Will CBD oil spoil over time? How to determine the durability of CBD products
Can CBD oil go bad?
The short answer is yes. All good things come to an end, and CBD oil is no different in this regard. Here's how to check if your CBD oil has gone bad.
Natural products have an expiration date, which means that even a bottle of CBD oil has an expiration date. What affects the shelf life of CBD oil?
Several factors go into the life of your CBD product. Here are some of the elements from manufacturing and packaging that can affect the overall quality of your CBD.
1. The quality of the carrier oil
The shelf life of your CBD oil depends on the freshness of the carrier oil used. Carrier oils such as olive oil, MCT oil, and hemp seed oil are often the first ingredient to go rancid in your CBD product. We won't delve too deeply into the chemical composition of these oils, but the short version is that these unsaturated fats have chains of carbon bonds that break down over time when exposed to oxygen. This process is called oxidation.
It is easy to tell at a glance when a base of coconut oil or MCT oil has gone bad, as it changes color from white to yellow and becomes compacted. Upon closer inspection, you will find that rancid carrier oils have a sour or putrid smell.
2. Other additives
The shelf life of your CBD product can be affected by its ingredients. For example, essential oils can offer more benefits to your oils than just aroma.
CBD oils containing essential oils can have a longer shelf life because some essential oils are naturally antibacterial and antifungal. However, additives like dyes and artificial flavors can affect the CBD molecules and expiration date.
3. Packaging
The amber-colored glass bottles have a function that goes far beyond just aesthetics and the CBD oil brand. It helps filter UV light to prevent degradation of the active ingredients. Not only does the packaging material have a lot to do with the shelf life of your CBD oil, the packaging devices also have an impact.
Packaging Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) is a set of procedures used in the medical industry to maintain high safety standards when it comes to packaging medications. While it is not the standard in the CBD industry, GMPs are being adopted by more and more brands.
4. Shelf life
How quickly a manufacturer can move their product from production into the hands of customers can affect how much viable time you have left to use CBD oil. The less time CBD spends on warehouse shelves, the fresher it is when it reaches you, reducing the chances of CBD oil going bad. Smaller companies that create CBD products in small batches usually move their products much faster, keeping them fresh when they get into the hands of customers. Always check the date of manufacture of your product to determine its freshness.
How to check the quality of CBD oil
It is advisable to look for third-party lab tests for any CBD products you plan to purchase. Independent lab testing is becoming the standard for reputable CBD companies that prioritize transparency and producing quality products. A brand will send a sample of their CBD extract to a third-party lab to verify the cannabinoid and terpene content in it and ensure it is free of contaminants including pesticides, heavy metals, solvents, and mycotoxins that can affect the potency and longevity of your CBD oil.
How to tell if your CBD oil has gone bad All good things come to an end, and here are a few signs that it's time to throw out expired CBD oil.
CBD oil is dark and murky
The color of CBD oil can be clear, white, dark brown or dark green, depending on the hemp extract and carrier oil used. If the carrier oil is coconut MCT oil, it could have a cloudy appearance, especially if stored in a cool area, and there is nothing to worry about. When the oil is thick or brown at room temperature, the problem begins. It could be a sign that the CBD is starting to break down. You can hold the amber vial up to a light source, examine the liquid and look for any irregularities such as cloudiness at room temperature. What CBD oil looks like can be a complicated way to tell if your CBD oil has gone bad, which leads us to our next telltale sign of CBD oil spoilage.
CBD oil smells and tastes stale
CBD oil has a naturally bitter, earthy smell and taste. Some people describe it as "nutty" or "grassy". Even if you're not a fan of the taste of CBD oil, you'll know it's gone bad the moment it smells musky and tastes rancid. Hopefully, you'll notice the haze and musty smell of CBD oil before you taste it. A carrier oil (coconut oil, olive oil, or hemp oil) could go bad. These oils usually have a neutral taste, but when they go bad, they take on a sour taste. Buying older carrier oils is one of the ways CBD manufacturers cut costs, so it's important to buy CBD from a reputable supplier. Beware of CBD oils sold at suspiciously low prices
CBD oil is expensive to produce
There are many costs involved in producing a high-quality bottle of CBD oil, including those for growing the hemp, the extraction process, and the product's ingredients - not to mention all the associated safety testing and marketing. Your average bottle of CBD should cost between 1,000 to 3,000 crowns, depending on strength, size, composition and quality. If you find that CBD oil costs less than 1,000 crowns, be careful and think about why the product is being sold at this cheaper price. It could be because of the smaller packaging, but it could also be because the expiration date is approaching, or it could mean that the CBD manufacturer is looking for ways to cut costs and sacrificing the overall quality of the CBD oil.
