Does CBD Oil Go Bad?

If you’ve ever found yourself asking does CBD oil go bad, you are definitely not alone. We get this question a lot, and it makes sense: with all of the information out there about CBD, including how to use it, what it’s benefits are, and how to choose the right CBD product for your needs, there’s not a lot on its shelf life or how to tell if it’s past its prime.

We think it’s time to clear up the confusion—so let’s start at the beginning. Yes, CBD oil can and does expire. And in fact, if you take a look at the packaging on your CBD tincture, capsule, or any other type of CBD product, you’ll see an expiration date listed.

Most people who are using CBD regularly won’t ever make it to the expiration date, since you’ve got quite a while before the ingredients start to degrade. That being said, it’s still important to know the signs that your CBD is expired, as well how to store CBD oil to keep it at its best for longer. We’ll cover all of that—and more—below.

Understanding CBD Oil Shelf Life

Every single CBD product is different, so there’s no universal CBD oil shelf life dictating how long you have until your specific product expires. But in general, you’ll have about one to two years from the point of purchase before your CBD oil starts to degrade.

A few key points to keep in mind here though when talking about the shelf life of CBD oil. One, expired CBD doesn’t necessarily mean it’s dangerous to consume. Depending on the other ingredients in the product, a CBD product just past its expiration date is more likely than not just going to be less effective, rather than make you sick. (However if it’s well past its expiration date, that’s another story.) And two, there are things that you can do to extend the shelf life of your CBD oil. Check out the section in this post on CBD storage for hints on how to do it.

How To Tell If CBD Oil is Expired

The easiest way to tell if your CBD oil has expired is to look at the expiration date on the package. Aside from that though, there are some clear cut signs. Most noticeably, expired CBD tends to be cloudy in color and a bit funky in smell. So if you notice that your CBD oil appears foggy, or if it smells different than you remember, it’s time to toss it and purchase a new bottle.

Remember, CBD oil is made from natural ingredients. And even the best of natural, organic, non-GMO, and pesticide free ingredients are going to go bad eventually. The higher the quality of the CBD product, the longer you’ll likely have before you notice signs of expiration. Still, it’s important that you pay close attention and that you don’t consume any CBD oil that looks or smells rancid.

Storing CBD Oil

How long your CBD oil lasts depends largely on its expiration date, but storage also plays a big role. Improperly stored CBD products will degrade faster, and may reach their shelf life even before the date listed on the package. For that reason, you’ll want to store your CBD oil correctly to keep it effective for longer.

Always store your CBD oil in a cool, dark, and dry place. Exposure to light, moisture, and high heat will all have a negative effect, including reducing the potency of the product and breaking down the ingredients before their natural time. Some good places for storage include cabinets, drawers, and anywhere else the CBD will be protected from outside elements. If you decide to take advantage of bulk purchasing, then your best bet is to store your CBD products in the refrigerator and work on one bottle/product at a time.

Effective, long lasting CBD starts with high quality CBD products. Shop our CBD oils today, as well as CBD supplements, health and beauty supplies, and more, and discover the difference that good CBD can make—both in shelf life and in providing you with the health and wellness benefits you’re looking for.