CBD oil is a popular and potent CBD product that can improve your overall health. Yet, its effectiveness and potency are not infinite. Over time, the cannabinoids from the hemp plant will naturally break down and lose some of its potency.
Having said that, this begs the question, “How can I know if my CBD oil has reached its determined expiry date?” This post covers all the pertinent information you need.
Understanding CBD Oil Expiration Date
CBD oil, like perishable goods or beauty products, has an expiration date. This refers to a timeframe within which CBD oil retains its potency and effectiveness.
CBD oil’s shelf life typically lasts between one to two years, depending on several factors – heat, sunlight, and how you store your CBD. This 1-2 years is a guideline for optimal usage, with the specifics outlined below on how to store your CBD effectively before CBD oil expires.
Like all organic food products, fresh CBD oil can break down gradually. The highest quality CBD oil (like Stirling) will have an expiration date for its shelf life.
The compounds that makeup CBD oils degrade over time, potentially diminishing their effectiveness.
Proper storage is necessary to maximize the longevity of your CBD oil products. This may also mean avoiding exposure of CBD oil to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, and excessive air, which may accelerate the degradation process.
Why Does CBD Oil Expire?
CBD oil from the hemp plant consists of various cannabinoids, each offering distinct potential benefits. However, like a ripening fruit, CBD oil and other related CBD products undergo a natural oxidation process, contributing to the expiration of CBD’s shelf life.
What Factors Make CBD Oil Expire?
Various factors lead to the expiration of CBD oil’s shelf life. Each plays a crucial role in affecting CBD shelf life.
Packaging: Preserving CBD Oil’s Freshness
When you buy a CBD extract, remember that the label is not just about the aesthetics. It serves as a guardian of CBD oil freshness.
Dark glass bottles are chosen strategically to protect CBD oil from the deteriorating effects of sunlight. In addition, top-tier CBD oils are stored in airtight containers so that oxygen molecules cannot infiltrate the bottle and quicken the natural progression of degradation. Thus, this packaging style can help extend the product’s shelf life.
Stirling CBD adopts quality manufacturing practices that will help protect your purchase. Our CBD oil is stored in a dark glass and airtight container to ensure our vegan CBD extracts will reach their maximum shelf life.
Also, we include the CBD oil expiration date in our product labels so that you know when our products eventually expire.
Quality Matters: Extraction Method Used and Included Ingredients
The quality of the ingredients, coupled with the extraction method used, are pivotal in determining the shelf life of CBD oil. Choosing premium ingredients profoundly impacts a CBD oil’s shelf life. Also, a meticulous and safe extraction process may contribute to extending CBD oil expiration date.
Today, the cavitation method (Stirling CBD exclusively uses this) and CO2 extraction are two of the best approaches for extracting CBD oil from a hemp plant. These methods utilize zero heat, which leads to preserving the integrity of the plant’s beneficial compounds.
Ethanol extraction is another known strategy, but it may not maintain freshness as effectively as cavitation and CO2 extraction.
Carrier oils are also employed in the manufacture of CBD oil. A carrier oil is a base oil that dilutes essential oils and other concentrated substances. It is essential that the CBD brand you are buying uses high-quality carrier oil because it also affects the quality of the CBD oil.
Common carrier oils are the following:
- MCT oil (Stirling chooses this oil because it enhances the overall shelf life of our CBD oils.)
- Hemp seed oil
- Coconut oil
- Grapeseed oil
- Olive oil
Conditions: Maximizing CBD Oil Longevity
If the CBD oil is stored properly, it may lead to a longer shelf life. Shielding your CBD products from extremes of temperature, light exposure, and air. These few factors can hasten the breakdown of oils and other active compounds present within CBD products. Ultimately, the degradation diminishes the product’s potential therapeutic benefits.
For optimal storage, place the CBD product in a dark place at room temperature. Always ensure that the CBD extract is stored inside airtight bottles to minimize air exposure. You may store your CBD inside a bedside table or kitchen cabinet. When stored correctly, it increases the CBD oil shelf life.
What Happens If You Consumed Expired CBD Oil
Suppose you accidentally consume expired CBD oil; what will happen? The good news is that CBD that has reached its expiration date will only lead to minimal risks. One known effect of consuming expired CBD oil is less potency.
As the hands of time move, cannabinoids within the CBD oil gradually weaken. Thus, it will lead to a less effective CBD extract. Essentially, taking CBD oil that has recently gone past its own shelf life may offer benefits that are similar to ingesting generic whole plant-based oil rather than experiencing the full therapeutic effects of CBD.
Based on cannabinoid research, expired CBD oil may not deliver its maximum effects because of the degradation of the natural products contained therein. While it’s possible to feel unwell if you ingest “bad” CBD oil, similar to other expired edible items, there are no known long-lasting health concerns associated with it.
How to Identify Expired CBD Oil
Like our spoiled foods, some telltale signs will inform you that CBD oil has expired. Familiarize yourself with them below:
Change in Color
One of the first signs that a CBD oil has gone bad is its color or consistency changes. Fresh and good quality CBD oil has a golden brown appearance. It is also blessed with a smooth and uniform texture.
Suppose you noticed significant changes in physical appearance, as listed below. This may be an indication that the CBD oil has expired.
- Cloudy appearance
- Thickened consistency
- Separation of ingredients
Reduced Potency
Over time, CBD products’ effectiveness will degrade. If you find that your usual dosage no longer provides the therapeutic benefits as before (e.g., a full-spectrum CBD no longer induces a highly potent effect), there is a great chance that the CBD oil has reached its expiry date.
Production of Unpleasant Smell
Expired CBD oil can develop a bad smell and a different taste. CBD oil typically has a mild, earthy aroma and a slightly nutty or grassy flavor profile.
When you detect any unwanted odors and tastes, it may be a sign that the CBD oil is already beyond its expiry date.
Prolonging CBD Oil Shelf Life
Now, let’s explore the different storage tips that will greatly extend the shelf life of CBD products.
CBD tinctures
Store CBD oil in a safe and cool environment. Do not expose it to too much temperature, light, or air. You may place your favorite CBD oils inside the pantry, medicine cabinet, or fridge. If you use these tinctures within the year you bought them, you should be OK.
CBD topicals
CBD topicals like creams, lotions, and salves have similar expiration timelines. These hemp-based products may last for 18 – 24 months, provided they come from a reputable brand (such as Stirling), and are stored in airtight containers.
CBD gummies
Expiration dates for CBD gummies may differ depending on the ingredients used. Typically, they can last from 6 months to one year. Some users even testify that their gummies lasted longer thanks to proper storage. Like with CBD oil, store CBD gummies in a dark place at room temperature.
CBD capsules
CBD capsules may have expiration dates between 6 months and 2 years. Thanks to their relatively long shelf life, you may enjoy the benefits of CBD capsules for quite a long time.
Buy the Best CBD Oils Today!
Behold Stirling’s CBD oil lineup. Buy them today and experience CBD benefits like never before.
Produced with absolute care and precision, our Broad Spectrum CBD Oil 1500mg and Broad Spectrum 3000mg use only natural ingredients. We observed the best manufacturing practices to ensure that they will last long. Each bottle is a testament to purity, potency, and transparency.
Our unparalleled potency and effectiveness make our brand stand out from the rest of the pack. Formulated to deliver optimal results, these oils harness the full potential of CBD without the psychoactive effects of THC.
At Stirling, quality is our top priority. That’s why our CBD oils undergo rigorous third-party testing to ensure purity, potency, and consistency. With Certificates of Analysis (COAs) readily available, you can trust that you’re getting a product that meets the highest standards of quality and safety.
