Does CBD Oil Expire? Here’s Everything You Need to Know
How long CBD products last, and how to store them so they stay fresh.
Reviewed by Jessica Flowers, Certified Clinical Herbalist
If CBD oil is part of your wellness routine, it can’t last forever, just like any supplement. Over time, the quality and potency of CBD oil and other CBD products can decline. How long yours lasts depends on how you use it and how well you store it.
Generally speaking, the shelf life of CBD oil is around two years, though that isn’t guaranteed for every product. After two years, a product is likely to have lost some of its potency. And that two-year estimate assumes the product has been stored in the right conditions and used correctly.
Does CBD oil go bad?
Like most products, CBD oils can expire. How quickly depends on a few factors:
- How long you keep it.
- How you use it.
- How you store it.
Light, heat and air can all break down cannabinoids and reduce potency, and anything that touches the product, like fingers or a dropper that isn’t clean, can introduce bacteria.
How long does a bottle of CBD oil last?
If you use CBD regularly, you’ll most likely finish a bottle in weeks or months, well before its shelf life is up. If you use it only occasionally, a bottle might last many months, which makes storing it well even more important.
The same two-year guideline applies to most CBD products, from tinctures and capsules to topicals and skincare, though a product’s formulation can affect its shelf life.
How to make your CBD last
Follow the instructions
It may seem obvious, but the directions on your label, box or product page describe the best way to care for each product, including details you might not have considered.
Keep it out of the sun
High-quality CBD oil comes in a dark bottle designed to protect it from light. Store it somewhere cool, dry and dark, like a drawer, pantry or cupboard, since direct sunlight and heat break down cannabinoids.
Limit air exposure
Oxygen gradually degrades CBD oil, so close the cap tightly after each use.
Does CBD oil need to be refrigerated?
You can keep CBD oil in the refrigerator, but it isn’t necessary. A cool, dry, dark cupboard works perfectly.
Caring for other CBD products
Topicals
With balms and skincare in jars, dipping your fingers in can introduce bacteria. To avoid it, wash your hands before use, or use a clean small spoon or spatula to scoop out the product.
Softgels and capsules
Store them like tinctures: in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, in a tightly closed container.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
