Does CBD oil expire? When it comes to CBD shelf life, you may have some questions. Some of our most frequently asked questions are:
- Does CBD expire?
- Should you use expired CBD?
- How can you extend CBD shelf life?
- How to pick a CBD oil that will last longer?
We are here to help you learn about these topics, plus more!
CBD Expiration Dates, Does it expire?
This is our number one most frequently asked question. Yes! CBD oil will eventually run out of shelf life and expire. It is a general understanding that CBD has a shelf life of approximately 2 years from the time it was extracted from the hemp plant. However, this isn’t always the case with every situation. Making sure the CBD oil product has been formulated correctly is the key to its shelf life.
Does it expire? Yes, all CBD products have an expiration date or at least they should. Reputable CBD products have an expiration date printed on the label or somewhere on the container itself. Most CBD products that have an expiration date have been quality tested and evaluated to properly label the stability of the expiration date.
What are the key factors that will affect the shelf life of CBD?
The shelf life of CBD oil is extremely dependent on the extraction method used, what other ingredients are used in the product, and even how and where the product is stored.
Extraction Process
Nature’s Arc Organics CBD products are made using the CO2 extraction process. This process allows the CBD to remain as close to its original state as possible and aims to preserve the plant’s compounds. Other extraction methods can use heat and chemicals to extract the CBD. It is possible these other methods can cause the plant’s compounds to break down quicker, therefore make the shelf life of the CBD product shorter.
Ingredients
What is in CBD oil makes all the difference because every added ingredient has a shelf life of its own, plus each one can also affect how long the contents last. Other CBD oil ingredients may include other compounds, terpenes, carrier oils, and flavors. Many manufacturers often use a premium high-quality carrier oil such as MCT oil, olive oil, or grapeseed oil. These carrier oils can actually help extend the shelf life of the CBD product. Quality manufacturers will also use a flavoring ingredient with a shelf life that matches other ingredients, therefore not shortening the shelf life of the entire product.
Storage
How you store your CBD is very beneficial to its shelf life. Avoid exposing your CBD oil to sunlight. Most CBD oils are packaged in tincture bottles that are dark and opaque. This is done with intent. Exposing CBD oil to sunlight or UV rays can cause the CBD and other compounds to break down. More specifically UV light can break the chemical bonds that hold the atoms of CBD and other constituent compounds together.
Temperature
Last but not least, the temperature is a major factor in storing your CBD oil. Depending on the type of carrier oil used in your product, heat can also cause the compounds to break down. However, refrigerating CBD oil is ok. It can help extend the shelf life of the product and gives an added benefit to those consumers who like their CBD oil cold.
Overall the optimal temperature for storing CBD oil is 70 degrees. This means you can simply store your CBD in a cabinet at room temperature.
How to Tell if a CBD Product is Already Expired
When a product is expired, there are several ways to detect it with edible and non-edible CBD products. As cannabinoids start to break down over time, CBD products start to lose their taste and smell. If a topical product smells different or has no smell at all, it may no longer be useful.
With some products, you may be able to tell if they are expired by their appearance. Most CBD oil products are clear or yellow when they are potent, however, this will also depend on the type of carrier oil used. If the appearance of a substance’s normal color in a dropper becomes murky, the mixture may not be potent or has expired. This is true for both broad-spectrum and full-spectrum oils.
Contaminated CBD Products
Since CBD has natural antibacterial properties, bacterial contamination issues are not common. Most expired products will not make you ill if you take them. The only potential exception is if the mixture is stored or used improperly enough that it is contaminated. For example, if you remove the lid from a product and leave it off, it is vulnerable to contamination and degradation.
If you touch the dropper of an ingestible solution on a portion of perishable food or any part of your skin or mouth, there is a chance that you can contaminate the entire product if you place the dropper back in the bottle immediately after that. In this case, you should use soap and water to clean the dropper well, before you put it back in the bottle.
If a product has gone bad because of bacterial contamination, it will have an unpleasant smell. While the unpleasant smell is usually enough to make you not want to try it, the CBD product may also have a bitter and unpleasant taste. However, a bottle of CBD oil that is several months past its expiration date should not smell unpleasant or be contaminated if it is stored properly. The product should only be less potent.
Always discard any products that you suspect have been contaminated or are expired. If your CBD product has lost its taste or smell, you may still be able to use it. However, you might find yourself disappointed that it is not as effective as it once was. The best solution is to throw out the old product and buy a new CBD oil product with a long shelf life.
How to Pick a CBD oil that will last.
Nature’s Arc Organics is conscientious about quality in every step of the process. From the farm to the bottle, our manufacturing is carefully analyzed to ensure the highest quality standards. Our products are made from USA-grown hemp and manufactured in FDA-approved facilities. Our CBD products are made using CO2 extraction and are some of the highest quality products because there are no additional chemicals used.
Whether you choose CBD oils or edibles, it is highly important to source high-quality CBD products. The CBD space is an unregulated industry. As a result, the standards of CBD manufacturers can vary greatly. Some manufacturers conform to strict quality control standards. Others, however, will include a minimal amount of ingredients in their products to save on costs.
Third-Party Testing
Third-Party Testing is also a helpful tool in determining “does CBD oil expire”. Requesting third-party lab results will ensure you the quality of a CBD product and should verify the shelf life and stability of the product you are interested in. Plus It’s always a good idea to work with a company that tests its products. By doing so, you know that you’re working with a CBD supplier that goes the extra mile to provide top-notch products.
Always check to see if there is an expiration date on the bottle or label. Fresher products will have a shelf life lasting around 2 years.
Closing Takeaway on Expiring CBD
So, Does CBD oil expire? Most CBD oils will in fact have a “Best By” or “Use by” date that can be referred to as an expiration date. This expiration date should be around two years from the date of extraction if the product is properly stored. You will want to keep your CBD products as close to their original state as possible to ensure CBD oil quality. It is best to store your favorite Nature’s Arc Organics products in the cabinet, away from light and heat sources, or in the back of a drawer to keep it at its optimal efficacy for as long as possible. Buying high-quality lab-tested CBD is always a plus when searching for CBD that has a good shelf life. The stability of the product is of utmost importance.
