An unopened bottle of CBD oil should last for 18 to 24 months. Exactly how long depends on the ingredients used, packaging quality and how well it is stored. After 24 months, the cannabinoids may begin to degrade, resulting in a lower potency and fewer beneficial effects. Once a bottle of CBD oil has been opened this process will speed up and a bottle may last for around 6 months or more.
How long a CBD oil lasts depends on the individual ingredients maintaining their integrity and chemical composition. Most oils contain hemp extract and a carrier oil, but others have additional items such as flavourings, vitamins, or terpenes.
The quality of these components and how they were extracted can dramatically affect how long they will last. Once one component begins to break down it will affect the quality of the entire oil.
The speed at which any natural item begins to break down or go off depends on three key environmental factors:
Light – The presence of UV light provides energy for reactions to occur that can degrade and break down natural products such as oils and cannabinoids. This is why some companies choose to store their CBD oil in brown glass bottles.
Heat – An increase in temperature also provides energy for degrading reactions to take place. This allows substances in the oil and hemp extract to transform over time.
Air – Oxygen is a vital component of many of the reactions that take place as natural products break down. The combination of light and heat with oxygen allow it to take on a more reactive form which can cause CBD oil to go off faster.
Christoph Werdenich, Managing Director of BioBloom, told us that if CBD oil is appropriately stored the change to the cannabinoids after the expiration date will be minimal. However, if it is exposed to light, heat and air the higher the chances that the cannabinoids will degrade. For example, any THCa will convert into THC, CBDa into CBD and even THC into CBN.
If your CBD oil has gone bad you will notice:
These changes are different for every oil but if you notice a difference in the appearance, flavour or smell, it’s likely that it’s begun to go off.
The exception here is CBD oils becoming solid or crystallising. That is a natural occurrence of high-percentage CBD oils in the winter months and can be easily remedied without affecting the quality of the oil.
CBD oil that’s gone bad is unlikely to make you sick or cause you harm, but you should still avoid taking it. As the ingredients break down the cannabinoid content will change, and the new chemical composition will be unlikely to provide the results you bought it for.
Yes, it’s not just the hemp extract that will break down over time, the carrier oil is suspended in also has a shelf life. According to Christoph Werdenich, the most sensitive component in their CBD oils is the hemp seed oil;
“In general, hemp seed oil has a shelf life between 1 and 1.5 years. Its shelf life increases to a minimum of 24 months in BioBloom CBD oils, due to the high antioxidant content of our organic extract.”
Although how and when CBD oil goes bad is unique for different brands, there are some simple things you can do to slow this process that should work for all types of CBD oil:
To prevent leaks and ensure a tight seal try these often-overlooked steps:
With some oils, you may notice some clouding or crystallisation. This is usually not a sign of ageing or decay but a result of the extract being exposed to low temperatures. It’s most common in high-strength oils that contain 25% CBD or more.
If you notice this happening, place the bottle in a mug with freshly boiled water and the oil will go back to its liquid state. Repeat if necessary. This won't affect the quality of the oil.
You can refrigerate CBD but it’s unlikely to extend its life any longer than storage at room temperature. The best option is to keep it at a steady temperature of between 10℃ - 21℃. If you do choose to keep it in a fridge, make sure the door isn’t opened regularly. Although a fridge usually maintains a consistently low temperature, opening the door too often can cause large changes of temperature that could damage the oil and affect the cannabinoids.
By storing your oil carefully, you should be able to keep it for two years or possibly even longer. However, the best way to ensure it’s always fresh is to just buy what you need and only buy a new bottle when you run out.
At for the Ageless, we choose suppliers who make their products in small batches. This means that their products haven’t been sitting in a warehouse for a long time before you can use it.
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Tom Russell
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Tom Russell writes extensively about CBD oil and other groundbreaking food supplements. He and his wife share their home with two daughters and a lifetime’s collection of books.