Why We Don’t Store Essential Oils in Plastic or Styrofoam
Why We Don’t Store Essential Oils in Plastic or Styrofoam — But Still Ingest Them Safely
Have you ever heard that essential oils can eat through Styrofoam or not to store your oils in plastic? Even if you dog mama are drinking oily water (I do daily) to use glass not plastic —yet they’re still used internally in both humans and animals?
This can really scare a lot of people!
The Science Behind Essential Oils
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant compounds made up of small, volatile molecules. Chemically, they include potent constituents like:
Phenols (e.g., eugenol in clove)
Monoterpenes (e.g., limonene in citrus)
Aldehydes, Ketones, and Esters
These constituents give essential oils their powerful therapeutic effects—but they also make oils solvents that can break down certain materials.
Why Essential Oils Can’t Be Stored in Plastic or Styrofoam
Plastic containers (especially low-quality ones) are made from petroleum-based polymers. Essential oils can penetrate and dissolve these plastics, breaking them down chemically.
Styrofoam (polystyrene) is even more vulnerable—monoterpenes like d-limonene (found in citrus oils like orange and lemon) can dissolve Styrofoam on contact.
This is not because essential oils are toxic. It’s because they are lipophilic solvents—they dissolve fat-based substances and synthetic polymers.
Analogy: Essential oils “eat” plastic the same way rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover (acetone) might dissolve certain surfaces—not because they’re dangerous to ingest, but because they’re chemically active.
These benefits are where we begin to get into detox protocols. I coach my clients (and yes members of my YL team) on seasonal detox protocols every year. We cycle through petrochemical detox, lymphatic drainage, vaccine detox, etc – I do this for dogs, but I also participate in groups who lead this for women and families! Members get access to it all!
Proper storage: Always use glass (especially amber or cobalt), stainless steel, or high-quality HDPE #2 plastic for storing essential oils or oil-based blends. Never use Styrofoam, plastic droppers, or plastic measuring cups for undiluted oils.
Why Essential Oils Can Be Safe for Internal Use
When essential oils are high-quality, properly diluted, and used intentionally, internal use can be safe and beneficial.
Key safety principles:
Dilution in fat: Essential oils are fat-soluble. When taken internally, they should be combined with a carrier fat (like olive oil, coconut oil, or the fat in a raw diet) to protect the mucous membranes and aid absorption.
Small amounts: The body is equipped to handle minute amounts of natural substances like essential oils, much like it metabolizes other potent compounds in herbs, spices, and foods.
Targeted use: Many essential oils are FDA-recognized as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) for flavoring and ingestion in very small quantities.
With dogs, we often use essential oils internally for specific needs—like digestive support or immune boosting—but always in very small, carefully measured amounts, and always with the right oil.
The Bottom Line
Essential oils dissolve synthetic materials like plastic and Styrofoam because of their solvent power—not because they’re inherently toxic.
When you store oils properly (in glass) and use them with respect for their potency, they are a powerful, natural part of wellness—even for internal use.
Takeaway for Students:
"Just because an oil dissolves plastic doesn’t mean it will ‘dissolve you’—it simply means you’re not synthetic and God made these oils, herbs, and remedies to support our bodies!