CBD oils have become increasingly popular, and their use continues to rise. However, many are unsure if CBD oil expires and how to tell if it has gone bad. This article will answer these questions to help you stay safe.
Can CBD oil expire?
Like many other health-related products, CBD oil has a predetermined shelf life. Paying attention to the expiration date can ensure your CBD oil is effective and safe for use.
What affects the shelf life of CBD oil?
- Ingredients. Adding certain ingredients determines the expiration date of CBD oil. If the CBD oil contains additional vitamins, each has an expiration date. However, most vitamins will retain their potency for 1–2 years, after which they lose their potency over time, but they do not become dangerous or toxic.
- Herbal additives, melatonin, and flavorings. Luckily, these are often good for longer than the actual CBD oil and do not affect the estimated shelf life of the CBD oil. In addition, natural flavorings do not expire like their chemical counterparts, making them preferable.
- Quality. The CBD market is not regulated by the FDA, and many lower-quality products exist on the market. These inferior products can have significantly shorter shelf lives that impact the effectiveness of CBD oil. When deciding on a CBD product, choose well-known manufacturers with excellent reviews.
- Storage. Extreme temperatures and light can promote the degradation of CBD, reducing its potency and effectiveness. Storing the product in a dark area kept at room temperature helps extend the product's shelf life.
- Type of CBD oil. The purer the CBD oil, the longer its estimated shelf life. CBD isolates typically last the longest. Products marketed as whole-plant, full-spectrum, and broad-spectrum retain more plant materials or compounds with a shorter expiration date.
- Extraction method. Carbon dioxide extraction methods produce a purer form of CBD and are associated with a longer shelf life. However, this extraction method requires expensive equipment, so many manufacturers use ethanol extraction. This method retains many plant components found in hemp, leading to a shorter shelf life.
When does CBD oil expire?
Many variables determine CBD oil's shelf life, but typically they are good for 1–2 years. To ensure yours lasts this long, storing the oil properly and not touching the dropper to your mouth when administering doses is important. This can introduce bacteria into the bottle and have a negative effect on its shelf life.
Can you consume expired CBD oil?
Expired CBD oil will not cause any adverse effects if consumed. However, due to the breakdown of the natural cannabinoids, they will lose potency. Typically, CBD oil will not be as effective in treating your conditions, and the health benefits will decline. It is recommended to purchase a fresh bottle if you have concerns.
How to tell if your CBD oil has gone bad?
You can tell if your CBD oil has expired by evaluating the following:
- Smell. Depending on the CBD oil you purchase, the scent can differ. A raw extract can have an 'earthy' odor, and distilled oils have a more refined smell. A change in the smell from when you first open the original bottle can indicate the CBD oil has gone bad.
- Taste. Similar to the smell, if your CBD oil's taste changes, this could also indicate the oil is past its time. However, make sure to shake the CBD oil well, as some ingredients will separate while the CBD oil sits on the shelf, which could cause a change of taste. This does not mean the CBD oil has gone bad, but rather, it needs to be shaken prior to use.
- Color. Fatty acids within the oil can oxidize over time, rendering them inactive. In addition, the oxidized fatty acids can result in the CBD oil changing color. This is often seen as a darkening or a more cloudy or murky appearance than when the bottle was first opened.
- Consistency. CBD oil can change in consistency over time, especially when refrigerated. Refrigerated CBD oil may be thicker initially, but it should return to its normal consistency as it warms. Additionally, CBD can crystallize within the oil; however, this should dissolve as the oil returns to normal temperature. If neither reverses upon warming, the CBD oil may expire.
How to store CBD oil correctly
CBD oils are vulnerable to extreme temperatures, sunlight, and air. These three elements can result in CBD oil breaking down and becoming less effective in a shorter time after they are manufactured. To properly store CBD oils, you must protect them from these three variables.
High temperatures have been shown to accelerate the degradation of CBD oils, rendering them ineffective over time. Ideally, CBD oils should be stored at room temperature. If this is not possible, keep the oil in the refrigerator to ensure it retains potency over time. Also, some manufacturers recommend refrigerating their CBD products, so check with the maker to see the best storage options.
Direct and indirect sunlight can cause damage to the fatty acids within the CBD oil and warm the oil, increasing the breakdown of the oil components. It is important to store CBD oil in a dark place. Many manufacturers package the oil in dark-colored opaque bottles to prevent the effects of sunlight. Occasionally, a bottle may be labeled as UV-protected glass, which provides superior protection.
The oxygen in normal air can enhance the oxidation of fatty acids and decrease CBD potency over time. Storing CBD oil in an airtight container is important. In addition, always make sure the cap has been securely tightened after each use to prevent any additional air exposure.
Because this can not be emphasized enough, CBD oils should be stored in darker-colored, opaque, airtight containers in a dark area/room no greater than room temperature (approximately 23°C/73°F).
FAQ
Can CBD oil really expire?
Yes. Over time, CBD oils will break down, lose their potency, and become less effective. They are typically good for 1–2 years, depending on the ingredients, quality, storage, type of CBD oil, and extraction method. To ensure the longest shelf life, store the CBD oil in a dark place at room temperature in a dark, opaque, and airtight container.
Should CBD oil be refrigerated?
Most CBD oils do not need to be refrigerated, as long as you store them at room temperature (less than 23°C/ 73°F). However, some manufacturers recommend refrigerating their products, so check for proper storage recommendations.
Can you use expired CBD oil on the skin?
Technically yes, since expired CBD oil does not become toxic or harmful, but it may not be as effective due to a loss in potency. Although it may not cause any harm to place expired CBD oil on the skin, it may not produce any benefits.
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Over time, CBD oil can lose its potency, which reduces its effectiveness and renders it expired.
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CBD oils have an estimated shelf life of 1–2 years, but this can be shortened by exposure to extreme temperatures, sunlight, and oxygen.
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Changes in taste, color, consistency, and smell indicate CBD oil is past its expiration date.
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Expired CBD oil is not toxic or harmful, but to ensure optimal efficacy, it should be stored in an opaque, airtight container at room temperature in a dark area.
2 resources
- Scientific Reports. Quantification of the content of cannabidiol in commercially available e-liquids and studies on their thermal and photo-stability.
- Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. Kinetics of CBD, Δ9-THC Degradation and Cannabinol Formation in Cannabis Resin at Various Temperature and pH Conditions.
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