What can affect CBD oil’s expiration date?
You might be asking, Does CBD oil expire? Like most things, CBD oil has an expiration date. The shelf life of most quality CBD products ranges from 1 to 2 years. There are a few factors that can indicate the length of CBD Oil’s shelf life.
Quality– By no surprise, higher-quality CBD oil tends to have a longer expiration date. This factor comes down to the quality of the plant it came from and from that plant’s growing conditions.
Extraction process– The CO2 extraction process is the most common and quality extraction process used. It not only maximizes the amount of CBD but also helps keep the compound stable.
Ingredients– The fewer the ingredients, the better. This being because every single ingredient added has its own shelf life. Less is sometimes more, so be sure to check out your product’s label and certificate of analysis sheet for ingredients and additives.
Packaging– Have you noticed that most CBD oil products come in dark-colored, thick, airtight bottles? These bottles limit the amount of exposure your CBD gets to air and sunlight, which can cause your CBD oil to age faster.
Storage– Heat, light, and oxygen have been found to degrade CBD oil quickly. Ideal storage conditions can aid in the CBD oil holding its potency and freshness for a longer period of time.
How to tell if CBD oil is expired.
Any premium CBD oil you purchase should have an expiration date on the bottle or label. However, expiration dates are not always an exact science. Different conditions such as the label could be damaged or missing, a misprint, etc. So here are a few different ways you should be able to tell if it has expired.
Smell– Fresh CBD oil should have an earthy smell, it should not be unpleasant in any way.
Thickness– If your CBD oil is thick, and you have not refrigerated it, there is a good chance it has expired.
Cloudy– If your CBD oil has a cloudy or milky tint in it, this is a sign of degradation, and it has most likely lost its potency.
Taste– Your CBD oil should have an earthy, nutty, or grassy taste. Any bitter, sour, or foul taste means you should discard your CBD oil and purchase a new bottle.
What happens if you use expired CBD oil?
Expired CBD oil will most likely not make you sick in any way, in fact, it will likely not do anything at all. When CBD expires this usually means it has degraded to the point it will have no effect on the endocannabinoid system whatsoever. You will not find the expired product to be of any use. It may have a foul smell or taste but the minimal amount you should be taking should not be enough to make you sick.
How long is CBD oil good for once it is opened?
Assuming you store your CBD properly, away from heat, light, and have the lid on tight, you can most generally store it for up to a year. This means after the CBD oil container is open, you have approximately 1 year to use the product. After a year the product may change color, consistency, and can develop an unpleasant taste and odor. You also have to keep in mind the additives in your CBD oil, that could possibly expire before the actual CBD itself expires. Most quality CBD oil only contains CBD itself, a carrier oil, and flavoring.
Does CBD degrade over time?
CBD oil can and will degrade over time- this means the CBD oil will become less potent.
Even if your CBD oil is not expired, but has been open for a long period of time, the CBD content is likely at a lower amount than it was when you first opened it. Research shows a 10 – 15% decrease in a product’s CBD levels over the course of 16 months. While this is considered only a moderate decrease, it can minimize the product’s ability to perform the way it should with the body’s endocannabinoid system.
Where should you store your CBD oil?
CBD oil is very sensitive to light, temperature, and air. This makes proper storage a very important factor in your CBD oil’s potency and shelf life. The best rule of thumb to use when storing your CBD oil is to treat it like any other oil you might keep in your pantry such as olive oil.
Good quality CBD oil is usually packaged in medical-grade, airtight, amber, or dark-colored glass containers. The darkness of the container protects the CBD from light exposure and also aids in the temperature control of the product. The air-tight container will reduce the amount of oxygen the CBD oil is exposed to, as well as lessen the risk of airborne pathogens and other potential contaminants getting in the container. All of these things can speed up the degrading process and expiration date.
Along with storing it in the proper container, here are some other tips that will help preserve your CBD oil’s potency, freshness, and expiration date.
- Keep the CBD oil in its original package to prevent any unnecessary exposure to air.
- Store your CBD oil at room temperature, which is typically around 60 to 70°F (16 to 21°C).
- Store the CBD oil in a dark place away from light, such as a pantry or cabinet.
- Keep CBD oil away from potential sources of excess heat or cold, like windows, heaters, air conditioners, and cooking stoves.
- Use the dropper to drop CBD oil onto a clean spoon every time you take it to avoid getting bacteria and other contaminants in the bottle.
- Always make sure to close the bottle tightly after using it to keep the air out.
Can you refrigerate CBD oil?
While it is not necessary to store your CBD oil in the fridge, if you buy in bulk this could be an option for you to extend the life of your CBD oil. You can also refrigerate your topical CBD and edible CBD to ensure freshness for a longer period of time.
Whether you should store CBD oil in your fridge or not, depends on several factors. This includes whether you have other adequate places to store it, how humid your climate is, how humid your fridge is, and the specific product at hand. Some companies recommend storing it in the fridge while others do not.
Depending on the composition of your CBD oil and what ingredients it’s made up of, it may be subject to decomposition at certain temperatures. To determine what temperature is best to store your CBD oil, check the ingredients to find out what carrier oil your product might include.
Two of the most common carrier oils in CBD are coconut oil (MCT oil) and hemp seed oil. Both of these carrier oils can become thickened while being refrigerated. This can make the oil harder to dispense.
In general, CBD oil will be perfectly fine in the refrigerator. It’s been noted that CBD oil thrives best in conditions under 70 degrees Fahrenheit, making the fridge an ideal spot.
How can you check your CBD oil expiration date?
Your bottle of CBD oil should have either a born-on date or an expiration date printed either on the bottom of the bottle or somewhere on the label. You should always purchase CBD oil from a reputable company that has its products tested by third-party labs. This ensures quality, potency, and levels of other additives in your CBD oil.
Don’t take any chances with Expired CBD oil.
If you’re looking at your CBD bottle and thinking “it’s probably still okay…”, it is probably time to toss it out and buy yourself a fresh new bottle. Even if there is very little chance that the expired product could make you sick, you do not want to waste your time on an expired product that is not going to give you the effects you are looking for, and could potentially leave a bad taste in your mouth.
You might even consider trying a new brand, graduating to a higher concentration, or even exploring a new product like CBD gummies or soft gels. The CBD market is expanding every day. There is an entire world of products that you have yet to explore. Nature’s Arc Organics carries a full line of products from oil, soft gels, gummies, topicals, we even carry CBD products for your pets!
The bottom line is -CBD oil does expire, but the typical shelf life should be plenty, even if you don’t take it regularly. Choosing a good quality product and storing it properly will help maintain its freshness and potency longer.
