There’s a lot of buzz around CBD oil as a supplement for different health problems. But, where there’s a buzz, there are questions.
Does CBD oil have an expiration date? And if so, how long does CBD oil last?
How can I tell if my CBD oil has already expired?
How can I make my CBD oil last longer?
The use of Cannabidiol (CBD) has become more popular, but it’s still unregulated in many areas. CBD oil is a relatively new product, and most people don’t know how to figure out whether it has expired.
This blog will look at how long CBD oil lasts, the different factors that affect its shelf life, and how to prevent it from expiring fast.
Does CBD Oil Expire?
Yes, CBD oil expires over time, but it can last longer if handled properly. High-quality CBD oil is also expected to have a longer shelf life.
There are several factors that contribute to the shelf life of CBD oils. One of them is the quality of the extraction process and technique used in making it.
Another factor is how you store your CBD oils after purchase to maintain their quality and potency without causing damage to their molecules and compounds over time.
For How Long Is CBD Oil Good To Use?
If you buy your CBD oil from a reputable company that has been in business for a few years, you can be confident that the product has been handled with care from the time it was extracted from the hemp plant — to the moment it was placed in the bottle.
That said, CBD oil’s shelf life can range from 12 to 24 months. But it may actually expire faster if it’s stored in the wrong manner. This means that the quality and potency of CBD oil diminish over time. The degradation is due to oxidation, which happens when oils are exposed to air, light, or heat.
You should not consume CBD oil after its expiration date. It’s common to see an expiration date on the product label. This date should be the day the bottle was filled with the product. For example, if your product label reads “bottled on March 1, 2019”, it would be wise to consume your CBD oil before March 1, 2020.
If this date has passed, chances are the CBD has degraded over time. The CBD molecules will have broken down, changing the makeup of the CBD. This will result in a decrease in its effectiveness.
If you don’t see an expiration date on the bottle, consult the manufacturer or stop buying their products altogether.
How To Know if Your CBD Oil Has Gone Bad
Is your CBD oil going bad? A few things could indicate that your CBD is not as good as it used to be. Here are some of the signs that will tell you when it’s time to replace your CBD.
It Smells Funny
The biggest sign of bad CBD oil is the smell. If your CBD oil smells funky, then it may have gone bad. CBD oil should smell earthy and not unpleasant.
You might be thinking, “Well, that’s not a problem. I can handle the smell.” Not so fast. Your CBD oil is likely no longer potent and will not have the desired effect.
It Tastes Awful
CBD oil has a terrible taste if it’s already expired. Not to be confused with its usual earthy or grassy tastes, as regular CBD oil is often described.
Its Color and Texture Have Changed
If your CBD oil looks thick and murky, it’s an indicator that it is degrading.
What if my CBD oil looks cloudy? Is it already expired?
Cloudiness can be fixed by taking the oil out of the refrigerator and letting it warm up to room temperature.
Can Old CBD Make You Sick?
If you dared to use old CBD for some reason, can it make you sick?
The answer is no. It’s unlikely that expired CBD oil will do you any harm.
But take note that cannabinoids degrade over time and lose their potency. It may not get you sick, but you cannot get the full benefits of CBD oil if you use it after it has expired.
If the expiration date has passed, manufacturer guidelines state that the product should no longer be used. To be safe, discard CBD oils past their expiration dates.
Factors That Determine Your CBD’s Expiration Date
What are the factors that determine the shelf life of CBD oil? Here are the most common:
The Source of CBD Oil
Your CBD oil’s shelf life is influenced by where you purchased it.
Does an independent lab test the vendor’s products to ensure their quality?
Do they have certification of analysis (COA)?
How are they packaging and storing their CBD products?
Buy CBD oil from a reputable shop that you can trust. If you order online, check their customers’ feedback, both good and bad. Do your research and ensure the product is legit.
If you want to get the most out of your CBD oil, it’s essential to find a reputable vendor like Royal CBD.
The Quality of Hemp
Low-quality hemp quality can degrade faster than high-quality plants, which affects CBD oil’s shelf life. When choosing a CBD company to buy from, you should choose one that uses high-quality hemp and has a long history of manufacturing.
To be considered high-quality, a CBD company should use organic farming practices and plant their crops in clean, fertile soil. This ensures that the product is free of pesticides, heavy metals, and other toxins commonly found in low-tier cannabis products.
Extraction Method
Your CBD’s extraction process is very important. It determines the purity of the product, and the purity of the product determines shelf life.
CO2 extraction is one of the preferred methods of making CBD oil. It removes trace amounts of chlorophyll and other plant matter that cause natural degradation. This method helps your CBD oil last longer by removing these impurities and leaving behind the pure, unadulterated CBD.
Additional Ingredients
The ingredients added to CBD can affect the product’s quality, such as the carrier oil and flavoring. Each ingredient has its own shelf life and can impact how long your CBD oil lasts.
Packaging
The right packaging can help you preserve your CBD oil much longer. Airtight dark bottles help protect the product from light and air, so your CBD oil will be preserved and lasts much longer.
How To Store CBD the Right Way
You need to take precautions when storing your CBD oil so that it doesn’t go bad.
Both sunlight and air contribute to oxidation. When exposed to oxygen and sunlight, the cannabinoids in your CBD oil will degrade and oxidize over time.
The main thing to remember when storing your CBD oil bottle is to keep it out of direct sunlight and always keep it in a cool, dry place. You should also make sure the cap is tight so no moisture enters the bottle.
How To Make Your CBD Last Longer
Aside from storing your CBD oil properly, these tips can also help you extend its shelf life:
Make Sure the CBD Oil Bottle Is Always Upright
If you usually store your liquor sideways, do not do this with your CBD oil.
The best way to preserve CBD is to keep the oil away from the air. If you keep the bottle horizontal, there is greater contact with the air inside the bottle.
Clean Your Dropper After Every Use
When you take CBD oil, you do it through a dropper. You should clean it before putting it back in the bottle. If you’re like most people, you probably don’t give it much thought.
By keeping your dropper clean, you’re going to make sure that the oil does not get contaminated.
The best way to clean the dropper is to run it under warm water. If you want to remove the oil from the dropper, you can use olive oil or vegetable oil. After cleaning the dropper, don’t forget to dry it off.
Keep the Bottle Tightly Closed
When you seal the bottle properly, air molecules can’t get inside. By doing so, the CBD is protected from oxidation.
Left open or improperly closed, the CBD oil inside may also evaporate and could become less concentrated.
Conclusion
In general, CBD oil lasts for about one or two years. There are many factors that influence its longevity.
High-quality CBD products have longer shelf life than CBDs extracted from inferior plants, which may have also been harvested using substandard equipment. Of the different extraction methods, CO2 extraction produces CBDs that don’t expire fast since they are purer and more chemically stable.
There are a few different ways you can make your CBD oil last longer. Storing your CBD products in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, helps them last longer. If your product is exposed to too much heat, humidity, or sunlight, it will break down much faster.
Do you have other tips on how to make CBD oils last longer? We would love to learn from you. Tell us about them in the comments section.
