Question
I have some sweet almond oil that smells a little strange and I am wondering whether to use it or not. Do carrier oils spoil or go bad? How do you know if it has gone off?
Shannon, BC
Answer
Many of the carrier oils, which are the oils we mix the essential oils into, can go bad. They are food based and therefore can be too old for use and actually go rancid, just like food. These may include sweet almond oil, and also olive, my favorite grapeseed, sunflower and apricot kernel oils for example. They get a distinct, unpleasant smell. If it no longer smells “right” then it’s gone off!
Depending on how old the oil is when you buy it and how it has been handled, the carrier oil may last years. So, if it’s at the back of the cupboard and you have had it for a while, open it up and smell it to see. I have had carrier oils for more than three years without any perceptible change. Some carriers do not go rancid. For example Jojoba because it is a liquid wax will last indefinitely if properly stored.
Store your carrier oils away from heat and light, with the caps tightly closed. With proper handling you can probably expect a carrier oil from a good source to last two years. Be sure to throw them away if you detect any type of unusual aroma.
If you plan to use only small amounts of carrier oils, purchase the smallest size available. In that way, you won’t end up storing large unused quantities that will go bad.