Glass vs. Plastic: Where do I store my essential Oils?
Glass vs. Plastic: Which is the best for storing essential oils?
An age-old essential question about storing essential oils: let’s debunk this mystery!
“Pure” Essential Oils
When an essential oil is “pure” (undiluted, nothing added), it is extremely potent. That’s why we love it—right? This pure state allows access to all of the oil’s natural healing and helping properties.
When it comes to storage, though, this potency can have adverse affects if not treated correctly.
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So, glass or plastic?
Most plastic can’t stand up to the punch these oils pack. Essential oils (especially “hot oils” like cinnamon, orange, or clove) can destroy or damage plastic containers, causing leaks, and exposing oils to elements that decrease effectiveness and the lifespan of the oil.
We don’t want to lose a drop of that liquid magic.
So when an oil is “pure”, a glass container is best. It’s also important to make sure that the glass container is airtight, and amber or cobalt in color. This protects the oil from sun, oxygen, and heat, which can decrease the shelf life of the oil.
“Diluted” Essential Oils
A diluted essential oil has been added to a base. For example: a lotion, coconut oil, or water. Which, while preserving the fragrance, dilutes the potency.
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So, glass or plastic?
Glass is still always the best option. But when an oil has been diluted and a plastic option better fits your needs, PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) plastic and HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) plastic-check that they are BPA free-should work just fine for storage.
This is a great option for bathroom hand soaps, solid deodorants, and lighter weight travel containers.
Shop oil friendly plastic and glass containers from Oil Life.