Usage, Storage and Shelf Life of Carrier Oils for Natural Hair
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- April 29, 2014
Believe it or not, many carrier oils, which are often used directly on hair or in products, expire. Changes can be observed in the texture, color, and scent of these oils as the fats breakdown. Once the odor becomes unpleasant, it’s time to dispose of it. Typically, there is a best used by date or expiration on the packaging. The way you store oils can contribute to improved shelf life. Some oils are best refrigerated which can sometimes almost double the already pre-determined shelf-life. Your best bet would be to make sure your oils are stored in air-tight containers, in a cool, dry, dark place. Here is a list of commonly found oils in skin and hair products:
Aa
Almond Oil (unrefined)
Shelf Life of 1 year
Botanical Name: Prunus dulcis
Origin: USA
Extraction Method: Cold Pressed / Unrefined
Color: Light gold to clear
Obtained From: The kernel
Contains: Glucosides, minerals, vitamins, oleic acid and sterolins
Uses: Can reduce shedding and help with dandruff
Argan Oil
Shelf Life of 2 years
Botanical Name: Argania spinosa
Origin: Morocco
Extraction Method: Cold Pressed / Unrefined
Color: Light/medium golden brown
Obtained From: The nuts
Contains: Considered a very rich and nutritious oil high in Vitamin E and antioxidants. Contains sterols with anti-inflammatory properties.
Uses: Good source of vitamin E, adding shine and luster
Avocado Oil (unrefined)
Shelf Life of 1 year
Botanical Name: Persea gratissima
Origin: France
Extraction Method: Cold Pressed / Unrefined
Color: Rich, dark, thick green
Obtained From: Fruit
Contains: High in Vitamin E, lecithin and phytosterols
Uses: Known for it’s healing, anti-bacterial and anti-wrinkle properties
Bb
Babbasu Oil
Shelf Life of 1 – 2 years
Botanical Name: Orbignya oleifera
Origin: Brazil
Extraction Method: Expeller / Refined
Color: White / semi-solid
Obtained From: The fruit
Contains: Very high in essential fatty acids
Uses: Conditioning, protective, and helps to keep other carrier oils from going rancid; similar to coconut oil
Brazil Nut Oil
Shelf Life of 2 years
Botanical Name: Bertholletia excelsa
Origin: Brazil
Extraction Method: Cold Pressed / Gently Refined
Color: Clear yellow with a slightly nutty aroma
Obtained From: The nut
Contains: Highest content of selenium, as well as 70% fat content (very rich); 17% protein
Uses: Excellent lubricant and conditioner for the skin and in your hair care routine
Cc
Carrot Seed Oil
Shelf Life of 1 year
Botanical Name: Daucus carota
Origin: USA
Extraction Method: Cold pressed
Color: Rich, dark green
Obtained From: The seed
Contains: Vitamins, minerals, beta-carotene vitamins (B,C,D,E), minerals, beta carotene, provitamin A and EFA’s
Uses: Prevents premature aging, itching, burns, dryness, psoriasis and eczema; rejuvenating, reduces scarring; said to stimulate hair growth.
Castor Oil
Indefinite Shelf Life
Botanical Name: Ricinus communis
Origin: USA
Extraction Method: Cold pressed
Color: Clear
Obtained From: The castor bean
Uses: Improves hair’s shine, growth and condition of scalp
Coconut Cream/Oil
Shelf Life of 2 – 4 years
Botanical Name: Cocos nucifera
Origin: India
Extraction Method: Cold Pressed / Centrifuged / Organic / Virgin
Color: White
Obtained From: Fresh coconut flesh
Uses: Conditioning, protective, and helps to keep other carrier oils from going rancid
Emu Oil
Shelf Life of 1 year (refrigeration recommended)
Grade ‘A’, Australian Emu Oil, produced under the Strict Australian Emu Oil regulations (equivalent to the USDA). The birds are totally free range, feeding on an all natural diet, which includes natural plants with antibiotic properties. No growth hormones or medicines are used, and they are not fed on corn, meat meal or hydrogenated oil feed. This is the real thing, as natural as you can get. All the natural fatty acids are preserved by low temperature refining processes and refrigerated storage.
Evening Primrose Oil
Shelf Life of 6 months to 1 yea (refrigeration recommended)
Botanical Name: Oenothera biennis
Origin: Australia
Extraction Method: Cold pressed / unrefined
Color: Yellow and rich
Obtained From: The seed
Contains: Gamma linolenic acid, vitamins, minerals
Uses: Can be used in shampoos for dry hair, in lotions and creams for dry skin and eczema
Ff
Flax Seed Oil (organic)
Shelf Life of 6 months (refrigeration recommended)
Botanical Name: Linum usitatissimum
Origin: USA
Extraction Method: Cold pressed
Color: Medium to dark yellow
Obtained From: The seed
Contains: High concentration of Omega-3 essential fatty acids
Uses: Internally said to reduce cholesterol; externally, useful for oily skin, acne, psoriasis, and eczema; high level of vitamin e makes it useful for preventing scarring and stretch marks.
