Does CBD Oil Need to Be Refrigerated? [Preservation Tips]
CBD oil sales are steadily climbing, which means more of the product is appearing in homes across the world. Subsequently, CBD consumers are concerned about storage. Is it best to leave CBD in the cupboard? Can I refrigerate CBD oil? Can I freeze it to save it for later? Does heat affect the product? These are all great questions that we will answer below. Temperature and environment definitely play a huge role in the longevity and potency of CBD oil.
How Long Does CBD Oil Last?
Although there is a common misconception that CBD oil cannot expire, technically, it can. Of course, different products will have different shelf lives but regardless, CBD oil has a shelf life of 12-24 months before it expires. There is such a wide range because several factors come in to play when considering how long CBD oil lasts.
For example, when you buy bread and it has an expiration date in 30 days, that expiration time could essentially be cut in half if you leave the bread in very hot weather every day or if you leave the bag open. CBD oil is similar. The temperature of the environment and exposure to air are just two factors that can affect the shelf life of CBD oil, but that’s not all.
What Affects the Shelf Life Of CBD Oil?
While your CBD oil should last up to two years, it doesn’t always work out that way in reality. There are several factors that can affect the shelf life of CBD. These factors include heat, light, humidity, and air exposure.
As with many other expireable items, the temperature of the environment is the most important factor for preservation. Finding the right place to store your CBD oil is key to prolonging its freshness.
Temperature
While it may be obvious that heat is not good for CBD oil, consumers could keep in mind ANY extreme temperature is not good. Frigid weather can be as detrimental to CBD oil as sweltering heat. With that being said, heat is the most common obstacle consumers come up against.
Those that live in hot environments should take extra care when storing their CBD oil or CBD products. A small mistake, such as leaving your CBD oil in the car when it’s very hot outside, can affect the potency of the product.
Consumers should also be wary of appliances that make the area hot. For example, you wouldn’t want to place your CBD oil near your Xbox because the console gets hot when it’s running. The same can be said for dishwashers, lamps, battery packs, and extension cords.
Most CBD manufacturers recommend storing your CBD oil at room temperature to preserve freshness, although there are other factors to take into consideration.
Light
While the light from your ceiling fan isn’t a real problem, the sun can be. Consumers should properly store CBD oil away from areas that get lots of sunlight. Of course, this ties into the heat factor as well but besides the heat, the UV light can cause damage too.
Sunlight (even when it’s not causing excessive heat) can still affect how long CBD oil is good for. Oftentimes, CBD oil comes in tinted bottles to help block the light, but the tint does not stop 100% of the UV rays. Therefore, it’s still beneficial to keep your CBD oil out of the sunlight.
Humidity
Mold loves humidity and moisture. All oils have the potential to form mold, and that includes CBD oil. Make sure to store your CBD oil away from environments that are humid or are very moist.
Of course, ingesting mold can cause medical ailments, so consumers should be very careful with this one. While temperature and light typically only affect shelf life, humidity and moisture can actually make the product you are using hazardous.
Air Exposure
One other thing to keep in mind is limiting a product’s exposure to air. Leaving the cap off, loose, or unsealed can speed up the breakdown of cannabinoids and terpenes. Make sure to keep the caps or packaging tightly sealed. Also, containers should not be left open for extended periods of time.
Does CBD Oil Need to Be Refrigerated?
Finding a cool dark place to store your oil is usually sufficient enough, but what about the refrigerator? Can you keep your CBD oil in the cold? CBD oil does not NEED to be refrigerated, although it may be a smart choice. Storing your CBD oil in the refrigerator can extend the shelf life of the product.
This is especially helpful when consumers buy oil in bulk. Let’s use bread as an example once more. When consumers buy bread in bulk, oftentimes they will put the excess in the fridge or in the freezer. Of course, bread does not NEED to be refrigerated, but it extends the life of the product.
