Does Coconut Oil Go Bad? And Why Monoï Turns Solid

Coconut oil turns solid when it's cool because it melts at around 24°C (about 76°F), so in a cool bathroom it goes white and firm. That's normal and doesn't mean it has spoiled. Coconut oil and monoï can go off over time, though: if the smell turns sour, stale or like old crayons, it's past its best. Store it away from heat and sunlight.

Why monoï and coconut oil turn solid

Most plant oils are liquid at room temperature. Coconut oil is the exception people notice, because it melts at around 24°C, about 76°F. That's right in the range of an ordinary room. On a warm day it's a clear liquid; on a cool morning it's a white, waxy solid; in between, it can look cloudy or have soft white flecks floating in it.

Monoï is coconut oil steeped with tiare flowers, so it behaves the same way. In French Polynesia, where it's warm all year, it stays liquid. Take it home to a cooler climate and it often won't.

None of this changes the oil. It's the same oil, solid or liquid, and it can go back and forth as many times as the temperature does.

How to melt solid monoï or coconut oil

• Hold the bottle in your hands for a minute or two.
• Stand it in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for a few minutes.
• Keep it in the warmest spot of your bathroom, away from the window and direct sun.

Don't microwave it, and don't leave it on a radiator or in a hot car. Heat is what makes oils age faster.

Does coconut oil go bad?

Yes, eventually. All oils slowly react with oxygen over time, which is what "going rancid" means. Coconut oil is more stable than many oils, but it isn't immortal, and heat, light and air speed the process up.

Here is how to tell:

• Smell: fresh monoï smells of coconut and flowers. Oil that's past its best smells sour, stale, bitter or like old crayons.
• Color: a noticeable yellowing or darkening that wasn't there before.
• Texture: something that looks wrong, such as mold or spots on a solid surface. Throw it out.

White, solid or cloudy on its own is not a sign it has gone off. That's just the temperature.

How long does an opened bottle last?

Look for a small open-jar symbol on the label with a number and "M," such as "12M." That's the period after opening: how many months the maker recommends using it within once it's open. If there's no symbol, trust your nose, and write the date you opened it on the bottle.

How to store it so it lasts

• Keep the cap on tight between uses.
• Store it out of direct sunlight; a cabinet is better than a sunny windowsill.
• Avoid heat: no radiators, hot cars or beach bags baking in the sun all day.
• Pour or spray it rather than dipping wet fingers into the bottle.

Why some monoï body oils stay liquid

A pure monoï is almost entirely coconut oil, so it turns solid in the cold. Many body oils made with monoï are blends: monoï plus lighter oils and emollients that stay liquid at room temperature. That's one reason a blend sprays and spreads more easily.

Our Tahitian Oil is a blend of that kind: monoï with kukui, macadamia and passion fruit seed oils on a lighter base, made to mist onto damp skin. It also contains tocopherol, a form of vitamin E, which helps protect the oils in the formula from oxidizing. If you'd like to try it, the 8ml mini is $15.

Questions about coconut oil and monoï

Why did my monoï oil turn white?

It got cool. Coconut oil solidifies below about 24°C (76°F) and turns white and waxy. Warm it gently and it will turn clear again.

Is cloudy coconut oil bad?

No. Cloudiness usually means it's partly solid because it's near its melting point. Check the smell; if it smells fresh, it's fine.

Can I use coconut oil that has gone solid?

Yes. Warm a little between your palms and it melts on contact with skin.

How can I tell if monoï has gone rancid?

By smell. Fresh monoï smells of coconut and flowers; rancid oil smells sour, stale or like old crayons.

Should I keep monoï in the fridge?

There's no need, and it will go completely solid. A cool, dark cabinet is ideal.

More on monoï: how to choose a monoï body oil and what tiare is.