Should CBD Oil Be Refrigerated? The Truth Revealed
CBD oil has become popular for a variety of uses over the past few years. You can find it in skin creams, muscle rubs, and much more. However, one of the most popular formats continues to be CBD oil, as it can provide potential benefits for several different concerns.
But how do you actually store this CBD oil? Does CBD oil need to be refrigerated? Or should it be stored in the freezer?
The way you store your CBD oil is crucial to avoiding degradation and a loss of potency of the product. So, keep reading to find out the best way to keep your CBD oil fresh.
Does CBD Oil Need to Be Refrigerated?
No, CBD oil does not need to be refrigerated. If you plan on using your oil within a year, it’s best to leave the oils out of the refrigerator. When the oils are cooled, they become thicker, making it difficult to get an accurate dosage.
However, if it will take you a long time to go through an opened bottle, you may want to put it in the fridge to increase its shelf life. For example, if you bought your cannabidiol oil in bulk, you could store the excess in the fridge. Just note that this is not necessarily any better than storing it in a cool, dry place.
Related: How Does CBD Work? Unraveling the Mechanisms
Should You Freeze CBD Oil?
Similarly to storing CBD oil in the fridge, you can put it in the freezer, though it won’t provide any benefits and isn’t generally recommended. Freezing temperatures can affect the oil more harshly in a way that could change the consistency and viscosity. This is especially true for certain carrier oils, such as coconut oil. It may even solidify, making using it a hassle and causing a mess. Because of this, freezing your CBD oil is generally not recommended.
If you do freeze your CBD oil, make sure to let it thaw out at room temperature. Putting it in an oven or similar heat could degrade the compounds. You may also notice that it looks cloudy. This isn’t anything to worry about and won’t affect the quality.
What Is the Best Way to Store CBD Oil?
Since storing CBD oil in the refrigerator or freezer doesn’t provide many additional benefits, we don’t recommend it. Instead, you should focus on finding a safe place to store it that will give it a long shelf life.
The best way to store CBD oils is in a cool, dry place. This will give it the longest shelf life while avoiding the negative effects of the cold. CBD oil degrades when it is exposed to air and sunlight. Preventing this is the key to storing your CBD oil properly.
What Is the Shelf Life of CBD Oil?
The shelf life of CBD oils is around one year. Once it’s opened, the oil’s potency and chemical profile should remain stable for about six months.
However, this can vary due to a few different factors. When you understand these factors, you can also extend the shelf life of your oil without storing it in the fridge or freezer. You might even be able to extend it to two years.
Quality
The quality of the extract, flavoring, and carrier oils can affect the final product’s shelf life. Oils made from higher-quality ingredients are usually more resistant to breakdown over time. Make sure you’re choosing a high-quality product both for better shelf life and a safer, more enjoyable experience.
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Ingredients
Different types of ingredients will affect the shelf life of your CBD oils. Make sure to look for products that use sustainable and organic ingredients when possible. Choosing products from a manufacturer that is committed to high-quality ingredients can give you peace of mind that your oil will be potent and last longer. You should also be able to have access to the full ingredients list of any product you buy.
Extraction Method
To release the cannabinoids from the hemp plant, it needs to undergo the process of decarboxylation. This heats the plant and allows the manufacturers to extract the active ingredients.
The method of extraction could affect the hemp’s compound stability. The standard methods are the CO2 method and the ethanol extraction methods. These methods are considered safe, usable even in the food industry, and produce high-quality products.
Other extraction methods include olive oil, steam, and hydrocarbon extraction. Unfortunately, these do not always lead to high-quality products and are better avoided.
Packaging
Light can break down the cannabidiol over time. Therefore, you want to look for products packaged in dark bottles, preventing them from light exposure. Most reputable companies will pack their CBD oils in dark bottles, making this an easy find.
Related: What to Expect from Full Spectrum CBD Tincture
What Makes CBD Lose Its Quality and Potency?
Even though refrigeration isn’t required to keep CBD oil fresh, you want to keep it from losing its quality and potency. There are a few key factors that can speed up the degradation of your oils.
Temperature
Storing your CBD oil at room temperature is the best for keeping it fresh. Exposure to high temperatures can cause the terpenes and oils to degrade. This will cause it to lose its potency.
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Light
As mentioned earlier, exposure to light can also lead the product to degrade. Dark containers are a step towards keeping them fresh. However, you shouldn’t just rely on this. Make sure to keep your CBD oils in a drawer or cabinet where they won’t have too much exposure to light. You should always avoid exposure to direct sunlight as this will quickly cause the oil to degrade.
Air
CBD oils can attract certain molecules in the air, including oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. Unfortunately, exposure to oxygen can quickly lead to the oil degrading.
Store Your CBD Oil Properly
Storing your CBD oil properly is key to maintaining its quality and potency. You don’t need to store your oils in the refrigerator or freezer unless you bought them in bulk. Instead, focus on storing your CBD oil in a cool, dry place where it won’t be exposed to light. With proper storage, you can make your CBD oil last around a year, though you may use it up in the meantime.Related: Should I Take CBD Daily And Why?
