Do Essential Oils Freeze? How to Handle & Store Oils at Below Zero Temps

How Cold Temperatures Affect Essential Oils

Essential oils are derived from aromatic compounds found in plants. They are highly concentrated and volatile substances that capture the scent and properties of the plant source. This makes essential oils popular for uses like aromatherapy, personal care products, cleaning solutions and more.

But how do essential oils hold up in cold temperatures? Can essential oils freeze, and does freezing damage or change them? Let's take a closer look at how chilling temperatures impacts these beneficial plant oils.

The Composition of Essential Oils

An essential oil's chemical composition determines its aroma, therapeutic benefits, and physical properties. Many essential oils get their signature scents from compounds like terpenes, esters, aldehydes, ketones, and alcohols.

The specific combination and concentration of these aromatic compounds also influences qualities like:

• Viscosity - how thick or thin the oil is
• Volatility - how quickly it evaporates
• Flash point - the lowest temperature it ignites
• Solubility - ability to dissolve in water or oil

These intrinsic physical and chemical traits dictate how an essential reacts to external factors like temperature changes.

Do Essential Oils Freeze?

Yes, essential oils can freeze just like other liquids. The freezing point of an essential oil depends on its particular chemical makeup. But most essential oils freeze somewhere between -50°F (-45°C) and -8°F (-22°C).

Factors Affecting Freezing Point of Essential Oils

The following factors influence the specific temperature an essential oil will freeze at:

• Molecular weight - Oils with lower molecular weights freeze at lower temps.
• Saturation - Saturated oils freeze at higher temps than unsaturated oils.
• Purity - Contaminants lower the freezing point slightly.
• Volume - Freezing point is slightly lower in larger volumes.

How to Tell if an Essential Oil is Frozen

A frozen essential oil will exhibit these visible traits:

• Cloudy or solid appearance
• Crystalized texture throughout liquid
• Will not pour from the bottle
• Bottle may feel cold to the touch
• No aroma diffusion from surface

Does Freezing Damage Essential Oils?

Freezing temperatures alone do not damage or degrade properly stored essential oils. That's because the volatile aromatic compounds are stable at freezing and even below zero temperatures.

Protecting Frozen Essential Oils from Damage

However, additonal freezing damage can occur if precautions are not taken:

• Keep airspace to minimum to prevent oxidation.
• Avoid freezing and thawing cycle strain.
• Store oils upright to prevent leaks.
• Wrap frozen bottles to prevent light exposure.
• Use air-tight bottles compatible with temperature changes.

Following handling and storage best practices allows essential oils to freeze without issue.

Thawing and Handling Frozen Essential Oils

Frozen essential oils can simply be thawed to restore them to liquid state. They do not necessarily need special handling once frozen compared to never frozen oils.

How to Safely Thaw Essential Oils

Here are some tips for properly thawing essential oils:

• Do NOT rapidly heat or microwave oils to thaw.
• Set aside sealed bottles and allow to slowly reach room temp again.
• Gently mix the oil once thawed to evenly distribute compounds.
• Assess for leakage during freeze and rebottle if needed.

With the right precautions taken, previously frozen essential can be handled and used like any other oil.

Using Essential Oils After Freezing

Essential oils thawed from frozen state retain their aroma, potency, and benefits. They can be still be used for:

• Aromatherapy diffusing
• Massage oils and liniments
• Home cleaning solutions
• Candle and soap making
• DIY beauty products

If properly stored and thawed, previously frozen essential oils remain safe and effective to use in all sorts of beneficial applications.

Essential Oils That Freeze Well

While all essential oils can technically freeze, some handle low temperatures better than others. The most freeze-friendly options include:

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil's high menthol content allows it to freeze solid and reheats to liquid smoothly thanks to even melting points between compounds.

Eucalyptus Oil

Another menthol-rich oil, eucalyptus oil is frequently exposed to freezing when wild crafted. The oil resiliently freezes and thaws annually.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is dominated by terpene compounds that crystallize at low temperatures but revert back without separating or oxidizing issues.

Lemon Oil

Citrus oils like lemon oil handle temperature fluxes well thanks to balanced ratios of frozen terpenes and prevented ester separation.

All properly stored essential oils can be frozen without permanent effects on quality. But minty, camphorous, and citrus oils have compounds most amenable to frozen states.

Storing Essential Oils in Freezing Temperatures

While essential oils themselves can endure freezing, some preparation is still needed to store oils at below zero temperatures long term without damage.

Tips to Store Essential Oils Below Freezing

Use these essential oil cold storage tips:

• Choose small, airtight bottles to minimize air exposure.
• Fill bottles as full as possible to reduce remaining air space.
• Select durable bottles like glass over plastic to prevent cracks.
• Store oils away from direct light to avoid photosensitivity.
• Label bottles properly in case of accidental mixing after freezing.

With the right storage methods in place, essential oils can stay intact through freezing winters and return to liquid form once brought back to room temperatures.

Ideal Essential Oil Storage Temperature

While essential oils vary in their chemical sensitivity, the generally recommended storage temperature to balance usability and stability is 50°–70°F (10°–21°C). Colder freezer temperatures risk accidently forgotten bottles, while hot warehouse spaces speed up oil degradation.

Monitor your storage conditions and watch for any cold temperature changes that could inadvertently freeze your essential oils based on the expected weather forecast.

In summary, most properly stored essential oils can freeze temporarily without causing permanent changes or damage. Handle frozen bottles carefully, allow them to naturally thaw, and take preventative measures to avoid over-freezing oils when storing in very cold climates.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.