CBD oil has become popular among wellness enthusiasts looking for alternative sources of medicine. But the real issue is how long does it take before CBD oil goes bad? Besides that, are there factors that can influence the shelf-life of a CBD product? And if so, what can you do to maintain the quality of your CBD product? But there are several ways that you can use to ensure your CBD oil remains safe. To find out about the answers to these questions and many more, keep on reading.
Does CBD Oil Expire?
CBD oil, just like many organic products, can go bad. Generally, CBD oil has a shelf life of 12-18 months if you store it correctly. But even before this time elapses, CBD oil usually degrades the more it stays on the shelf. That’s why these products typically have expiration dates because CBD oil will eventually expire. However, the expiration date depends on the following factors:
The Source of CBD Hemp
The source of the CBD extracts matters because hemp is a bio-accumulator. This means that it usually absorbs elements found in its surroundings. Its, therefore, necessary to only choose CBD oil that comes from organic sources.
Extraction Method
There are many techniques for extracting CBD from the hemp plant. However, supercritical CO2 is currently the industry standard. Although expensive, this technique is the cleanest, safest, and most effective way of extracting cannabidiol. Ethanol is also a suitable method that seems effective in promoting sustainability.
Ingredients
CBD oil is usually a combination of CBD, a carrier oil, and other ingredients. Generally, the elements used to make a product heavily influence the shelf-life. For instance, contaminants such as microbes, molds, and heavy metals can quickly degrade the oil and reduce its shelf-life.
Storage
CBD oil needs to be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat. Improper storage usually decreases the shelf-life by increasing the decay rate, thereby reducing the product’s potency and effectiveness.
How Will I Know if My CBD Oil has Expired?
While making your CBD last or improperly storing it, it’s essential to know that your CBD oil can go bad. But how can you tell if your CBD oil has gone bad? Well, here are some of the key highlights to look out for:
- A foggy coating inside the bottle
- The oil noticeably changes color from clear to dark brown
- The oil loses its texture, i.e., from thicker stock to a thin one
Should I Refrigerate My CBD Oil?
No. CBD is ideal for storage in any place with room temperature. Just ensure that you keep it away from direct heat sources and sunlight. Freezing temperatures in refrigerators can easily make your hemp product go bad, and you should, therefore, avoid it.
Can Bad CBD Oil Make You Sick?
Consuming any expired product can make you feel unwell. This happens due to the introduction of bacteria to your system that causes unpleasant side effects. If you know that the CBD oil has expired, you shouldn’t use it until you get a new one.
Is the Quality of CBD Oil Important?
Yes. Quality is very important, and that’s why it consequentially affects product pricing. High-quality CBD products are usually expensive because they have better longevity and legitimacy.
Understand that the cannabis industry is quite diverse, and so not all CBD products are equal. They vary in terms of ingredients. That’s why the shelf-life usually varies, which also affects the product’s ability to provide relief to the user.
CBD products with impurities are usually of low quality. this mostly includes products that contain but are not limited to:
- Heavy metals
- Pesticides and herbicides
- Gums
- Lipids and
- Water-soluble
Does CBD Expire: 10 Important Things to Know
When it comes to the longevity and quality of CBD over time, here are the top 10 things you need to know.
The brand is one of the Biggest Determinant of CBD Product Longevity
The CBD industry isn’t under regulation currently. This means that there are a lot of illegitimate brands, and most of them sell poor-quality CBD products. Choosing a legitimate brand is, therefore, one of the most important determinants of CBD product longevity.
Consider Where You Make Purchases
Well, you might know what CBD product brand you need, but where you make purchases also matters. There are numerous 3rd-party retailers, but most of them usually sell knock-offs. Overall, the best place to make purchases is directly from the manufacturer’s official website.
Consider Customer Reviews
Once you have identified the type of product you need and where to make legitimate purchases well, you should consider the customer reviews. This will be critical in determining if the brand sells quality CBD products or not.
Check the Certificate of Analysis
Reputable brands usually conduct independent 3rd-party lab tests to determine the quality and safety of their products. This is also important for consumer transparency. To determine the longevity of CBD oil, you should consider if the brand provides a certificate of analysis from independent 3rd-party lab tests. This will give you an overview of the brand and its products. Besides that, you will determine if the CBD products have everything they claim to have, including other ingredients and contaminants.
