Tea Tree oil

[Plschrader]

do you think tea tree essential oil looses its potency over time? I was given a large bottle. The bottle is brown. It smells appropriate.

 

[Obsidian]

I've never had it loose potency, even when quite old. As long as it smells ok, I say use it.

 

[Plschrader]

I've never had it loose potency, even when quite old. As long as it smells ok, I say use it.

Thank you. I was hoping I would get that answer.

 

[soapmaker]

I agree with Obsidian

 

[melinda48]

do you think tea tree essential oil looses its potency over time? I was given a large bottle. The bottle is brown. It smells appropriate.

I have a bottle that has been in my cabinet for over ten years. It does not lose potency.

 

[momoha]

Well, essential oils do oxidize. The smell will change and I wouldn’t rely on them for therapeutic values anymore either. The speed of oxidation will depend on the oil itself and the ambient temperature. In a cold climate I wouldn’t worry too much, it would generally take a really long time before they go bad I believe. I live in a hot climate though, so I keep them in the fridge, otherwise after a few years some of them started going bad. For a big bottle, I advise transferring some in a smaller bottle, like 15 ml one, for common usage, and leave the big one as much unopened, untouched and away from heat as possible.

 

[melinda48]

Interesting. I am sure you are correct about the smell; not as strong as it once was but it will still heal a small cut overnight. I just used the last of it last night as a matter of fact. Bought it through my niece who is a Melaleuca dealer. Will order more from her. I do like their products. Their cleaning products are, in my opinion, exceptional. Never used what was in this bottle for soaping but always for the occasional cut or sting.

 

[Lin19687]

I too have a bottle that is at least 10 years old. Brown bottle . Works great.
Only thing I have used it on in Soap was a Facial Charcoal and it seemed to disappear. Course I didn't use much as it is strong to begin with.

 

[SoaperForLife]

Well, essential oils do oxidize. The smell will change and I wouldn’t rely on them for therapeutic values anymore either.

Lotioncrafter sells a product to help prolong the life of oils called Ox Blox. Robert Tisserand talks about proper essential oil storage here: https://roberttisserand.com/2013/07/lemon-on-the-rockskeep-your-essential-oils-cool/