Does CBD Oil Expire?

Found a long-forgotten bottle of CBD oil and wondering whether it's safe to finish? CBD oil does expire, but that might not mean what you think it means.

Key Takeaways

• Various factors, including the possibility of incorrect storage, make it difficult to create exact expiration dates for CBD oil, so you should use your best judgment.
• When stored correctly, CBD oil usually lasts for a year or two.
• Avoid exposing your oil to sunlight, heat, or oxygen.
• Purchase from a reputable manufacturer to maximize your CBD oil's shelf life.
• Expired CBD oil is usually not dangerous, but likely will have lost the desired effects, so you should probably replace it anyway.

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The Highs and Lows of CBD Oil

CBD oil's popularity has reached previously unthinkable heights over the last decade. Once largely unknown, this simple substance is now sought after by tens of millions of people every year!

It's not hard to see why. CBD oil is legal even in many places that prohibit marijuana, as it contains little to no THC. 

CBD can be used to treat chronic pain, epilepsy, osteoarthritis, anxiety, and even acne. Some of these uses are backed by clinical studies, while others remain experimental. 

Still, it's clear CBD oil is beloved by many — and more are using it every single year. But how long, exactly, can it last?

What Is the Shelf Life of CBD Oil?

Like most natural products, CBD oil does expire. Usually, this happens within a year or two of manufacture. 

Reputable brands will usually put an expiration date somewhere on their product.

But don't rush to throw away your "expired" CBD oil. These expiration dates are more estimates than hard rules.

That's because there are many factors that influence how long an individual bottle of CBD oil lasts. Unfortunately, some of these are out of your control. The extraction method is one example.

Fortunately, a few factors are under your control. With proper storage, you can keep your oil good for longer — meaning more oil for you and less waste for the planet. Win-win!

How to Tell if Your CBD Oil is Bad

Before we cover what proper storage looks like, let's discuss the signs CBD oil has expired. For this, you'll need to use your natural senses — including common sense.

Color

CBD oil comes in various colors. The exact shade may vary based on the ingredients used. 

Usually, CBD oils are mixed with a carrier oil. Different carrier oils may have different colors. Any flavorings used in the oil may also affect the color.

It's not uncommon for CBD oil to be some shade of brown or pink. That might seem strange, but pink is actually a great sign that you have quality CBD oil with lots of polyphenol oxidase.

That's a nutrient that's thought to have various cancer-fighting and antioxidant benefits. It can turn a rosy pink color when exposed to sunlight.

Clarity

Thickness or murkiness are both signs your CBD oil has expired. 

It's important to distinguish this from haziness or cloudiness. These can be caused by cold temperatures. 

For that reason, it's good practice to take a bit of your CBD oil and let it warm to room temperature before making any decisions. If the cloudiness clears, your oil might still be good.

If it remains thick and murky, though, you might be out of luck.

Smell

The sniff test is as old as time. Good quality CBD oil usually smells earthy. Remember, flavorings and other additives may affect this.

The usual sniff test rules apply. If your oil smells bad, it may well be bad. When we say bad, we mean a really rancid smell.

Taste

The final test is simple. Give your oil a taste!

No, we're not kidding. Good CBD oil usually has an earthy taste. Again, flavorings and other additives may change the taste.

The taste test has the same principles as the sniff test. If your oil tastes rancid, it could well have expired.

Is Expired CBD Oil Dangerous?

There's no evidence to suggest that expired CBD oil is necessarily life-threatening. Smelling or consuming expired CBD oil will likely have no ill effects. 

That's because here, "expired" refers to the CBD itself.

Over time, the strength of your CBD can lessen. Eventually, it'll disappear altogether. You'll be left with a bottle of plant-based oil. 

If you've ever been tempted to try a bit of olive oil, you'll know it probably won't hurt you — though taking too much can have, uh, laxative effects.

Of course, the carrier oils themselves can also expire. In that case, proceed with even more caution.