Gg
Grapeseed Oil
Shelf Life of 1 year
Botanical Name: Vitis vinifera
Origin: Chile
Extraction Method: Cold pressed
Color: Clear pale green
Obtained From: The seed
Contains: Vitamins, minerals, proteins
Uses: Is the lightest of the oils and virtually odorless.; very “drying”, which should be kept in mind when making products for dry-skin problems
Hemp Seed Oil (organic)
Shelf Life of 1 year (Should be refrigerated)
Botanical Name: Cannabis sativa
Origin: Canada
Extraction Method: Cold pressed / Unrefined / Organic
Color: Deep, rich green
Obtained From: Finola Hempseed
Contains: Vit A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D & E
Uses: Reduce skin discomfort by soothing and restoring dry or damaged skin and increasing the natural moisture retention capacity; slows down the effects of skin aging and leave the skin smooth, soft and conditioned
Jojoba Oil (refined)
Indefinite Shelf Life
Botanical Name: Simmondsia chinensis
Origin: USA
Extraction Method: Expeller pressed / refined
Color: Very rich, clear
Obtained From: The jojoba bean
Contains: Protein, minerals, a waxy substance that mimics collagen
Uses: Provides protection and emolliency while still allowing the skin to breathe; anti oxidant, may help extend the life of other oils.
Neem Seed Oil (unrefined)
Shelf Life of 2 years
Botanical Name: Azadirachta Indica
Origin: India
Extraction Method: Cold Pressed / Virgin
Color: Dark, rich green/brown
Obtained From: The seed
Contains: Triterpenes more specifically, limonoids such as azadirachtin, salannin, meliantriol, nimbin, nimbidin, meliantriol, deacetylazadirachtinol, salannin, salannol, 3-deacetylsalannin etc.
Uses: Strongly scented, aiding the process of healing with it’s anti-bacterial properties; used for all skin disorders such as fungicide, conditioning, regenerating and restoring, antiseptic, insecticide
Olive Oil Pomace
Shelf Life of 2 years
Botanical Name: Olea Europaea
Origin: USA
Extraction Method: Expeller
Color: Medium olive
Obtained From: The olive
Contains: Rich in minerals, vitamins, proteins, essential fatty acids
Uses: Conditioning, cleansing, softening, absorbs easily, anti-oxidant for hair and skin
Palm Oil (unrefined)
Shelf Life of 2 years
Botanical Name: Elaeis guineensis
Origin: USA
Extraction Method: Cold Pressed
Color: Deep orange/red
Obtained From: The palm fruit
Contains: Very rich in carotene and anti-oxidant tocotrienols
Uses: Able to penetrate hair shaft to impart moisture
Pumpkin Seed Oil (unrefined)
Shelf Life of 1 year
Botanical Name: Cucurbita Pepo
Origin: France
Extraction Method: Cold Pressed
Color: Dark green to black
Obtained From: The seed
Contains: Rich in zinc, vitamin E, vitamin A, omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids.
Uses: Used for its emollient properties, very rich and thick
Rose Hip Seed Oil
Shelf Life of 6 months (Needs to be refrigerated, as this oil is quick to go rancid)
Botanical Name: Rosa Rubiginosa aka Rosa Mosqueta
Origin: Chile
Extraction Method: Cold Pressed / Unrefined / Organic
Color: Beautiful reddish orange
Obtained From: The seed
Contains: High in fatty acids. Linoleic (48%); linolenic (35%); Oleic (16%); palmitic (8%)
Uses: Remarkable for damaged, agitated, dry, mature skin. Moisturizes hair and nourishes scalp with vitamin A
Safflower Oil
Shelf Life of 2 years
Botanical Name: Carthamus tinctorius
Origin: USA
Extraction Method: Expeller Pressed / Refined
Color: Very mild clear yellow
Obtained From: Safflower
Contains: High in linoleic acid
Uses: Excellent to condition the skin and rich in ceramides.
Shea Oil
Shelf Life of 1 year
Botanical Name: Butyrospermum parkii
Origin: USA
Extraction Method: Cold Pressed (a fractionated oil by product of the shea butter process) Color: Yellow to gold
Obtained From: The seed of the Karite tree
Contains: Oleic, Palmitic, Linoleic, Alpha-Linolenic, Stearic
Uses: Anti-inflammatory, used for dry skin ,eczema, etc.
Wheat Germ Oil (unrefined)
Shelf Life of 1 year
Botanical Name: Triticum vulgare
Origin: USA
Extraction Method: Cold Pressed and Unrefined
Color: Dark orange
Obtained From: The wheat kernel
Contains: Highest level of natural vitamin E
Uses: Rich in ceramides which help to improve the condition of hair and skin
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