Organically -Grown CBD Products Can Last Longer
Hemp is a hyperaccumulator, which means that it has a high potential of absorbing elements from its surroundings. If it’s grown in a toxic environment, the plants might quickly absorb heavy metals and harmful herbicides.
It’s for this reason that you should consider CBD products coming from organically-grown sources. This type of hemp extract is usually organic and, therefore, of high quality. Note that the soil type and surrounding environment are all great determinants of the hemp extract’s shelf life. Organic and high-quality CBD oil products from non-GMO hemp sources are bound to last longer than low-quality, synthetic CBD products.
Don’t Confuse Longevity with Legitimacy
A CBD oil product can last longer. However, this doesn’t mean that it would be completely safe in that duration. That’s why you should consider the source of hemp, method of extraction, and independent lab test results. Since this isn’t a regulated industry, many manufacturers use questionable methods to process their CBD products. So, instead of focusing only on longevity, consider the overall legitimacy of the product. Avoid any CBD oil product made with cheap manufacturing methods, including solvents such as butane and propane. This can significantly affect your health.
Ethanol Can Be a Strong Indicator of Sustainability
Some of the best CBD brands on the market usually use ethanol to manufacture CBD oil. Note that ethanol is highly effective in removing harmful toxins from hemp CBD plant extract. This makes it highly effective during the manufacturing process. Ethanol extraction also allows more cannabinoids to remain, which is important in determining the longevity and legitimacy of the CBD product. Furthermore, ethanol provides one of the safest ways of sustainably extracting CBD for human consumption.
Super-Critical CO2 Extraction is the Industry Standard
Super-critical CO2 is currently the industry standard when it comes to purity. It’s a premium extraction method that involves the use of CO2. It is highly effective in maintain the purity and quality of the CBD oil extract. Even though this technique is usually expensive, brands that normally use it have products that are bound to last longer and retain their potency. This also makes it safe for the environment.
Quality Products Have Expiration Date on the Label
Always check the expiration date on the CBD oil bottle or package. If the product has expired, then you should consider getting a new, fresh supply. Besides that, you should consider using your product before the expiration date just to ensure that you are safe.
Consistently Use Your CBD Oil
CBD brands usually dose their products to last you enough while you use them. That’s why you should consider using CBD oil routinely. This means that you are highly likely to replace your favorite product, even before it expires. If you are an inconsistent user, your supply will lie around for many more months until it expires.
How Can I Maintain CBD Oil Longevity and Quality?
In an aim to make your CBD oil last longer and still retain its quality, you should consider implementing mechanisms that increase the shelf-life of the product, including:
- Open the CBD oil bottle only when intending to use the product and then safely reseal the cap tightly. This is important in reducing the chances of oxidation that usually reduces CBD’s shelf life.
- Storing CBD bottles upright.
- Keeping the CBD packages in cool and dark spaces, away from direct sunshine. This includes the pantry, drawers, or even the cellars. Direct sunlight will quickly accelerate the expiration date. On the other hand, you shouldn’t store your CBD near warm places such as ovens and radiators. It would be best to carry them in your pockets or palms since a warm environment can easily trigger bacterial breeding.
- Avoid storing CBD products in highly humid areas. This is because high moisture content encourages the growth of mold.
- If you use an extra tool such as a spoon, you need to ensure that it’s clean. Additional application tools are usually the biggest introducers to contamination and bacterial growth.
Conclusion
It’s generally essential for you to use a safe and effective product. So, before you make any CBD purchases, consider its expiration date. CBD can go bad if it’s not fully used within its shelf-life period. Besides that, factors such as contaminants and high temperatures can trigger the growth of bacteria and mold. The effect is an increase in the decay rate of CBD oil. To ensure that your product is safe, only buy high-quality CBD oil from reputable manufacturers. Besides, store the oil in a cool and dry place, away from heat and direct sunlight. If you notice that your CBD oil has changed its color and texture or is producing a foul smell, it has expired, and you shouldn’t use it.