An Extra Test: Does It Work?

This is a riskier test, so only use it if you really need to. Just try your CBD oil!

If it's expired, you'll have basically consumed a dose of oil. Your CBD oil won't give you any of the expected benefits.

However, if your oil has truly gone rancid, this isn't the best idea. Better to play it safe with a new bottle delivered right to your door.

The CB-Dos and Don'ts for Storing CBD Oil

So, how do you stop the above signs of expiry from happening? There are three main factors to consider.

But first, you should consider where you're buying from.

Purchase High-Quality CBD Products

A CBD oil's expiration date can be affected by factors out of your control. 

For example, some CBD products are extracted using fossil fuels or ethanol. You want to avoid those.

Instead, look for CBD products extracted with carbon dioxide. CO2 extraction is safer, cleaner, less toxic, more environmentally friendly, and cheaper than extraction with fossil fuels.

The best method is called the "supercritical" CO2 extraction process. That can produce truly pure CBD oil. The process separates CBD from other natural compounds, including other cannabinoids, contained in the hemp plant.

Other things to look out for include the following:

• Quality of the cannabis plant
• Growing conditions
• Harvesting conditions
• Packaging

In short, your best option is to buy from a reputable, well-reviewed provider. 

What Makes CBD Oil Expire?

There are three horsemen of CBD oil expiration to watch out for:

1. Heat
2. Sunlight
3. Oxygen

Exposing your CBD oil to any of these three factors can make it expire faster. 

Use the Original Container

CBD oil usually comes in dark glass bottles. Dark green, brown, or amber are all common colors.

This isn't to prevent you from seeing inside. It's also not just for looks, though these bottles are often aesthetic.

Instead, the color protects the oil from the UV radiation in sunlight. Light exposure can cause the cannabinoids in the CBD oil to break down.

For that reason, it's best to keep your CBD oil in its original container.

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Close the Lid Properly

Oxygen can react with the ingredients in your CBD, including any other oils that might be mixed in. For that reason, keep air exposure to a minimum.

Doing this is easy. Just replace the lid as soon as possible, and make sure it's closed tightly.

Avoid Direct Sunlight

Keep your CBD oil in a cool, dark place. CBD oil expires faster when exposed to heat and light.

This doesn't necessarily mean you need to stick your oil in the fridge or freezer. That's possible, but not necessarily recommended. Find out why here.

A cupboard or drawer that stays at room temperature is best. 

Avoid keeping your oil in a car, bag, or desk. Also, avoid placing it near a heat source, like a stove, oven, or heating vent. 

Generally, any place that might receive a lot of heat or sunlight is best avoided if you want to store your CBD oil properly.

Keep Out Contaminants

Every time you use your CBD oil, you run the risk of introducing bacteria, fungi, mold, and other undesirables. These nasties can take over your oil, ruining it and potentially putting you in danger.

To avoid this, make sure you always use a clean dropper or spoon. Close the bottle tightly as soon as you're done to stop anything from entering.

Choose the Best Carrier Oil

Most CBD oils contain carrier oils. These may have shorter or longer shelf lives. 

Essential oils used for flavor or smell may also expire.

The gold standard is MCT oil. It's the best at increasing the bioavailability, or effectiveness, of CBD.

Other options include:

• Coconut oil
• Hemp seed oil
• Olive oil
• Avocado oil

Choose a Reputable Manufacturer

Look out for the following signs:

• Certificate of authority from a third party
• Extraction method
• Good reviews

Conclusion

By following the above steps, a high-quality CBD oil can last up to two years. Given regular users can get through a bottle of fresh CBD oil in a month, that should be plenty of time.

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Clean Remedies is a woman-owned, independent family business that uses clean and natural hemp extract to create products that are free from harmful chemicals, cruelty-free, and made in the USA, meant to benefit your well-being and meet our own high standards of efficacy. For CBD facts, product discounts, and more, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.