Every medicine, supplement, and even the food we stock in our pantry will have a shelf life. The shelf life of any consumable product is the amount of time that item is fit to be consumed or at the very least, will still deliver the manufacturer's stated benefits. Canned products and dehydrated grains have the longest shelf life of any other consumables because of one of two reasons. The product has no exposure to air, or there is extremely low water content. Both moisture and air can accelerate the deterioration process of products meant for ingestion.
So, if you have a stash of quality cannabidiol oils and want to know "Does CBD oil expire?" - well, the answer is - yes, but it depends on many factors. You would need to consider the quality of the original product, where and how long it has been stored before purchased, and if the product has an airtight seal.
Don't toss out good CBD oil before you continue reading to discover what is CBD shelf life, how you can extend its freshness with good storage, and how to tell if your CBD oil has gone bad due to an extended time period or storage problems such as:
- Temperature extremes
- High humidity
- Sunlight exposure
- Open container
- Poor quality product
A Look at CBD Shelf Life
Instead of asking "Does CBD expire?", a better question is "How fast does CBD expire?" All consumable products will eventually lose their physical and nutritional qualities, but you don't have to worry about old CBD oil making you sick, turning rancid, or spoiling. When it comes to the shelf life of your CBD oil, what you do have to be concerned about is your CBD oil breaking down due to the natural process of oxidation. Eventually, you'll notice the difference in your stored products where they are not as fresh and the amount of oil will be reduced because the contents will have evaporated.
The shelf life is basically the length of time the consumer can store it, either open or closed before it is determined to be unfit for consumption or other good use. Expect your CBD oil to be in good condition between 1 and 2 years of proper storage. Why the time wide span? Because again it depends on the manufacturer's extraction methods, packaging, and storage time before being placed on the market.
If manufacturers limit the number of added ingredients and use high-quality processes in manufacturing, along with airtight packaging and dry, temperature-controlled storage, then CBD oil can be delivered to the consumer in top condition with a shelf life of up to 24 months. If not, expect a shorter shelf life for the consumer and a bad reputation for a stale batch of CBD oil for the manufacturer.
Determining if your CBD Oil has expired
The first and most obvious way to determine if your CBD oil has expired is to look at the container to see if it has a 'best if used by' date, an expiration date, or a batch number that can be traced to available laboratory documentation. But aside from this, you should always choose a CBD product that is manufactured by a brand that is legitimate, transparent, and uses a broad or full spectrum extract process. This means the product is full of therapeutic, concentrated cannabinoids instead of an excess of waxes, fats, and lipids which can make the product spoil much faster.
It pays to stick with one brand of quality CBD oil because you become familiar with the physical and mental benefits of your preferred brand. These include better sleep, a greater ability to relax, and pain relief. When you notice you're no longer receiving those therapeutic benefits with the same dosing, then maybe you should check the expiration date. Other ways to determine if your CBD oil is still fresh requires you to take a subjective inspection of taste, looks, and smells:
- CBD oil that has expired will lose its clarity and look cloudy or fogged
- Expired CBD oil will taste and smell unpleasant
- Significant changes in texture and/or color
- Products sold at an extremely low price
Make sure you follow all the manufacturer's instructions for handling and storage to get the best amount of shelf life or freshness from your CBD oil products.
Extending CBD oil shelf life
Since all CBD oils are not created equal, you may find it best to take some simple steps to slow down the degradation process and ensure the freshness of your CBD products. This way, you gain the most benefit and the longest life-cycle from your investment. As mentioned before, manufacturers use different processes and add different additives to make a CBD oil that is stable and has a good shelf life.
For this reason, the best way to extend the shelf life of your CBD oil is to follow any manufacturer's instructions or guidance concerning storage and usage. But, no matter where your products, here are some good tips on how to keep your CBD oil fresher for a longer time.
- Limit exposure to sunlight and heat by storing in a cool dark place.
- Avoid storing CBD oil in warm places above 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Avoid extremely cold temperatures to reduce chances of solidification.
- Store in a darkened area or container to reduce any loss of potency.
- Do not leave open or exposed to air for too long.
- Follow similar storage as for coconut oil or olive oil.
When you start with a quality CBD oil product from a reputable manufacturer, you can expect to get a full 12 to 24 months of usage depending on how you store and care for your products. We suggest you shop a wide variety of CBD products in a variety of flavors and CBD oil concentrations. For most consumers, the benefits of CBD oil are so great that they use the product completely before nearing the expiration date.
But, if you find an old bottle of CBD oil laying around, now you know how to inspect if for quality by taste, looks, and smell.