What is the best way to store CBD oil?


What is the best way to store CBD oil?
Miguel Antonio Ordoñez

If you regularly take CBD oil, we can imagine you want your supply to stay fresh for as long as possible. In making sure that happens, it's vital to know how to properly store your oil. Don't worry about whether or not you have a proper setup, though, as you'll notice there are a variety of options available. Let's explore them all!

When you buy something important and fragile, what's the first thing you do? If you're like us, you'll probably search out the perfect place to store it. The world is cruel, after all, and certain things can get damaged over time when exposed to the elements. People have no problem doing that for their jewellery and antiques, but we think CBD oil users should exercise the same caution with their new bottles.

THE IMPORTANCE OF STORING CBD OIL CORRECTLY

We can imagine the first question on your mind: “Why? Is it really that sensitive?". In a way, yes. It's not like the oil evaporates in the wrong setting, but the quality can certainly dip with time. It's not immediate, but it won't take longer than a few weeks to notice a reduction in potency. Just think; if you buy two bottles a month, and they're half as effective due to improper storage, how much money is lost? Maybe not too much in the moment, but you could lose several bottles worth over a few months.

WHAT FACTORS AFFECT THE INTEGRITY OF CBD OIL?

Considering the potential loss, it's good to know what exact threats your CBD oil faces.

LIGHT

First, if your CBD oil is regularly exposed to light, you may see the potency decline over time. In fact, researchers have told us that light exposure is by far the biggest threat to cannabinoids (including CBD). Being aware of this, most CBD oil companies utilise tinted bottles, ensuring minimal light exposure regardless of location. Don't let that be its only protection, though; ensure you keep your oil out of direct light anyway.

Light

AIR

While not as significant of a threat as light, you don't want air and your CBD oil meeting up often. The issue here is chemical, as oxygen can mess with your oil's chemical balance. This issue, known as oxidative stress, is even considered from the very beginning of the manufacturing process. As the manufacturers strive to limit oxygen exposure when making the oil, ensure their work isn't wasted by keeping the bottle sealed when not in use.

HEAT

Lastly, heat can sneak up on you and ruin the quality of your CBD oil if you aren't careful. Rather than directly affecting the CBD, the heat tampers with certain minerals in the oil, subsequently altering the cannabinoids. The oil might take on a muddy texture and appearance as a result. Keeping that in mind, avoid putting your CBD oil near any heating appliances or windows in the house.

WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO STORE CBD OIL?

Knowing what to avoid is one thing, but knowing how to avoid all those things is another. Don't overthink it, as you likely already have the perfect storage space for your CBD oil.

CUPBOARD

No open air? Check! No heat sources nearby? Unless you're in the kitchen, that's almost guaranteed. No light? Just don't plug a lamp in there, and you're good!

Yes, rather than suggesting some fancy CBD safe, we just recommend putting your oil in a cool, dark, and dry cabinet. If you've got one in your bedroom or living room, that's optimal. Even if you're in the kitchen, you can ensure its safety by keeping the CBD oil as far from the oven or toaster as possible. Just don't pick one to the side of, or directly above/below, those appliances.

REFRIGERATOR

Think of your refrigerator as the coolest cabinet in your house. There's no light exposure (when it's closed), it's airtight, and heat is definitely not an issue! As long as you're only storing it for a week or two at a time, this is by far your best choice.

It might take on a weird consistency as it cools down, but running warm water over the bottle should fix that up. That's due to the oil itself, not the CBD, so you can trust the quality's been maintained. For example, if you put regular olive oil in the fridge, you'll notice the same thing happen.

DOES CBD OIL EXPIRE?

So, we've been talking all this talk about preserving quality, but how long can CBD oil be preserved? In other words, is there an expiration date?

As with any other product containing oil, yes. It won't be too soon after your purchase, however, so you'll have some wiggle room. There's no need for guesswork or estimations, either! Any reputable CBD company, including Cibdol, will have a best before/expiration date printed on their bottles.

CAN YOU FREEZE CBD OIL?

Now, given what we said about the refrigerator earlier, you might be wondering if the freezer is a viable place to store your CBD oil.

Technically, it is! If you want to keep your CBD oil stored for longer than a month or so, the freezer is your best bet. That being said, there's no guarantee of how well your oil will hold up in that setting. Namely, not all CBD oils have the same ingredients, and they won’t all react to being frozen in the same way. Some will thaw out just fine, but others might not even be usable after they're frozen.

If you're having any doubts about a specific CBD product, just call the manufacturer! They've accounted for someone wanting to freeze their product, and will know how it will react better than anyone. If you have no luck there, customer reviews should reveal the answer.

WHAT ABOUT STORING OTHER CBD PRODUCTS?

What's the deal with storing your other CBD products, then? Do they all require the same care? Well, certain products, such as edibles or topicals, won't be as sensitive to the threats we've discussed, but they're still vulnerable. In turn, we recommend treating them with similar considerations. Maybe you could dedicate a specific cabinet to your CBD products! At any rate, just keep heat, light, and air at a firm distance. Your body, and your wallet, will thank you!

Miguel Antonio Ordoñez
Miguel Antonio Ordoñez

Miguel Ordoñez is a long-time writer by trade. Utilizing his AB Mass Media and Communications degree, he has 13 years of experience and counting. He’s covered a wide array of topics, with passion lying in combat sports, mental health, and of course, cannabis.