3 Signs Your CBD Oil Is Expired + Expert Tips To Keep It Fresh

When determining whether your CBD oil has expired, the easiest (and most obvious) method is to look at the expiration date on its packaging. If for some reason you’re unable to find a date, there are other ways to decide if it has expired.

According to Bonney, “CBD oil that has gone bad has a few indications—and it will be clear to your senses!” Below are Bonney’s tips for determining whether a CBD oil is past its prime: 

Look for a change in consistency and appearance: If it’s been a while since you used a CBD oil, start by dropping a little on the back of your hand to see what the consistency looks like. “It may appear thick and cloudy in appearance,” explains Bonney. Of course, some CBD oils are cloudy to begin with, so this approach is only helpful if you knew what yours looked like when it was fresh.

Perform a taste test: Even flavored CBD oils tend to have a slight hemp taste—but, whether you like the taste of hemp or not, you’ll likely notice a difference in a CBD oil that’s past its date. “Tasting CBD that is no longer good will be an unpleasant experience, as it may taste rancid,” Bonney adds. 

Take note of the smell: As with taste, you may notice a difference in the way your CBD oil smells. “Take a whiff from the bottle,” Bonney advises. “CBD that is no longer good will have an off odor or smell like a bunch of chemicals.”

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CBD oil almost always comes in small glass bottles, closed off with a dropper. But, while most products still state a one to two year life-span on the packaging, Bonney says there are ways to store CBD oil to preserve the potency as long as possible.

Aim for dark and tight: There’s a reason CBD oil is typically packaged in a dark-colored, airtight glass container: It’s meant to be stored that way! Excess light and air speed up the expiration process. Keep your oil in its original packaging and always make sure the top is completely closed so no excess oxygen can get in. 

Keep it at room temperature: CBD oil is also sensitive to temperature changes. You’ll want to be sure to keep yours at room temperature and away from heat and light. Think: in your bathroom medicine cabinet vs. out on your kitchen counter. 

Avoid putting the dropper in direct contact with your mouth: Put plainly: You really don’t want bacteria from your mouth touching the CBD oil dropper. It’s best to either drop your oil into a separate spoon or use a mirror to ensure you’re not touching your tongue or lips to the dropper.

While some CBD products are more affordable than others, it’s still frustrating if you need to throw a bottle away due to expiration. While you likely won’t get sick from ingesting expired CBD oil, the potency will be significantly lower—so you’re unlikely to experience the same therapeutic effects as you might have before.* 

In addition to storing your CBD oil properly, how can you aim for a long-lasting tincture? There are a few factors to consider:

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As Bonney explains, a big factor that can affect a CBD oil’s potency is its quality. “Higher quality plants grown in better conditions will yield higher quality CBD oil,” she says. This is just one of many reasons we prefer organic hemp CBD products. In fact, we have a list of the best organic CBD oils for you to explore. 

Beyond taking note of the hemp source, it’s critical that you’re able to access the third-party lab report for any CBD product. Third-party testing is one of the only ways to truly gauge what’s inside a CBD oil, CBD gummy, or CBD balm. “Reading the COA (certificate of analysis) will help you ascertain the level of quality,” Bonney emphasizes.

Some CBD brands use a very straightforward formula, such as a simple blend of olive oil and hemp CBD oil, while others include flavors, sweeteners, and additional plant extracts. “Keep in mind that when there are a lot of additives, it can affect the lasting power, as each ingredient has its own expiration date,” Bonney explains. 

Be sure to read the full ingredient list when purchasing a CBD product.

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The growing evidence around CBD is exciting. Researchers still have more to learn, but anecdotal reports and recent studies1 suggest many benefits to gain from the cannabinoid.*  

Like everything you put in your body, it’s important to do your research when purchasing CBD. This includes checking the expiration on your CBD oil before popping a big dropperful into your mouth. Expired CBD oil won’t have an adverse effect on your health, but it won’t do much good either.

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