Does CBD Oil Expire?
It’s always important to know the expiration date of any product, especially food and medications. Understanding the expiration terms of any product will let you know how long your food or medicine is good. Knowing these things will prevent you from putting your health at risk due to consuming expired products. Like many natural products, CBD oil does have an expiration date. This article covers the expiration of CBD, its shelf life, and what we can do to extend its shelf life.
What Is the Shelf Life of CBD Oil?
The shelf life of CBD typically ranges from 1 to 2 years. But how long CBD lasts depends on factors like the quality of hemp, ingredients, type of CBD, and how you store it.
Knowing the quality of your CBD is needed when choosing your product because the higher the quality of your product is, the longer it will last. Some studies have suggested that high-quality products usually come from organic hemp as they don’t contain pesticides and heavy metals. Additionally, the type of CBD in your CBD product also affects its shelf life. Full-spectrum CBD oil has the least processed form of CBD, but they contain other botanical ingredients (oils and plant waxes) and may result in shorter shelf life.
Broad-spectrum products may degrade faster but the lack of THC won’t affect the expiration of your product. However, CBD isolates may last longer as they only contain pure CBD and no other compounds. Another important factor to consider is the extraction method used to get CBD. The carbon dioxide method or CO2 extraction is the gold standard as it maximizes the level of CBD.
Understanding these factors will help you know what products will last longer.
What If the CBD Oil has Changed Colour?
CBD sometimes changes colours, resulting in the oil turning black or pink. These colour changes are due to the chemical reactions when plant compounds get exposed to direct heat and light, as well as air exposure. But you don’t have to worry as these are common.
CBD oils can come in different colours and consistencies: brown, pink, gold, clear, and black. Each of these colours indicates a unique spectrum of hemp compounds which influences the oil’s colour. Regardless of the colour changes of your CBD oil, as long as the CBD oil is not exposed to excessive heat or direct sunlight, your product will still have a shelf life of 1 to 2 years.
Will Any Formulas Be More Likely To Expire Quickly?
Your CBD product’s formula is also one of the factors that can affect the longevity of your CBD oil. This means that the type of CBD product is not the only thing you should consider when buying CBD oil as every ingredient doesn’t come from hemp. This includes flavourings and carrier oils.
Every ingredient has a shelf life of its own and can influence how long your product is going to last. Always read your product’s level to know the ingredients it contains and long before your products expire.
How to store CBD products correctly
CBD oil is sensitive to changes in light, temperature, and oxygen so it’s important to properly store your oil if you want to preserve its freshness and potency. When it comes to storing CBD oil, treat it the way you would treat your other oils like olive oil, coconut oil and cooking oil. This means that you must protect it from direct light and intense heat.
CBD oils should be stored in dark air-tight containers as these will surely protect them from sunlight and air exposure. This is because dark glasses reduce light exposure and help control their temperature. However, it’s best if you can still keep your product in its original bottle. Remember to keep your CBD oil at room temperature, typically around 16 to 21C. Additionally, always make sure to use a clean dropper or spoon every time you take CBD oil to avoid getting contaminants in the bottle and make sure to close the bottle properly.
Are There Any Expectations To These Storage Protocols?
Storing your CBD at room temperature is usually sufficient to keep the shelf life of your CBD product. But if you’re living in a hot country with tropical weather like the Philippines, it’s best if you keep your CBD oil in airtight containers inside the refrigerator to minimize the product’s exposure to heat.
What Happens if You Take Expired CBD Oil?
Expired CBD can make you sick but some studies suggest that it doesn’t happen all the time. It likely won’t do much of anything. This is because cannabinoids from the cannabis plant may lose potency over time especially when exposed to environmental factors such as heat, light, and air.
Always check the product label to know its expiration date, but if you’re unsure, check whether the oil has changed in taste, smell, and texture. The taste of CBD oil may taste much worse than the normal earthy taste of hemp. Similarly, the smell of CBD would smell really bad and the oil would look somewhat murky. If this happens, it’s best to throw it away, purchase a new CBD oil, and follow our proper storage advice.
