Do CBD Oils Expire? How to increase shelf-life of your cbd products

Cannabidiol (CBD) is fast becoming a popular supplement among adults of all ages in the United States. This increasing popularity is largely due to its numerous health benefits and non-intoxicative nature.

However, despite this wide acceptance, only 44% of U.S adults think CBD should be legal.

One common concern that forms the basis of skepticism about this supplement is the question surrounding how long it lasts. CBD products are swallowed, placed under the tongue, or rubbed on the skin, therefore, it is essential to know how long they last and how to preserve them.

CBD products come in different forms, and CBD oil has been proven very effective in a wide range of applications. Towards the end of this article, we will be providing tips on extending the life of your CBD and other storage tips.

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The simple answer to this question is, yes! Like many other natural products, CBD oils tend to degrade and will eventually expire. CBD oils have a shelf life of 12 months to 18 months and depending on how you store them and employing other tips that we will share in this article, you can extend their shelf life.

Now that you know that CBD oils expire, you must know how to tell apart an expired CBD oil from a good one.

The following are the factors to consider when looking out for an expired CBD oil:

 If you notice a change in the thickness of your CBD oil when it is not refrigerated, it may have expired. When CBD oils expire, they may appear murky with a thicker consistency. After being exposed to light, air, and heat over time, older CBD oils show signs of expiry. When a new CBD oil already looks cloudy and thick, this might only be because it's been sitting in a refrigerator.

The color of your CBD oil is also an indicator as to whether it's expired or not. When you notice a change in the color of your CBD from clear to dark brown or any color darker than its original hue, this may mean that your CBD oil is starting to degrade or has expired. Generally, if the color of your CBD raises your eyebrows, chances are that it has gone bad.

CBD oils usually have a pleasant and earthly scent. Like many other foods, you know it's getting bad when its scent turns sour. 

You can also tell if a CBD oil has expired from its taste. CBD oils generally do not have unpleasant tastes. So, if you notice an unpleasant or bitter taste, it could be a sign that it has expired.

\Expired CBD oils may become sour, lose their pleasant smell, or become less potent, but they won't make you sick. However, it is essential to be on the safer side, so you may want to dispose of bottles that have been improperly stored or in your cabinet for more than two years. 

You can make CBD oils remain potent and in good condition for periods exceeding their shelf life. You can achieve this by following some good practices. The following are the things to consider if you want to extend the life of your CBD product.

You need to know that not all CBD products were created equally. If the quality of your CBD oil is substandard, you may be fighting a lost battle trying to extend its shelf life. You may want to double-check the quality of the product before you make a purchase decision. One key element that might affect the quality of CBD oil is the presence of impurities. These impurities may differ based on the extraction method used by the producers of the CDB product. Unnecessary and excessive compounds may degrade the quality of CBD. Therefore it is vital to buy your CBD oil from a reputable CBD vendor. 

The question of whether to refrigerate CBD oils or not has a simple answer. It is not necessary. However, it may be a good idea to keep your CBD oil in the fridge to prevent the components in the oil from degrading and also to help retain its viscosity. As a matter of fact, refrigerating your CBD oil is highly recommended if you're buying the product in bulk. However, if you only have a bottle of CBD oil and you plan to use it right away, you can store it in a cool and dark place. In addition, if you live in a very hot or humid region, you might want to refrigerate your CBD oil.

 Since this product does not contain any preservatives, therefore it has to be stored in a cool, dry place like the refrigerator to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria.

High temperatures affect the quality of CBD oil. At high temperatures, CBD oil behaves in an inconsistent manner which may cause it to lose its health benefits. In some cases, extreme heat may break down the essential components of the oil. You also do not want to expose CBD oil to sunlight. When exposed to direct sunlight, the quality may reduce. Although most CBD oil comes in tinted bottles designed to block light, you can never be too careful. We recommend that you store your CBD oil in a cool, dry, and dark place to prevent degradation.

You might wonder why CBD oils come in small bottles. This is so that the CBD oil might be consumed on time. As you expose CBD oil to air, it reacts with molecules such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen. These molecules cause the components of the oil to break. Therefore, you want to be sure that your CBD oil comes in air-tight bottles to increase your chances of extending the shell life.

As earlier explained, CBD products may be sensitive to light, air, and heat and can be degraded if not stored properly.

CBD oils have a fairly long life compared to other forms of CDB. CBD oil and tinctures are normally packaged in glass vials. The glass itself is often dark, to prevent exposure to light. A dropper is usually included as well, to help with serving size and to keep the liquid inside as clean as possible. You must know that they do not last long just because they are CBD oils. Hence, you need to do the following to keep them safe:

Ensure that you keep the dropper away from impurities as much as possible. Impurities introduced into the bottle by the dropper will eventually degrade your CBD oil or tincture

Store them in a place with moderate temperature and away from light. A cool, dark place away from the windows would suffice.

CBD edibles are one of the most popular ways to consume CBD, and gummies represent one of the fastest-growing market segments. CBD edibles need to be stored properly as water evaporates from them. Many edibles like gummies are made with components that contain water. If you store them where air can reach them, the water evaporates, and they may become hard. Do the following if you want to preserve your CBD edibles for a long time:

1. Place the edibles in a sealed bag or jar before storing them if you want them to remain fresh for a good period of time. 
2. The product may come in a resealable bag. It is important that you ensure to reseal after each use if you keep them in the original packaging.
3. Refrigerate them: The best place to keep your CBD edibles might be in your refrigerator because it has a controlled environment. The environment is not humid, has low moisture, is dark, and has a cool temperature. It may be better not to store them on the refrigerator door as this may expose them to frequent temperature changes. Some CBD edibles have sugar components and ants love sugar. You can stop worrying about attracting ants and other insects by storing them in a refrigerator.
4. Pantry or Cupboard: You can also store your CBD edibles in a pantry or cupboard as long as they meet the ideal storage conditions. The cupboard or pantry needs to be dry, dark, and have a cool temperature.

CBD storage when traveling: CBD products are some travelers' secret to warding off jet lag, flight anxiety, or muscle aches. This raises another question, how do you store CBD when traveling? You already know that air contaminates CBD products, and can reduce their overall potency. This is why premium CBD manufacturers use air-tight containers to store their products. After each use, be sure to leave the bottle tightly sealed to prevent oxygen from getting in.

The CBD oil craze has been sweeping the nation, and for good reasons too. It’s a product that offers natural relief from physical discomfort without any dangerous side effects or addictive qualities. So, do they expire? Yes, they do. However, many factors can influence how long they last. Choosing a CBD product of premium quality is non-negotiable if you want to keep them for a long time. There is almost nothing you can do to prevent your CBD from going bad if it is substandard. It is therefore essential that you patronize reputable vendors. It is also noteworthy that most CBD oils will remain potent between 6 months and two years as long as you are mindful of the temperature, air, and light.

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