If you use CBD oil as a part of your wellness routine, it can’t last forever, just like any supplement. As time goes on, the quality and performance of your CBD oil and other products can be compromised. The longevity of your CBD oil and CBD products will vary depending on how you use it and how well you store it.
For those who don’t use their CBD regularly, you may be wondering, “does CBD oil expire?” Generally speaking, the shelf life of CBD oil is around two years, but that amount of time isn’t guaranteed across every product. If you have any CBD products for longer than two years, the chances are that they won’t work as well, or at all, after the two-year point. However, we must note that the two-year shelf life applies to CBD products that have been stored in the right conditions and used correctly.
Does CBD Oil Go Bad?
Like most products, CBD oils and other products can expire, and this is usually due to a few different factors, such as:
- The amount of time you keep your CBD
- How you use your CBD
- The way you store your CBD
How you use and store your CBD oil can affect how long it can last, as they can determine whether bacteria can get into the bottle and sunlight can affect the oil itself.
If left for over two years or exposed to too much sunlight, the cannabinoids can break down and can compromise the CBD oil’s potency. This would mean that the CBD has expired, as it wouldn’t be to deliver the effects that CBD can deliver.
How Long Does a Bottle of CBD Oil Last?
If you’re using your CBD regularly, you’ll most likely finish it in a matter of weeks or months, which is well before the estimated two-year shelf life of the product. In this case, you don’t need to worry too much about whether your CBD will go bad, because as long as you store and use it correctly, you’ll be on to a fresh bottle long before it expires.
If you use your CBD oil less regularly and at larger intervals, then it can last months and even up to a year, making it even more important to take proper care of it.
What about other CBD Products?
CBD kept in optimal condition would take around two years to “go bad,” which is usually the case with most CBD products, from tinctures and capsules to topicals and skin care products. When using other CBD products, we need to consider the same factors of use and storage for how long they will last. In addition, the product’s formulation may affect the typical shelf life.
How to Maintain the Shelf Life of CBD Oil and other CBD Products
As we’ve covered already, the ways in which you use and store your CBD products will have the greatest impact on their longevity, so let’s look at some of the ways we can keep our CBD products in top shape.
Follow the Instructions
It may seem obvious, but the instructions included either on your CBD product, in the box or on our website will tell you how to best take care of your CBD. It’s easy to assume that you know how to use your CBD products, but there may be particular points that you haven’t considered that will be included in the information you receive with your products.
The most important storage tips for maintaining CBD oil’s shelf life are keeping your CBD oil away from two things: sunlight and oxygen.
Reduce Exposure to Sunlight
High-quality CBD oil comes in a dark-colored bottle that’s designed to protect the CBD oil from the effects of sunlight, but you should also store it in a cool, dry place to protect it further. Leaving CBD oil in direct sunlight can cause the cannabinoids to break down and reduce their effectiveness.
Reduce Exposure to Oxygen
If exposed at length to oxygen, bacteria can get into your tincture and form clumps in the bottle, which you will be able to spot relatively easily. Bacteria compromise the quality and potency of your CBD oil. Reduce the possibility of oxygen getting into your tincture by ensuring that you don’t leave it open and seal it properly after each use.
Storing CBD: Does CBD Oil Need to Be Refrigerated?
You can keep CBD in the refrigerator, but it’s not necessary. Anywhere cool, dry and dark are the optimum conditions for storing CBD oil – such as drawers, pantries or cupboards.
Other CBD Products
Let’s look at the other types of CBD products and what we can do to keep them in optimal condition. Similar to CBD oil tinctures, keeping your topical products or capsules out of direct sunlight and properly sealing them is best practice, but the formulations of topicals in particular bring another potential opportunity for bacteria to get into your products.
Topicals
With topical balms and CBD skin care products, dipping our fingers into jars and tubs can cause bacteria to get into the jar relatively easily. To avoid this, there are two options:
- Ensure that you wash your hands before you use your CBD balm or topical product.
- Use a clean, small spoon or spatula to get the balm out of the jar and onto your skin.
Capsules
Capsules are extremely similar to CBD oil tinctures, so provided you store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight in an airtight container, they will maintain their shelf life.
So, Does CBD Oil Expire?
Overall, the question of “does CBD oil expire?” doesn’t have one definitive answer as it’s dependent on a number of factors. At Moon Mother, all of our products are created with intention and care to produce the highest quality results that last. Contact us any time with questions at team@moonmotherhemp.com or 303-442-2983.
