernew
I have enjoyed all of the courses I have taken. I really appreciate all of the hard work that must go into producing such a high quality online learning experience. ~ Faith Miller