Cannabidiol, known as CBD, has become immensely popular in recent years. This is mainly in part to many studies showcasing its benefits, and research showing that it may be able to help with different conditions such as pain, anxiety, insomnia, and depression.
As more people begin to purchase CBD oil after its federal legalization in 2018, there is not much knowledge regarding how to store CBD oil. We have investigated how you should properly store your CBD oil, in order to keep it fresh, potent, and to get the most out of your product.
In this article, you will learn:
How to Store CBD Oil
On any CBD oil label, you will notice that it states to “keep in a cold, dark place”. This does not necessarily mean you should keep it in your refrigerator. Although some people suggest keeping it in the fridge, it is best to keep it tightly sealed and in the cupboard. You can choose to keep CBD oil in the refrigerator, but it is not necessary.
The bottom line when storing your CBD oil is always to be sure that the lid is on tightly, and that you never expose it to direct sunlight. You can keep it in a cupboard, a bag, closet, or any other dark and dry location.
Tips to Keep Your CBD Oil Fresh
You do not need to be perfect when you store your CBD oil, but you should take a few precautions to make sure that you preserve the CBD properties inside of the oil.
Follow these 4 tips to keep your CBD oil fresh:
Tip #1: Keep Away from Heat
Heat can ruin the natural healing properties of CBD oil.
Tip #2: Buy What You Need
Buying more CBD than you need results in unopened expired CBD. Don’t be wasteful, only buy what you are able to use.
Tip #3: Keep CBD Container Tightly Sealed
Air exposure can accelerate the shelf life on your CBD, making it reach its expiration date faster.
Tip #4: Prevent Exposure to Direct Light
CBD Oil comes in a dark bottle to prevent light from getting in. Similarly to Olive Oils, light can alter the product and even change the taste.
Why Do You Want to Store Your CBD Oil Properly?
Storing your oil properly will help the compounds from degrading. If you want to maintain the strength and efficiency of your CBD oil, then you will want to store it correctly. If you do not store it correctly then you will not be able to enjoy all the benefits of CBD oil.
CBD is a special compound that takes a lot of time and energy to cultivate. Most high quality CBD products are not cheap. If you do not store your CBD oil properly then you run the risk of spoiling the oil and wasting your money.
Although uncommon, if you leave your CBD oil in a warm place with a lot of light, you do run the risk of both mold and bacteria growing. CBD oil does not contain preservatives and because of that, it needs to be stored with the utmost care.
Be aware that extremely cold temperatures will change the consistency of your oil. This does depend on the type of oil that is used in the process. The danger you run into with the oil becoming too cold is if you try to heat it back up. Placing CBD oil in the microwave will completely destroy any of the healing properties within the oil, rendering it useless.
CBD is safe to place in the freezer to be used at a later date but when thawing the CBD oil make sure to leave it out at room temperature and not under direct heat.
Does CBD Oil Expire?
Like most edible products we consume, CBD oil does expire. Each individual container will have an expiration date on the label or another area of the bottle. Typically, the average shelf life for a CBD oil is 14-24 months. Regardless of how long your CBD product is good for, or states it is good for, you should always throw out and replace any opened CBD products after two years.
How Does the Way CBD is Stored Affect its Shelf Life?
The method in which you store your CBD will greatly affect the shelf life. The cooler your CBD oil stays, the more likely it will maintain its potency and remain fresh to use for a more extended period. This is why you should keep it in a very dry and cool location, anywhere between 45 degrees Fahrenheit to 75 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal.
The refrigerator is a viable option but temperatures of fridges can bounce between extremes depending on the area of the fridge and how frequently it’s opened. When CBD gets too cold in the fridge, crystals begin to form. If you notice crystals in your CBD don’t be alarmed just take it out of the fridge and let it thaw out in a cool, dark place.
How To Tell if CBD Oil is Bad?
Color Change
Your CBD oil should come originally in a light amber color. This can depend on the form of extraction and the strain, but generally, it should be a light caramel color. As your CBD becomes oxidized and exposed to oxygen more often, you may notice it begin to change color and become darker. When your CBD oil is noticeably darker, you should change out your oil.
Change in Smell
Like most natural products, when CBD expires or goes bad it starts to give of a foul odor. If you forgot to put your CBD oil away after use, smell it to see if it is salvageable. If there is a change in smell and it’s not a good one, chances are your CBD has gone bad and should be thrown out.
Expiration Date
As we mentioned before, every bottle of CBD is required to have an expiration date. If you notice any of the previous signs of your CBD going bad check the expiration date. Bad smell or change in color should get your attention if it’s close to the expiration date.
What is the Best Way to Store Other CBD Products?
There are many different types of CBD products other than CBD oil on the market, such as:
- CBD Edibles
- CBD Tinctures
- CBD Capsules
- CBD Lotions
- CBD Drinks
- & much more
Different forms of CBD have different storage needs. Edibles and other orally consumed products need a bit more attention to detail than lotions or salves.
How to Store CBD Lotion
CBD lotion is much more low maintenance than CBD oil because you don’t consume it orally. The general guidelines are the same but for different reasons. You still want to make sure your lid is on tight so the lotion does not dry out. Excessive exposure to heat can turn the lotion into a liquid.
Since most lotions come in a solid container, meaning there is no light that can get through, you can store it on a shelf in the bathroom or wherever you typically keep lotions.
How to Store CBD Tinctures
Tinctures are different from oil in that the CBD in a tincture is dissolved in alcohol, versus oil. When deciding which form of CBD you want to use, you may like to know that CBD tinctures are actually among the longest-lasting oral forms of cannabidiol.
When stored properly, tinctures can last for many years. The best way to prevent your CBD tinctures from degrading is to place them into a dropper bottle and store in a refrigerator. This is another difference between CBD oil and CBD tincture. Tinctures do better in cold temperatures.
It is good to keep in mind that CBD tinctures made with glycerin will have a shorter shelf life than tinctures made with pure alcohol. High quality, and properly stored, alcohol infusions can last for many years before the CBD degrades.
Where to Get the Best CBD – Puure Therapeutics
Puure Therapeutics is a pharmacist founded and formulated CBD company. We specialize in high quality products to ensure you get the most out of every use. All of our CBD products are third party tested, 100% organic, non-GMO, US farm raised CBD.
We make sure that whoever uses our product gets the most health benefits out of it as possible. If you want to learn more about CBD and the benefits check out our blog. For high quality CBD to help you sleep checkout our selection of CBD oils and lotions.
Contact us today!