FAYNAN pure botanicals: amber dropper bottles and a resealable pouch with dates, pomegranate, rosemary and Sidr leaves on pale limestone

How to Store Natural Oils and Botanical Powders

Natural oils and botanical powders have no added preservatives to mask their age. Kept well, they stay fresh and pleasant to use. Kept badly, beside a sunny window or above a steaming bath, they fade much faster. A few simple habits make all the difference.

The four things to protect against

  • Light: sunlight breaks oils down. This is why every FAYNAN oil comes in amber glass.
  • Heat: warmth speeds up the natural ageing of an oil.
  • Air: oxygen slowly turns oils stale. Close the cap straight after use.
  • Water: moisture is the enemy of powders, and of droppers put back into a bottle wet.

Single oils

Keep bottles tightly closed in a cool, dark cupboard, not on a sunny windowsill or next to the shower. A bedroom drawer or a bathroom cabinet away from steam is ideal.

  • Richer oils, such as Wheat Germ and Akpi Seed, are the most delicate. We recommend using akpi seed oil within 6 months of opening.
  • Lighter oils, such as Jojoba, Argan and Grapeseed, keep well with the same care.
  • Always follow any storage note on the label.
FAYNAN Pure Argan Oil and Pure Date Seed Oil in amber glass bottles

Why some oils turn cloudy or solid

This is natural, and nothing to worry about.

  • Jojoba may turn cloudy or thicken in the cold. It clears again at room temperature.
  • Neem may solidify when cool. Stand the closed bottle in warm water until it is liquid.

How to tell if an oil has turned

Trust your nose. A fresh oil smells of itself: nutty, green, grassy or almost nothing at all, depending on the plant. An oil that has turned smells sharp, sour or like old crayons, and may feel stickier. If an oil smells off, do not use it on your skin or hair.

Essential oils

Rosemary, Turmeric and Dill Seed essential oils are concentrated and volatile. Keep them tightly closed, upright, away from heat, light and open flame, and out of reach of children. Blends you make yourself are best mixed in small amounts and used within a few days. See Essential Oils and Carrier Oils.

Botanical powders

Sidr, Henna, Pomegranate Peel and Mashat come in resealable pouches for a reason.

  • Reseal the pouch after every use, pressing out the air.
  • Keep it dry: never scoop with a wet spoon or wet hands.
  • Store away from the steam of the bathroom.
  • Mix only what you need for one use, and do not keep leftover paste. For henna timing, see our henna guide.
Open resealable pouch of FAYNAN Pure Sidr Leaf Powder with a wooden scoop

Using the dropper well

  • Do not touch the dropper tip with your fingers, skin or hair.
  • Return it to the bottle straight away, and close the cap firmly.
  • Never rinse the dropper with water and put it back wet.

Travelling with your oils

Keep bottles upright in a sealed bag, inside your wash bag, and out of hot cars. A 30 mL bottle fits most cabin liquid allowances, but check your airline's rules.

Browse every single oil and powder in the Pure Botanicals collection, or read How to Choose a Hair Oil.

Back to blog