"Expired" unopened ingredients

[LZP]

So, I just found a box in my basement from a while ago that has lots of (expensive, when purchased all together) ingredients, that have all since "expired." None have even been opened, but they all expired sometime in 2009 i think.

There are: vegetable glycerine (not organic), coconut oil (org), sweet almont oil (org?), apricot kernel oil (org?). I think they were purchased at Whole Foods, oils are all Spectrum(?) brand and the glycerine is Fronteir something.

I also have grapeseed oil, which I think I did open, actually...

Can I still use these for skin application? TBH, the coconut oil looks a little um, weird on the bottom, with some discoloration. but, the top and middle seem fine from what I can see through the glass. Would melting/heating to a high temp help kill off whatever was undesirable?

I really really hate to toss these, especially now that I want to start making more of my own body products again, and really dont want to buy all new.
But, i will if I have to. I'm not planning on ingesting any of these, but really, I guess slathering myself in it might not be great either...

any way to tell if these things are bad aside from waiting to get sick or break out?

how hard and fast are these expiration dates?

Thanks for any advice you experienced nat body products ladies can offer!

[amber913]

I wouldn't worry about it one bit. If they smell rancid (bad), then perhaps you don't want to slather yourself with them. I dont' think you'd get sick if you did, but you wouldn't be too popular!

All my stuff is old; it's from before i had kids, and i still use it and make stuff with it without problem.

[LZP]

Thanks Amber, this is kind of what I was hoping to read.
I'll look for info about the coconut oil, as that one looks weird... but the others, I'm going for it!

[amber913]

I just found some lip balm i made about 8 years ago. It didn't smell like it used to--it actually didn't smell too appetizing, but i used it anyway, and i'm not dead yet.

I did, however, wipe it off after a few minutes and ran out to buy new.

[QueenOfTheMeadow]

Yeah, I'd go with the smell test. You'll know if they're rancid or not.