Over the past several years, CBD oil has been a godsend for people suffering from physical and mental ailments like anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and inflammation. Considering the fact that a bottle of high-quality CBD oil can get expensive, you want to make sure it lasts as long as possible. If you’re only using a few drops a day, it could potentially take months or even an entire year to make your way through an entire bottle — which probably leaves many of our readers wondering “does CBD oil expire?”

To cut to the chase: yes, CBD oil will eventually go bad. The good news is that it’s extremely shelf-stable and will stay fresh for longer than a year if it’s stored properly and comes from a reputable manufacturer. Unfortunately, knowing which brands are trustworthy isn’t an easy or straightforward process because every single brand claims to be as high-quality as the next.

Before we get too ahead of ourselves, we need to make sure you have a basic understanding of what CBD oil is before you can determine if it’s expired or not. Let’s begin!

What Is CBD Oil?

CBD oil is an extracted compound of the cannabinoid cannabidiol, which is taken from a hemp plant. This renders a psychoactive-free product with less than 0.3% THC, which also contains trace amounts of terpenes and other beneficial cannabinoids like CBN and CBG when coming from a full spectrum extract.

The most popular CBD product on the market comes in the form of a tincture that is administered orally, followed by CBD gummies and sweets, vapes, and topical creams. To a large extent, most studies demonstrate that CBD oil has a very calming effect on both humans and animals because of its impact on the endocannabinoid system and cannabinoid receptors, which is what makes it so valuable to so many people.

Now that we’ve briefly covered what CBD oil is and what it does, we should get back to our main topic of conversation: does CBD oil expire?

How Long Does CBD Oil Last?

The general consensus is that CBD oil’s shelf life ranges from 14 months to two years — depending on how it was stored and if it’s high-quality or not. Heat, sunlight, and oxygen are the three main factors that can cause a bottle of CBD oil to degrade before its time.

For the best preservation, it is recommended to keep your CBD in a cool, dark place and refrigeration will also extend the freshness. It is also a good idea to keep it out of direct sunlight for extended periods of time since the oxidation from UV can also decrease the shelf life.

Perhaps, more important than the expiration of the CBD is the expiration date of the carrier oil used in the product. A carrier oil can include hemp oil, MCT, avocado, or any other oil commonly used with CBD ( – just to name a few).

At 43 CBD Solutions, we choose a highly-refined golden hemp seed oil, which has a 3-year expiration date of manufacturing.

As you now know, premium CBD products tend to last longer and full-spectrum preparations are thought to also last longer since they don’t contain any added ingredients that could expedite the aging process.

Since the FDA now requires labeling on all CBD products, it would be wise to steer clear of a company or product that isn’t in compliance. Taking that into consideration, keep in mind that the FDA doesn’t require a USDA organic endorsement, which means there is still a risk of being exposed to pesticides, herbicides, and other contaminants.

How to Know When CBD Oil Goes Bad

If the flavor and aroma of your CBD oil change from earthy to skunky over time, or if you note any visual changes (like it started clear but turned cloudy) — this is a good indication that your CBD oil has expired. The texture and color are other good signs that time has caught up to your oil. If it appears thicker or more clumpy or changes color, those are other important cues to look for that signal it’s time to toss it.

Since CBD oil doesn’t turn rancid or spoil in the same way food does, it’s unlikely you’ll become sick if you consume a little, but what’s the point if all the CBD and other therapeutic compounds are dead and gone? Instead, focus on how to prevent it, or how to extend the life of your CBD oil by properly storing it. Be diligent about keeping your oil stored in a dark or opaque container that is kept in a cool, dark environment to keep the light, oxygen, and heat from getting in and degrading it.

Does CBD Oil Expire? 7 Helpful Tips To Know Before Buying

Now that we have discussed how long the shelf life of CBD is — there are several helpful tips you should be aware of that will go far in extending the shelf life of your oil; saving you both time and money.

1. Choosing a High-Quality Brand 

Since CBD oil is still unregulated, there have been many dishonorable businesses and websites that are peddling a dangerous or ineffective product with a short, or non-existent shelf life. This is why it’s so important to stick to CBD products that are certified USDA organic, highly reviewed, and third-party tested.

2. Do Your Research About Where You Purchase CBD Oil

Again, low-grade or shoddily created CBD oil products often contain dangerous chemicals and toxins, some of which can be found on large online retailers like Amazon or eBay. Buying from an unreputable company is what you don’t want to do if you want to be sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.

3. Try To Buy Full-Spectrum CBD Oil

Independently tested and certified USDA organic full-spectrum CBD oil is going to be a naturally higher-quality extract because of how and where the hemp is grown, cultivated, and handled requires such a high level of transparency. Brands that are completely transparent and communicative like 43 CBD take genuine pride in providing products their customers can trust over the long haul.

4. Shelf Life is Not Always An Indication of Quality

On the other hand, even if your product does pass the test of time, it doesn’t necessarily confirm the safety or quality of the CBD oil you’re consuming. Since the cannabis industry is still so young, many producers adopt a less than optimal or questionable manufacturing process — sometimes without even knowing it. Yes, using cheap solvents like butane or propane can last a long time, but they’re incredibly bad for your health, and in large enough doses they can even be fatal.

5. Avoid Toxic Soil Since Hemp is a Hyperaccumulator

Plants that are hyperaccumulators like hemp, cannabis, and marijuana have the innate ability to absorb everything that’s put into its soil, including high concentrations of heavy metals and other toxins. Everything then gets accumulated in the plant’s tissues — which gets re-absorbed by humans if ingested. For this reason, if a hemp or cannabis plant is grown in toxic or poor-quality soil, it will result in a low-quality product that ages fast.

6. Check for Organic Certification & Certificate of Analysis

To guarantee your CBD oil will last as long as possible, you’ll need to pay close attention to whether or not the brand has its products independently tested. Only the most reputable companies are third-party tested and certified USDA Organic because each and every product is guaranteed to be a high-quality CBD oil that aligns with all potency and purity standards, and claims — and is free from any harmful toxins or impurities. This will go a long way in assuring the CBD oil in your products stays as fresh as possible for as long as possible.

7. All CBD Oils Expire

Every single bottle of CBD oil you’ll ever encounter will eventually meet its demise. This is why you should always check the date before purchasing and most definitely before consuming. Ingesting out-of-date CBD products is strongly discouraged. Not only for your health, but to also keep you from wasting your time. Once CBD gets old, it loses all potency and therefore any therapeutic benefit.

Takeaway

If you’re wondering “does CBD oil expire?” it’s likely you have a bottle that’s been lying around for a while, and you’re trying to decide if you should take it and hope for the best — or buy more. When in doubt, you could always try some and see if you feel any improvements, but if it’s displaying any signs that it’s gone bad, please throw it away.

Thankfully, a fresh bottle of CBD oil can last you up to two years, but low-quality CBD products are not only unreliable in terms of longevity, but they’re unsafe. Here at 43 CBD, we use a 24-month best if used by date. The 43 CBD name is also backed by third-party testing and is USDA certified organic so you can rest assured that all of our CBD products will stand the test of time.

To get started, feel free to review our lab results — and check out our line of full-spectrum CBD tinctures made from 100% organic hemp seed oil!