How to Store Argan Oil and How Long It Lasts

Table of contents

1. What harms argan oil
2. Where to keep it
3. The bottle
4. The label date
5. Culinary oil after opening
6. Cosmetic oil after opening
7. How to tell when it has gone off
8. Can you refrigerate argan oil
9. Storing homemade mixtures
10. Gifts and travel
11. Storage at a glance
12. Decanting into a small bottle
13. A quick smell and taste routine
14. What to do with oil past its best
15. Frequently asked questions
16. Sources
17. What we verified

Argan oil is a natural oil, and like any natural oil it changes with time. Storage is what decides how long it stays pleasant to use. The rules are simple, and they protect both your money and your food or skin.

What harms argan oil

Light, heat, air and time. Sunlight and warmth speed up oxidation, which is the process that makes oils turn rancid. Air gets in every time you open the bottle. That is why producers pack argan oil in dark glass and why you should close the cap firmly after each use.

Where to keep it

A kitchen cupboard away from the stove and oven works well for culinary oil. A bathroom shelf is fine for cosmetic oil if it is out of direct light and away from hot showers. Avoid windowsills and shelves above radiators. If your home is very hot in summer, a cool cupboard is better than a warm counter.

The bottle

Keep argan oil in dark glass. If you buy it in a clear bottle, place the bottle in a cupboard, or pour the oil into a small dark bottle. Small bottles are better than large ones, because a big bottle stays open for longer.

The label date

Follow the best before date on the label. Many producers give one to two years for unopened bottles, and opened bottles are best used within a shorter period. One lifestyle article gives about 6 to 12 months from production for pure oil stored well (Life Pharmacy). It is a single commercial source, so check the best before date and aim to use the oil within a year. If a label has no date, ask the seller when the oil was pressed and treat it with more care.

Culinary oil after opening

Once you open a bottle of culinary oil, try to finish it within a few months for the best flavour. Wipe the neck of the bottle so that old drops do not turn rancid and spread the smell.

Cosmetic oil after opening

Cosmetic argan oil often lasts longer than culinary oil because it is unroasted, but the label date still matters. Use a clean, dry dropper or pour a little into your palm. Do not dip fingers into the bottle.

How to tell when it has gone off

1. Smell. Fresh culinary oil smells of roasted nuts. Fresh cosmetic oil smells mild. A sharp, bitter, metallic or paint like smell means the oil is rancid.
2. Taste, for culinary oil only. If it tastes harsh or stale, discard it.
3. Texture and colour. Cloudy particles near the bottom of a cold bottle can be normal, and a very dark colour change is a warning.

If you are unsure, do not use it. A new bottle costs less than a bad meal or a skin reaction.

Can you refrigerate argan oil

You can, and cold can thicken the oil and make it cloudy. This usually clears at room temperature. A cool cupboard is enough for most homes. One shop that sells argan products says a cool place or the refrigerator both work (MySkinRecipes).

Storing homemade mixtures

Recipes that combine argan oil with water based ingredients spoil much faster than the oil alone. The beauty recipes in this collection state a shelf life for each one. Make small batches and keep them clean and dry.

Gifts and travel

If you carry argan oil home from Morocco, wrap the bottle so it cannot leak, and keep it out of hot cars and luggage sitting in the sun. The guide to bringing gifts home has packing steps.

Storage at a glance

Product	Where to keep it	Best use window
Culinary oil, unopened	Cool, dark cupboard	Follow the label date
Culinary oil, opened	Cool, dark cupboard, cap closed	A few months for best flavour
Cosmetic oil, unopened	Cool, dark place	Follow the label date
Cosmetic oil, opened	Bathroom shelf away from light and steam	Follow the label date and your nose

Decanting into a small bottle

If you buy a large bottle, pour a little into a small dark bottle for daily use and keep the large one sealed. Use a clean, dry funnel. Label the small bottle with the date. This keeps most of the oil away from air and from your fingers.

A quick smell and taste routine

1. Open the bottle and smell the oil. It should smell like roasted nuts if culinary, or mild if cosmetic.
2. Put a drop on your hand and smell again after a minute. Rancid oil smells sharper as it warms.
3. For culinary oil, taste a drop. It should taste nutty and clean, not bitter.

If the smell or taste worries you, do not use the oil.

What to do with oil past its best

If the oil has gone off, do not use it on food or skin. You can throw it away or, if it is only slightly stale, use it for something that is not eaten and does not touch skin, such as polishing wooden utensils. I would avoid keeping questionable oil around, because it can end up used by mistake.

Frequently asked questions

Does argan oil expire?

Yes. It stays good for a long time when stored properly, and the date on the label is your guide.

Can I use argan oil that is a bit old?

If it smells and tastes normal, it is usually fine. If it smells sharp or bitter, discard it.

Why does my bottle look cloudy?

Cold can make oils cloudy. Warm the bottle in your hands and see if it clears.

Sources

• Life Pharmacy, does argan oil expire (stockdb.lifepharmacy.com)
• MySkinRecipes, argan oil usage and storage (myskinrecipes.com)