If you live in an environment that is very hot, or very humid, storing your CBD oil in the refrigerator may be best. Keep in mind, we are only talking about refrigeration and not freezing. It is not beneficial to store CBD oil in extremely cold environments.
Can You Freeze CBD Oil?
It is not recommended to store your CBD oil in the freezer. It is unneeded and may alter the product. While there may be some CBD oils that do well in frigid weather, others can differ. This depends on several factors such as the carrier oil used and other botanicals that could be in the oil.
Some additives may cause the oil to harden in the freezer making it nearly impossible to use. The taste and potency of the CBD oil can also face challenges when the product begins to thaw. In some cases, products that thaw too quickly could affect the texture, taste, and potency.
How to Store CBD Oil Properly
When thinking about where to store your CBD oil, keep three things in mind: sunlight, temperature, and usage. If you buy in bulk and want to keep some product for much later, it is best to place it in the fridge.
For products not placed in the fridge, find a spot with minimum sunlight that is dry. Cupboards work great because they do not have much light, and are often dry areas where food that is in danger of getting mold (such as cereal or bread) is kept.
Do not leave your CBD oil in the reach of children or pets. Although CBD oil is safe for pets and humans, too much CBD for someone who is not used to it can cause nausea, lethargy, changes in appetite, and other mild side effects.
Should You Refrigerate Other CBD Products?
Some CBD products can benefit from being refrigerated while others do not need to be. Some things are a little more obvious to consumers.
For example, obviously you want to store your CBD infused lemonade in the fridge, right? But other things may not be as clear cut. Should consumers refrigerate CBD vape cartridges? Let’s take a look at some storage options for different types of CBD products below.
Topicals
CBD Topicals, which include lotions, creams, bath bombs, and more can be refrigerated but it is not needed. In fact, most consumers would not want to rub cold lotion onto their warm skin after they get out of the shower.
Many lotions and cremes do not do well in extreme temperatures either, so it depends on the product. Be cautious and read labels. If the label on the product recommends refrigeration, follow the instructions. Otherwise, it’s really up to you.
Edibles
In most cases, consumers should refrigerate CBD edibles. There aren’t many foods that don’t benefit from cold storage. From chewy CBD gummies and cookies to CBD butter and salad dressing, refrigeration is typically the best option. This is more so because you don’t want the food to spoil, and has less to do with the CBD itself.
CBD Vapes
Most CBD vape juices and CBD vape cartridges have very long shelf lives and do not need to be refrigerated at all. Much like with CBD oil, refrigeration can help extend the life (although it is already pretty long in this case), but it is not needed. It depends on personal preference.
Related: Buying CBD Vape Cartridges vs. CBD Flower
CBD Flower
Do not place your CBD flower in the fridge or freezer. The buds can become moist in the fridge, which is not good for the plant. In the freezer, the buds can become freezer burned. Consumers can store their CBD flowers in an airtight bag or container in a space that maintains room temperature. CBD flowers prefer dark and cool spaces. The perfect temperature is between 50-65ºF for the buds to be stored in.
CBD Concentrates
Much like how you store your CBD oil and CBD Vapes, concentrates do not need to be refrigerated but they can last longer if they are. CBD concentrates include Isolate, Shatter, and Live Resin, each of which can benefit from refrigeration, especially in cases where consumers buy in bulk and want to save some product for extended periods of time.
Capsules
CBD capsules do not need to be refrigerated. They can be kept in a medicine cabinet along with other capsules, such as allergy medicine or pain medications. Making it easy to keep CBD capsules in stock easy.
Refrigerating Cannabidiol [Final Thoughts]
The fact that you are here looking up the best ways to store your CBD oil is amazing. That means you are dedicated to getting the best out of the product. While it is not necessary to refrigerate CBD oil, it can extend the life of the product.
Consumers want to make sure to keep their CBD away from extreme temperatures and out of humid weather. If you live somewhere that is very hot and humid, refrigeration is definitely a great option for you. Always make sure to check the labels on products for expiration dates as well. View more info here.
