Beginner’s 101

How to store CBD Oil

When it comes to getting the best out of your CBD oil, how you store and take care of your products can make all the difference in how long your CBD lasts. If you’re an avid CBD fan, your product probably won’t make it to its expiration date. Whether you’re a bulk buyer, regular user, or casual partaker in CBD we have pulled together some tips on how to store and maintain your CBD for longer. 

You may be wondering, does CBD have a shelf life? and the answer is, YES. All good things must come to an end and that includes your CBD. Most high-quality CBD oils are made from hemp plant extracts that contain natural plant material that will expire and turn rancid at some point. However, this doesn’t mean your CBD oil will go bad quickly.

So, how long does CBD oil last for?

The shelf life of most CBD products is 1-2 years depending on what your CBD oils made from. The freshness of your CBD oil depends on a number of factors including its packaging, where it’s stored, how it’s made, and what your oil contains. 

Does full spectrum CBD expire faster than CBD oil made from isolate? 

Full-spectrum CBD oils contain other natural hemp plant ingredients, therefore they are prone to expire quicker than oils that are made from CBD isolate and a carrier oil.

This isn’t to say that full-spectrum oil is worse than CBD oil made from isolate because it has a short expiration period. Why does full-spectrum go out of date quicker? The shorter expiration date of full-spectrum oil is due to its natural plant ingredients.

Isolate CBD oil is made from a pure powdered form of isolated CBD, which is then added to a carrier oil. The extraction process of making this type of  CBD removes all of the natural plant material and just leaves the CBD compound. 

Want to know the difference between full-spectrum vs CBD isolate? We also have a complete comparison guide. 

In order to answer your questions on how to keep your CBD oil fresh, we’ve rounded up 5 top facts you need to know about the shelf of CBD oil. 

5 fact you need to know about CBD expiration 

1 CBD oil breaks down in the air and direct sunlight

Most CBD oil products come in blue glass packaging, to reduce exposure to excess light and sunlight. This type of packaging helps to preserve the shelf life of products that are sensitive to light.

In addition to the right packaging, CBD products should be stored away from direct light, sunlight, and heat to ensure your product doesn’t lose its potency. Storing your CBD oil in your medicine cabinet or alongside your other cosmetics in a cupboard will ensure your CBD lasts longer.

As well as away from light and heat CBD oil needs to be stored in a dry place that is not exposed to the air. This applies to all CBD products including capsules and isolates. An airtight container ensures the product doesn’t quickly oxidize or introduce moisture that can breed bacteria and ruin your product. Overexposure can lead to a shorter shelf life.

2 CBD can be stored in the fridge to keep it fresh 

CBD oil can be stored in the fridge to maintain the freshness of the product. This is especially useful if you live in a hot climate where keeping CBD oil in a cool dry place and out of direct sunlight is difficult. Depending on which carrier oil your CBD oil is mixed with you will find that the viscosity of the oil will be affected and may appear thicker, but this is normal at colder temperatures.  

3 Manufacturing methods effect expiration

Laboratory standards and extraction methods can affect the shelf life of CBD. Manufacturers that carry GMP certification produce products under strict pharmaceutical control. Which requires them to adhere to strict manufacturing requirements.

During the production process, raw hemp plant material can be exposed to external contamination and grow mold or fungus, if they are not stored correctly.

The supercritical CO2 extraction method, produces the highest quality extracts, by only using clean CO2 to remove CBD from the raw plant material without the use of solvents or chemicals. 3rd party testing further reduces the risk of contaminants by checking for chemical residues and molds.

4 CBD oil potency can change over time 

Typically the expiration date on your bottle of CBD oil is there as a guide to indicate when your product is past its prime. Over time CBD oil will lose its potency, depending on the way your CBD oil has been stored the compounds found within the oil can convert into other compounds and cannabinoid potency can be diminished. The potency of the original product can be altered if stored poorly in heat, direct sunlight or after a long period of time.  

5 Poor hygiene can make CBD oil expire quicker

While using CBD oil for your pets, during cooking, or even putting it under your tongue. If the oil dropper touches your mouth or the food and you put it back in the bottle you run the risk of introducing external contaminants and bacteria into your bottle. Food particles and saliva can breed bacteria and make your CBD products deteriorate faster. 

How to tell if your CBD oil has gone bad 

If you buy your CBD in bulk you may need to keep an eye on the expiration date to make sure you’re not taking CBD that has gone bad. Here are a few ways to tell if your CBD is still fresh. 

• Check the expiration date on the packaging 
• Check the smell and color
• Look out for a change in oil consistency

In conclusion 

Whether you’re using natural CBD oil products that are full-spectrum or Isolate CBD oil. Practicing good hygiene and care when using and storing your products will help maintain the shelf life of your products. Ensuring you get the very best out of your products.