Does CBD Oil Expire: Shelf Life of CBD

We probably all know the feeling of getting some milk from the fridge, pouring it into a glass or your coffee only to realize that the milk has expired after already having had a mouthful of it. The feeling isn’t what you would consider to be among the most pleasant ones. But can it happen with CBD? Does CBD oil expire?

The answer is yes, CBD oil does expire, and you should always keep an eye on the CBD oil expiration date. But do you wanna know why does CBD oil go bad? Or is it possible to prolong the shelf life of CBD oil? Keep on reading to find out how and why does CBD oil expire!

Does CBD Oil Expire?

So, knowing that the answer to the question of “Does CBD oil expire?” is yes, you must be wondering just how long you can use it for. Well, it isn’t so easy to tell the exact shelf life of CBD oil. Usually, it is between one year to two years. 

If you want to know exactly for how long you can use the oil, you should check the CBD oil expiration date that should be found somewhere on the package. 

If you’re not a frequent CBD user and are trying to avoid your CBD oil reaching expiration date, you should probably think about buying smaller bottles of it. While large bottles of CBD oil might take a while to finish even for those who are using it every day, there are smaller bottles of CBD available. 

It might end up being a little bit more expensive because it’s usually more worth it buying in bulk, but in the end, you save more by not paying for the product that you’re not going to use. So, if you’re not a frequent user, consider buying a smaller bottle. 

How to Know if Your CBD Oil has Expired?

Now that you know the answer to “Does CBD oil expire?”,  as well as CBD oil shelf life, you must be wondering what are the signs that CBD oil has expired. Let’s talk about when it’s time to throw the CBD oil away instead of consuming it. 

The Expiration Date Has Passed

One of the easiest to spot signs worth mentioning in this Does CBD Oil Expire guide is the CBD oil expiration date has passed. If you realize that it’s already a few days past the expiration date you might consider throwing it away.

However, some people insist that even after the expiration date the oil is safe to be used. They might be right, as expired CBD oil won’t likely just poison you. It might not be as effective, but it’s still okay to be used. Despite that, there are some other signs that show that CBD oil has expired, that would definitely deter you from using it. 

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Change in Smell

One more thing to look out for, if you want to notice when does CBD oil expire, is the smell of the oil. Think about the food that expires. One of the things you notice first is the way it smells. The smell can become a little funky and might not be extremely atractive. 

It’s just the same for the CBD oil expiration date. The smell of CBD oil changes a little and just by smelling it you can speculate if it’s still good to be used.

Change in Taste

Another thing that needs to be mention in this Does CBD Oil Expire guide is the change in taste of CBD oil. Just like with food, CBD oil’s taste changes when it’s no longer good to be used. While some people claim that the oil’s taste isn’t exactly pleasant, it gets worse when it expires. 

So, if you notice that the taste of CBD oil has changed, you should consider not using it anymore. Then you’re best off purchasing some new CBD oil. 

Change in Looks

If you’re not very keen on smelling foul CBD oil, there’s another way to tell if you have to be worried about the question of "Can CBD oil go bad?". The way to do it is by simply looking at it. The oil you know is yellow-ish and rather clear. It’s not the case anymore when the shelf life of CBD oil has passed. 

The sight you’ll see is a little different from that. The oil you’ll have will be murky and cloudy. The color might change a little too. Also, you could notice the separation of the formula. This occurs because with time the components detach from one another, resulting in a less homogenized product. 

Can You Use CBD Oil after Expiration Date?

Now that you know that the answer to the question of “Does CBD oil go bad?” is yes, you might be curious can you use CBD oil after it has expired. Well, it’s possible and it will likely not poison you. Whether it’s advisable would come with a different answer. 

When CBD oil expires, it loses its potency. It would no longer be as potent as it was when it was just bought. But it doesn’t really become harmful to you once it has expired. Unless it had additives that could have rotten and might be harmful. 

However, some people’s stomachs might not react well to expired CBD oil. You might experience symptoms of intolerance. Especially if it contained additives that have also expired.

Furthermore, while using expired CBD oil is probably not deadly, you’ll not want to do it simply due to it being unappealing to use after expiration. All the taste, smell, and looks of the oil change and that will definitely make you not want to use it. 

What Factors Determine the Expiration Date?

Now that you know does CBD oil expire, you might also want to know what factors determine its expiration. Let’s cover the factors that lead to a sooner or later expiration. 

The Extraction Method Used

The first thing that determines the shelf life of CBD oil is the way it was extracted. There are quite a few different ways to extract CBD. Some of them are more favored among major manufacturers while others remain a popular DIY method. 

Generally, the best method is considered to be the CO2 extraction method. This method preserves the integrity of the plant. Also, the product made using this method remains the purest, compared to other methods. 

Some of the other ways to extract CBD Oil are steam extraction and solvent extraction. Using these methods a carrier oil or steam is used to extract CBD. 

