Introduction
Yes, CBD oil does expire. That is the short answer to the question. Virtually every biological compound expires, but CBD oil has such a fantastic reputation that one might be tempted to consider it indestructible. It is not.
Now that you know it expires, the next logical question would be, after how long? There is no short answer to this one, but if you are looking for an indicative timeline, CBD oil ordinarily has a shelf life of between one and two years.
The following factors determine the lifespan of CBD oil.
Ingredients
No CBD oil is ever made up of hemp extract alone. They all contain other ingredients such as carrier oil, flavoring, and other enhancements. Each of these ingredients has a different shelf-life, which has a bearing on the entire product’s longevity.
Sometimes, mixing two ingredients can cause them to have a shorter lifespan than they would have as separate elements. Therefore, the fewer ingredients your CBD oil has, the more durable it will be. Study product’s certificate of analysis to see what it contains.
Hemp growing conditions
The conditions in which a plant is grown determines the quality of its final products. This is true of all plants, but it is even more valid for hemp because it is a bio-accumulator.
Being a bio-accumulator means that the plant retains all the compounds contained in the soil on which it grows and those applied to it, such as fertilizers and pesticides. Any contaminants in the environment end up in your CBD oil, lowering its quality and shelf life.
Packaging and storage
Research shows that CBD retains its integrity for longer when kept away from light, heat, and air. For this reason, knowledgeable manufacturers package their CBD oil in airtight, amber bottles.
If your oil is packaged in a clear bottle, it will be degraded faster than usual. How you store the oil also matters; you should keep it in a cool place with temperature ranging between (16 and 210C)
Method of extraction
There are two common methods of CBD extraction, solvent distillation, and supercritical CO2 extraction method. Solvent distillation obtains the hemp extract by dissolving it in a solvent.
After dissolving it, the manufacturer distills the mixture to separate hemp extract from the solvent. The hemp extract may retain a residue of solvent no matter how efficient the distillation process is. This residual solvent becomes an impurity that reduces the shelf-life of your CBD oil.
On the other hand, the CO2 method doesn’t use any solvents; thus, the extract obtains no impurities. This extraction method also ensures that the many biological compounds found in the hemp extract remain inert. Always choose the supercritical CO2 extracted CBD oil for longer shelf life.
The CBD market is largely unregulated. You have to depend on the manufacturer’s reputation to establish the quality of a product, as a result. One could search the internet for a list of reputable manufacturers and go for their products.
However, the fact that a company is not on the list you would turn up doesn’t mean that its products are harmful.
Reputable companies have the following in common.
They subject themselves to independent third-party analysis
Make sure any company you buy from has its products analyzed by an ISO-17025 certified lab. The company should make the certificate of analysis readily available for you to see the contents of their CBD oil. They should also test each batch of oil they produce separately.
They Use American Grown Hemp
This isn’t unwarranted bias against other hemp-producing countries; American hemp is usually pure due to the country’s stringent organic farming practices. The hemp is, therefore, unlikely to contain pesticides, heavy metals, and other agrochemical-related toxins.
They are members of peer review bodies
We observed earlier that the CBD industry isn’t regulated. Genuine companies attempt to mitigate the lack of government regulation by instituting peer review mechanisms.
Companies come together and set standards that each member must follow. This way, there is a common standard for every company to achieve. One example of such a body is the American Hemp Association.
They have no warning letters from FDA
FDA doesn’t regulate the CBD industry, but it still has a loose oversight over supplement manufacturers. If a company is notorious for making unsupported medical claims, labeling its products inaccurately, and such other vices, FDA steps in and sends a warning letter. Avoid a company that has such citations.
They have positive customer reviews
A significant percentage of CBD oil business goes on online. Customers usually leave reviews of a company’s products and services on review boards. Avoid dealings with any company that has a significant percentage of negative reviews.
CBD oil manufacturers are obligated to include the manufacture and expiry date on the label. Unfortunately, there may be times when the date is inaccurate. You can buy expired CBD oil or have it expired in such instances while still in your use.
How do you know your oil is expired?
It has a strange smell
Unscented CBD oil is famous for its earthy smell. This smell may be unsophisticated, but it is not unpleasant. When you find that CBD oil has a foul smell, stop using it immediately. It is spoilt.
It is viscous or gelatinous
CBD oil has a smooth and even thickness. If you find that the thickness is greater than usual, or parts of it are thicker than others, you should know that the oil has expired.
It tastes strange
Fresh CBD oil will have one of two tastes; its natural, earthy taste, or the taste of the artificial flavoring added to it – the flavor is usually indicated on the label as natural or otherwise flavored. If the oil has a funky smell that is off the original taste, then your oil is expired.
Many of the CBD oil users don’t take it regularly. If you are one of them, you should ensure the product you buy has enough days remaining in its shelf-life to enable you to utilize it before it expires.
The storage and usage play an essential role in your oil’s survival to the end of its days. Avoid changing the oil’s container as this exposes the oil to air which degrades it.
You should also cork the bottle quickly and tightly after use. Finally, clean the dropper every time you use it.
As we conclude, it is worth noting that CBD oil is generally not harmful to the user even after expiration. Its expiration means that it has become ineffective.
