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With all the benefits CBD oils provide, you may fall in love with the natural remedy and want to purchase enough for long-term use. After all, there’s nothing worse than running out of your favorite product and having to wait for more.
Unfortunately, CBD oil is no exception to the rule that nothing lasts forever — especially if it’s not stored properly.To begin with, you should make sure your unused bottles remain sealed and out of the reach of children or animals. But there are a few more precautions you can take to guarantee your dispensary deals won’t go to waste.
From temperature control to light exposure, here are seven tips for storing your CBD oil for maximum shelf life.
Store in a Cool Environment
Most CBD oils are made with natural carrier oils like coconut or hemp seed oil. These oils are sensitive to heat and can easily become rancid if exposed to too much of it. That’s why it is essential to store your CBD oil in a cool place away from direct sunlight, such as in the refrigerator or a kitchen cupboard.
It doesn’t need to be much cooler than room temperature, though; any temperature between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit should be enough to let your CBD products maintain their original taste, texture, and potency for a longer time.
If case you’re taking CBD oil-based products, such as CBD soft gels with melatonin & CBN or CBD tinctures with curcumin, always follow the storage instructions provided by the manufacturer of a CBD product of your choice. This is because they may have specific recommendations based on the formulation and ingredients in the product.
Prevent Humidity and Water Damage
High-humidity environments can also damage CBD oil, even if the storage temperature is low and the bottles are sealed. For this reason, it is best to keep your oil in a dry place away from the sink or other sources of moisture.
Additionally, make sure you don’t spill any water in the bottles, for instance, when using the dropper to prepare a CBD-infused tea. Otherwise, it could contaminate the product and reduce its shelf life.
Some substances may interact in an undesired way with the CBD oil, and bacteria or fungi could also grow in it.
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Always Keep the Lid Tightly Closed
It goes without saying, but it is worth repeating. Always make sure to close the bottle cap tightly after use. Doing so will prevent the oil from coming in contact with oxygen, which can cause it to go bad faster.
Besides, if you have an opened bottle that you don’t use often, consider transferring some of its contents into a smaller container so that there is less air left inside.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Sunlight can be bad for CBD oil because it can cause the oil to break down and lose its potency over time. Exposure to sunlight can cause the cannabinoids and other natural compounds in the oil to degrade, making the oil less effective.
Specifically, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light can cause the molecules in the oil to break apart, which can change their chemical composition and make them less potent.
Because of that, you should always keep your CBD bottles away from windows or any other source of direct sunlight, such as a lamp or the dashboard of your car during summertime.
Don’t Refrigerate Full Bottles for Long
If you plan on storing full bottles in the refrigerator for an extended period of time, say, more than two months, you may want to reconsider. That’s because keeping them in a too-cold environment for a long time can cause the oil to become cloudy and lose some of its properties due to condensation.
It shouldn’t be much of an issue with organic CBD oils, but it still can happen. If you really need to refrigerate full bottles for a long time, keeping the bottles in a separate, sealed plastic bag or container should help.
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Check for Expiration Dates & Lot Numbers
When purchasing CBD oil, check the expiration date and lot number on the product label. Most companies will provide this information in a clearly visible spot with either an expiration or best-by date.
If there is no such indication, it’s best to contact customer support for more details about shelf life and storage instructions.
Generally speaking, most CBD oils remain stable for one to two years after the production date.
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Don’t Mix Different Brands of Oil
If you are a regular CBD user, you may have multiple bottles from different brands in your collection. Even if these oils come from trusted sources and have been appropriately stored, mixing them can cause the active compounds to interact in an unwanted way and reduce their shelf life significantly.
It is best to keep each brand separated and clearly labeled so that you know which one to use first. This way, you will also help prevent any potential confusion that could lead to mistakes when consuming the oil or preparing edibles with it.
Wapping Up with Storing your CBD Oil
CBD oil is an excellent natural remedy to improve overall health and well-being. But like any other consumable product, it can go bad if stored improperly.
Proper storage of CBD products is important to ensure their potency and effectiveness, regardless of the type of product – CBD products for pets included. Just remember to keep these products out of reach of your pets to prevent accidental ingestion.
It would be best if you always took proper care of your CBD products to ensure they serve for a long time. The steps outlined above are relatively easy to follow, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to enjoy the benefits of this substance for many years!
No matter what your preferred way to take your CBD oil — by vaping, ingesting edibles, or applying it topically — we hope this guide helped shed some light on the subject and provided you with useful information that will help prolong its shelf life. Good luck!