Additional Ingredients

Another factor worth mentioning in this Does CBD Oil Expire guide, is the additional ingredients in the oil or tinctures. While CBD oil may have a shelf life of a year or two, some of the additives to it may not last that long. 

In case any of the additive's shelf life ends, the whole product is no longer good to be used. So, if you’re looking for an oil with a longer shelf life, you should opt for a product with the least additives to lessen the chances of any of it going bad. 

How Long Since It Was Extracted

Another important but often forgotten thing that can’t be left unmentioned when it comes to "Does CBD oil expire?", is how long it’s been since the CBD oil was extracted and packed. The longer after the extraction that you buy your bottle, the less time you’ll have to use it.

If you’re buying CBD oil in the shop, you can check out the expiration date to see how long you’ll have until the end of the shelf life of CBD oil. However, if you’re buying online you don’t have the opportunity. Although you can always contact the producers to inquire about the expiration date. 

What Can I Do to Make the CBD Oil Last Longer?

There are factors that could lengthen the shelf life or make it shorter. When you buy CBD oil you should know about its storage and what not to do with it.

So, you’re probably looking for tips in this Does CBD Oil Expire Guide on what to do to make sure your CBD oil is good to be as used as long as possible. Here are some things you can do to ensure it's good to be used for the longest period possible.

Store It in Good Conditions

Most of the drugs come with warnings that you should store them in cool, dark, and dry places^[1]. When it comes to CBD oil, it’s no different. CBD oil should be stored in a cool and dry place to prevent oxidation,  that’s caused by light and high temperatures. 

Oxidation is no good for CBD oil as it causes the components to break down, reducing the potency and the effectiveness of the CBD oil. So, you should avoid direct exposure to sunlight and might have to consider finding a suitable place.

It’s not that hard to store it appropriately. The way you store your medicine should work just fine for CBD oils too. Just put it in a drawer or pantry. Some people insist on keeping CBD oil in the fridge. It isn’t such a bad idea but might result in the oil thickening. 

Also, the oil needs to be stored upright. While it’s not that hard to do, you should make sure you stick to this. If not stored upright, the oil will be exposed to other materials other than the glass bottle, such as the lid or the pipette.

It might not be extremely harmful, but it still could result in the oil deteriorating over time. 

Minimize Exposure to Air

Another thing you have to consider if you want to know does CBD oil expire and how to prevent is exposure to air.

Have you noticed that all CBD products come in air-tight containers?  That must mean something, right? Well, it does. So you should try your best to keep it that way. Naturally, you can’t avoid some exposure to air.

You have to unscrew the lid to take the product. No one’s blaming you for that as there’s no other way to take CBD oil. However, you should make sure that you keep the bottle open for the shortest time possible. Don’t keep it open when you don’t need to. 

Exposure to air can lead to different germs ending up in your CBD oil, as well as faster oxidation. If you want to protect your product and make it more long-lasting, you shouldn’t keep it open when you’re not using it.

Avoid Contamination

Can CBD oil go bad before the expiration date? Certainly, if you keep it in the wrong conditions. There are various ways to keep your product from being contaminated.

The first and the most obvious one is by making sure no other substance ends up in the bottle of CBD oil. Some people might think of mixing something in the CBD oil to make it taste better. I assure you, this isn’t the way to go, as it could completely ruin the product.

Another thing to consider is the cleanliness of the dripper that usually comes with the CBD oil. When you use it you should make sure that it doesn’t directly touch your mouth or wherever you use it. Your mouth is full of bacteria that could cause some harm to the CBD oil.^[2]

Also, you should make sure your hands are clean prior to using CBD oil. Germs can travel from your hands to the CBD oil or the dipper and contaminate the oil. So, you should ensure the whole process is as hygienic as possible. 

Conclusions 

So, you wanted to know does CBD oil expire, or can CBD oil go bad. The answer is certainly yes. The shelf life of CBD oil is limited, usually up to 2 years. The signs that the oil has expired are changes in taste, smell or looks. The factors determining expiration are the extraction method, additional ingredients, and how long since the oil was extracted. 

However, there are ways to make sure your CBD oil remains good to be used for as long as possible. You should store it in good conditions, minimize exposure to air and avoid contaminating it. Doing all this you’ll be sure that you did all you could to ensure that your oil is protected from going bad before its expiration date. 

If you’ve noticed any signs that your CBD oil has expired, you must be looking for a replacement. To help you choose, we made a guide on the best CBD oil providers. Check it out to make choosing easier!

Scientific References

1. Pavlovic R., Nenna G., Annamaria G. 'Quality Traits of “Cannabidiol Oils”: Cannabinoids Content, Terpene Fingerprint and Oxidation Stability of European Commercially Available Preparations'

2. Avila M., Ojcius D., and Yilmaz O. 'The Oral Microbiota: Living with a Permanent Guest'