How to tell if your coconut oil has gone bad, because it probably has

The other day I dipped my hands into my jar of coconut oil and found that it was yellowish and weirdly…curdled? I ignored it, thinking, “Oh this is just what coconut oil does.” I’m very clueless sometimes. Then, the next day I found myself reading some women’s magazine and there was this teeny tiny bit of advice that simply said, “When using coconut oil, make sure it doesn’t go rancid.” WAIT, WHAT?

Coconut oil can go bad?! Some of you reading this probably already knew this, but I did not and then I googled “Coconut oil rancid?” and now I realize I’ve been lathering my legs in HAZARDOUS COCONUT OIL. #AdultFail

Here’s the thing. Coconut oil can go bad BEFORE its expiration date.

Since coconut oil is all the rage for cooking and for beauty care, here’s how you can tell if your precious jar of coconut oil has gone bad!

This is what coconut oil should look like when it’s melted.

This is what coconut oil should look like when it’s solid.

It CAN exist in a cloudy in-between state, that’s still good coconut oil.

How to tell if your coconut oil has gone bad?

1. Has it turned yellow?

2. Does it have a blotchy/chunky consistency almost like curdled milk?

3. Does it taste or smell bad?

4. Are there brown or green specs at the bottom of the jar?

If you can say YES to any of the above, then your coconut oil has probably gone bad.

But fear not, here are some ways to prevent coconut oil from going bad. I personally was double-dipping, using my hands, not screwing the cap on tight and storing it in my bathroom, which is ALL OF THE THINGS that make it go bad.

Here’s how to extend the shelf life of your coconut oil.

1. DON’T store it in your bathroom or any room with excess moisture.

2. DON’T double dip. If you use coconut oil for beauty, consider using a spoon and not your hands.

3. Keep the cap on tight!

Enjoy! And keep that skin, hair, and food bacteria free!