In a year-long study published in Pharmaceutics, CBD dissolved in oil held steady for six months at room temperature when it was kept in the dark. That is good news for the bottle in your cabinet. The same study also showed how much storage matters, because CBD broke down much faster once heat and humidity climbed.
So, does CBD expire? Like most natural products, it does. A few simple habits keep your oil, gummies, and creams fresh from the first serving to the last. Here is how long CBD lasts, how to store each product, and the best and worst places to keep it at home.
HOW LONG DOES CBD LAST?
Your label is the best guide, so check it for a best-by date. After that, CBD shelf life comes down to three things: heat, light, and air. They are the same things that age olive oil and coffee beans.
The research backs this up. In one study of CBD liquids, samples kept at body temperature for a month lost up to 20% of their CBD, and light exposure on its own caused losses of up to 15%. Another study found that CBD in solution stayed stable for at least 12 months at 41°F, compared with about four months at room temperature.
The takeaway is simple. Keep your CBD cool, dark, and sealed, and it will stay in great shape.
HOW TO STORE CBD OIL
Put the dropper back and twist the cap tight after every use. Each time air gets into the bottle, it slowly works on the oil. A tight seal is the easiest way to protect it.
Keep your CBD oil in a dark cabinet, away from the stove and sunny windows. The refrigerator works too, especially for a bottle you won’t open for a while. Cold oil can turn thick or a little cloudy. That is completely normal, and a minute in your hand brings it right back.
One more habit worth building: try not to touch the dropper to your mouth. It keeps the rest of the bottle clean.
HOW TO STORE CBD GUMMIES
Heat is the biggest thing to watch with CBD gummies. Warm gummies soften, stick together, and can fuse into one block. Keep the jar sealed so humidity doesn’t make them tacky, and store them somewhere room temperature or cooler. During a heat wave, the fridge is a great backup.
The same rules apply to CBD capsules and to the dog biscuits in our pet line. Close the lid tightly and keep them cool and dry.
HOW TO STORE CBD CREAM
Our CBD creams come in tubes, which already keeps most of the air out. Cap the tube right after each use. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat, since high temperatures can cause a cream to separate.
SIGNS YOUR CBD IS PAST ITS BEST
Your senses will tell you. Oil that smells sharp or bitter, looks noticeably darker, or tastes different than it did at first is ready to be replaced. Gummies that have gone hard, faded, or fused together have had their day. A cream that looks separated or grainy, or smells different, is ready for a fresh tube.
WHERE TO KEEP YOUR CBD: 6 SPOTS AROUND THE HOUSE
KITCHEN CABINET: YES
This is a great home for your oil, as long as it isn’t the cabinet above the stove or next to the dishwasher. If CBD is part of your morning coffee, keep it right beside the mugs.
NIGHTSTAND DRAWER: YES
It’s dark, it stays at room temperature, and it is right where your evening routine happens. It’s perfect for a bottle of Nighttime Lavender & Vanilla Oil or a jar of gummies.
BATHROOM COUNTER: SKIP IT
Shower steam brings heat and humidity into the room every day. Keep your cream in the bedroom and grab it on your way out of the bathroom instead.
GYM BAG OR PURSE: FOR THE DAY
A travel-size cooling cream or a few gummies can ride along for the day. Just bring them back inside at night.
CAR: NO
A parked car heats up fast, even on a mild day. Gummies melt, creams separate, and oil takes a hit. Never leave CBD in the car.
REFRIGERATOR: YES, FOR BACKUPS
Stocked up during a sale? Keep your unopened extras in the fridge until you are ready to use them.
START WITH CBD YOU CAN TRUST
Freshness starts before the product ever reaches your cabinet. Every batch we make is third party lab tested, and the results are posted for you to read. Our hemp is grown on our own farm in Pennsylvania, so we know exactly where it comes from.
Not sure where to start? Our guide to choosing the right CBD product can help. Shipping is always free!
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your physician before use, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.