How to make CBD oil last as long as possible
Even the highest quality CBD oil will eventually go bad. For many people, a 12-month minimum shelf life is plenty of time before CBD oil goes bad, but if you want to maintain the freshness and potency of your CBD oil, you need to store it properly. Properly storing your CBD oil can help extend its lifespan and slow down the gradual breakdown of active cannabinoids and terpenes. Protect it from heat and direct sunlight and store it in a cool, dry place. Most people store their CBD products along with supplements and medications because the conditions for proper storage are the same. Some people store their opened CBD oil in the refrigerator to extend the shelf life. This may not be necessary if you plan to take CBD daily (which is recommended for best results). No matter what CBD product you buy, you should keep it away from direct heat and sunlight to preserve the potency of the cannabinoids.
If you want to store your CBD oil long-term (longer than a year), you can place it unopened in the refrigerator for 3 years. You should avoid taking it out of the fridge frequently or damaging the seal. Some people buy CBD oil in bulk and store it in the refrigerator until they are ready to start using it.
How to store CBD oils and tinctures
Oils and tinctures have a relatively long shelf life compared to other edibles or some smoking products. CBD oils and tinctures often come in amber-colored bottles to protect the active ingredients from breaking down due to exposure to light. You can store CBD oils and tinctures in your medicine cabinet, pantry, or refrigerator. As long as you use them within a year, you should be fine.
How to store CBD foods
Expiration dates for CBD edibles can vary drastically, depending on other ingredients. Baked goods like cookies are likely to spoil much sooner than gummies, hard candies, or chocolate CBD bars. When you buy CBD edibles, you should plan to consume them within a few weeks while they are fresh. In general, candies and chocolate bars can last longer on the shelves, but CBD and other cannabinoids are prone to degradation over time. If you plan to store your CBD foods for the distant future, you can keep them in the freezer to preserve their freshness. Always keep an eye on the best before date when purchasing CBD edibles.
How to store CBD products with external use
CBD products with external uses are a great way to bring the benefits of CBD to your skin. The shelf life of these CBD products is usually between 14 and 24 months, depending on the ingredients. The essential oils added to the products act as natural preservatives and antibacterial agents that can keep the quality of CBD external use products stable. Like all other CBD products, store creams, balms and massage oils in a cool, dry place.
Can expired CBD oil cause you health problems?
Fortunately, consuming it won't cause you health problems, but it won't taste very good and is unlikely to deliver any of the benefits CBD has to offer. When your CBD oil goes bad, it's time to throw it away. There's no point in taking something that tastes terrible and may not deliver the benefits of CBD, so if it doesn't look or smell good, get rid of it. If you're having trouble using your CBD products before the expiration date, it may be worth considering reducing the potency of the product. Try to match the potency of your CBD oil with your daily CBD requirements. For example, 5,000 mg of CBD oil (30 ml) may last you much longer than 1,000 mg of CBD oil of the same volume if you figure your daily dose is 33 mg per day.
Conclusion: can CBD oil go bad?
CBD oil can go bad. Most CBD oils have a shelf life of 1-2 years, which is plenty of time for most people to consume the product. In most cases, poor storage or improper consumption on the part of the CBD user is not even the problem. The shortage is often on the manufacturer's side. CBD companies looking to make a quick buck may buy low quality carrier oils and low quality hemp extract to produce their products. In addition, these CBD oils can sit on warehouse shelves for months (or years) before they reach your door, which means the CBD and other active cannabinoids may have already degraded significantly. While ingesting expired CBD won't cause you health problems, the overall loss of your hard-earned money is much worse. To avoid buying low-quality CBD oil, always look for independent lab testing of the product and buy from reputable brands that have a string of loyal users behind them. You're much less likely to run into CBD quality issues when you take these steps when shopping.
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