If you’ve purchased CBD oil in the past, you have probably asked yourself this question, does this bottle of CBD oil have an expiration date? While the short answer is yes, we will cover this topic extensively because so many factors will determine the shelf life of CBD products. More importantly, does it become less effective over time? How long does that bottle of CBD oil last before you shouldn’t consume it anymore? Does it matter if it’s tincture or capsules, or CBD edibles? In this blog, we will talk about these topics –
Exploring the shelf life of CBD
Quality
Carrier oil
Packaging
How to properly store CBD Oil
Good CBD hygiene
Should you refrigerate CBD Oil
CBD oil vs. CBD edibles: which lasts longer
What do I do with old oil?
Exploring the Shelf Life of CBD
The shelf life of CBD depends on a variety of factors. Assume we are talking about CBD oil; how long it lasts is determined by the quality of the ingredients, what carrier oil it is dissolved in, how it’s packaged, how you store the product, and ingestion hygiene.
Quality
Quality doesn’t just determine the effectiveness of the product. It also greatly affects the shelf life. The quality of the hemp from which cannabinoids are derived and the extraction process can both have a significant impact on the shelf life of the product. A quality product calls for quality ingredients. Hemp extract from select genetics grown in organic soil and extracted using state-of-the-art CO2 methods will have a longer shelf life. Alternatively CBD oil extracted from industrial hemp grown in poor conditions will have a shorter shelf life.
Carrier Oil
How long does CBD last? The answer greatly depends on the carrier oil. Raw hemp CBD extract has a sticky, gooey, or waxy consistency, almost like thick honey. You cannot take it straight with a dropper. Almost all CBD products are made with a diluted version. CBD companies will choose their own dilution method. This is where carrier oil comes in. A carrier oil and raw hemp extract will create a consistency that allows you to take the desired dosage using a dropper. There are so many different carrier oils to choose from. Why did we choose Hemp and Olive oil? The answer is simple, to create a high-quality CBD oil. Our organic CBD oil is made with organic hemp extract, organic hemp oil, and organic olive oil.
Organic Hemp Seed Oil: cold-pressed from hemp plant seeds, this oil has numerous health benefits. It has the golden ratio of 3:1 of mega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids, and it’s known to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. The hemp plant is considered hyper-accumulative, which means it absorbs toxins from the soil it’s grown in. This is why we only source organic hemp oil and hemp extract from farms in the US. It is unfiltered and contains all of its raw and natural healing power. Most companies do not like to work with organic hemp oil because its shelf life tends to be shorter than, MCT oil. The shelf life of hemp is typically 12 months, depending on the other factors we will talk about below.
Organic Olive Oil: It is naturally rich in healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants and has strong anti-inflammatory properties. Ours is organic extra-virgin olive oil, one of the two main carrier oils for our CBD products. The main anti-inflammatory effects are mediated by anti-oxidants. The key among them is oleocanthal, which has been shown to work similarly to ibuprofen. Depending on the way it is stored, the typical shelf life of olive oil is 12 months.
MCT coconut oil: MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides. It is a highly refined and more stable form of coconut oil or palm oil. Since palm oil is one of the world’s leading causes of deforestation, we do not source or use MCT oil in our products. In addition, it is more stable at room temperature. Many companies use this to ensure a longer shelf life of their products.
Essential oils: we choose organic lemon essential oil for its vibrant taste and its antioxidant properties. Since we choose carrier oils that are organic, unfiltered and have more available nutrients, an anti-oxidant will help extend its shelf life.
Packaging
Packaging is another important factor that determines the shelf life of CBD. CBD oil stored in dark amber or blue dropper bottles lasts longer. However, we go one step beyond and only use opaque white and black bottles that completely block natural light or heat. This is because exposure to heat, light, and air will break down cannabinoids and make the carrier oil go rancid. Therefore packaging really does matter and plays an integral role in the shelf life of your CBD.
How to Properly Store Your CBD Oil
Since exposure to heat, light, and air greatly shortens the shelf life of CBD oil, proper storage is essential. The best way to store is to avoid these elements as much as possible. To ensure long shelf life, store CBD oil products out of direct sunlight in a cool and dry place. The best place is in your medicine cabinet. Please keep in mind –
Don’t keep it near the stove, range, or oven, as that could heat up the oil around it
Avoid putting it on the window sill or area where the sun can reach it
Avoid leaving it in your car as the sun can heat up the car
to avoid air exposure, always screw the dropper top tight after use
Good CBD hygiene
If you are taking a full dropper and administering CBD sublingually, be careful not to contaminate the dropper by touching it to your mouth or tongue. You can transfer bacteria back to the bottle through saliva. This is especially important if your CBD oil is not entirely oil-based since anything containing water will allow bacteria to proliferate. It is still a good habit to not let it touch your mouth, even with our CBD oil, since it’s an all oil-based product.
Should you refrigerate CBD oil?
Raw hemp extract by itself does not need to be refrigerated to maintain freshness. In fact, we do not recommend refrigerating our oil because unfiltered raw hemp oil tends to solidify below 57 degrees. Likewise, most CBD edibles and CBD gummies do not require refrigeration, neither do CBD topicals or CBD capsules.
When stored properly, what is the shelf life of CBD oil?
If you have done your research and bought a good quality CBD oil from a reputable company, adhered to the property storage method, the shelf life of your CBD products should be between 1-2 years. If kept in the dark and at room temperature, your oil might even last longer.
CBD oil vs. CBD edibles, which last longer?
Choosing the right method of consumption is a personal one. Although its shelf life isn’t at the top of the decision-making process, you might wonder if CBD edibles would last longer than CBD oil. Depending on the use of CBD, an oil tincture might be more suitable than edibles. This is because of bioavailability. Any CBD product that is eaten or drank must pass through the digestive system and liver. This process has significant waste, which is why only 4-20% of the cannabinoids are available for use. You might consider upping the CBD dosage if you are choosing an edible. Even though larger doses are needed, it is still a desirable method since its convenient.
The shelf life of CBD oil vs. CBD edibles should last about the same if you adhere to the proper storage method.
If you’ve purchased the 9000mg Broad Spectrum Hemp Extract to take advantage of bulk pricing and looking to keep it for a long time, keep it refrigerated.
What do I do with an old CBD oil?
If you’ve let your CBD oil go past its prime, don’t pour it down the drain! If it’s only been a short amount of time past the expiration date, the good news is there are still cannabinoids in the bottle. The carrier oil might have gone rancid and may not taste great, but you can still use it in a bath and allow your skin to absorb the cannabinoids.
Final thought: How long does CBD last?
If you take good care of the CBD products, it should last at least one year after purchase. Since most CBD products are dosed to last one to two month, you shouldn’t worry about taking a CBD oil that has expired.
10 years ago, while pregnant with my daughter Olivia, I discovered she has Turner Syndrome, a rare genetic condition. Concerned about harmful chemicals in skincare, I created my own line with over 75 botanical ingredients, specializing in hemp. CBD oil became a bestseller. I strive for healing products of the highest quality, conducting thorough testing and research.
Join me in improving your skincare routine and embracing a healthier, happier lifestyle. Rest assured, your skin gets the best of the best.
