Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is becoming more popular than ever. Just a few of the types of products that are being infused with CBD oil include beauty items and cosmetics, beverages, edibles, vaporizers, as well as the pure oil itself.
But regardless of which product you prefer the most, you might be wondering, “should CBD oil be refrigerated?” It’s a worthy question to ask, especially considering the sometimes steep pricing of CBD oil products. Proper storage techniques are vital for almost any type of substance and the same goes for CBD oil.
As CBD becomes more well-known in the mainstream health and wellness industries, more people are curious about how to best store CBD oil. Specifically, CBD enthusiasts are wondering, should CBD oil be refrigerated?
Does CBD need to be refrigerated?
CBD oil doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
However, refrigeration could extend the shelf life of CBD oil. In addition, certain CBD products are better suited for refrigeration than others, a topic which we will explore more of later.
There is little risk involved in refrigerating your CBD oil. Whether or not you keep your CBD oil refrigerated is more a matter of preference than it is a matter of quality control.
Where Should I Store My CBD Oil?
If you’re wondering if CBD oil should be refrigerated, you’re probably interested in the most efficient way to store and preserve your CBD oil. Understanding how to maintain the cannabinoid content, as well as the quality of any other natural compounds in your chosen product, is vital.
When it comes to storing your CBD oil, there are certain storage options to avoid at all costs. Specifically, you should avoid exposing your CBD oil to any type of extreme temperatures or environments–whether it be extreme cold or heat.
To preserve the quality of your CBD oil, it’s necessary to keep the product out of excessively dry or moist areas as well. The temperate environment of a pantry or cupboard is one example of a safe storage option for CBD oil.
The Effects of Heat, Light, and Humidity on CBD Oil
Too much heat exposure can spoil CBD oil. This point is especially useful to keep in mind for people who reside in typically hot locations. For example, you don’t want to leave your CBD oil in your car, especially in hot weather.
Aside from living in an area with a characteristically hot climate, it’s also necessary to keep your CBD oil away from any heat-producing appliances. Some appliances that are notorious for giving off heat include dishwashers, lighting (specifically incandescent and halogen lighting), refrigerators, stoves, and televisions.
If you do plan to keep your CBD oil in a room where heat-generating appliances are present, be mindful to keep it at a safe distance.
It’s also vital to keep your CBD oil away from direct heat and light, such as that of the sun. When it comes to storing your CBD oil, avoid keeping it near a window or area where the sun can reach it.
CBD oil exists most comfortably in a dark, dry, and cool area–unexposed to any form of light. While most CBD oils are protected from light by the dark glass bottles they often come in, it’s better to be safe than sorry, especially since the glass doesn’t provide full protection.
Similar to the effects of heat, humidity and moisture can degrade the quality of your CBD by creating mold. The potential for rancidity and mold is possible in all oils, not just CBD oil. In order to avoid ingesting potentially dangerous substances, it’s imperative to keep almost any oil out of extreme humidity and moisture.
Whether you should store CBD oil in your fridge depends on several factors, including whether you have another adequate place to store it, how humid your climate is, how humid your fridge is, and the specific product at hand. Some companies and industry authorities recommend storing it in the fridge while others don’t, and answers are sometimes contradictory.
What Do CBD Experts Say About Storage?
Refrigeration will extend CBD oil’s shelf life, though it’s unnecessary to do so unless it’s under certain circumstances such as those mentioned above.
A quick Google search will yield a plethora of results about the question, “should CBD oil be refrigerated?” Despite the volume of knowledge that these results produce, the information can be conflicting, to say the least. As we noted above, some CBD experts are against refrigerating CBD oil, while others encourage it.
Whereas certain companies, like CBD Oil Plus, recommend refrigeration for only certain CBD products, specifically the more concentrated strains, other presumed authorities on CBD advise a cool climate to be the best-storing method for any type of CBD oil.
According to another internet resource on CBD, Honest CBD Reviews, most CBD products include an expiration date on their bottle or packaging. Expiration dates come in especially hand when considering if you should refrigerate your CBD oil. For instance, if your oil is set to reach its expiration in the near future, you might be best off keeping it chilled. Conversely, if your CBD oil is still well within its quality date, usually within two years of purchase, you can safely store it in a pantry.
Below, we’ll discuss which type of CBD products are best suited for refrigeration and which are better off in an alternative environment.
Which CBD Products Should be Refrigerated?
Oils
Depending on the composition of your CBD oil and what ingredients it’s made up of, it may be subject to decomposition at certain temperatures.
To determine what the best temperature to store your CBD oil is, check which carrier oils your product might include. Two of the most common carrier oils in CBD are coconut oil and olive oil. It’s worth your while to store your CBD oil based on the environment best suited to its carrier oil.
In general, CBD oil will be perfectly fine in the refrigerator. It’s been noted that CBD oil thrives best in conditions under 70 degrees Fahrenheit, making the fridge an ideal spot.
Topicals
Similar to stand-alone CBD oil, topical CBD products such as salves, balms, and creams are vulnerable to extreme temperatures as well as too much light or air. Another trusted CBD source states that topical CBD remedies are best stored in the fridge, tightly sealed. However, if applying a cold product to your body is unappealing, the pantry or the drawer in your bedside table are equally fine places for storage as well.
Edibles
Edible CBD products are the most at risk for perishability given that food and beverages typically come with nearby expiration dates themselves.
However, the level of the perishability of any particular CBD edible depends greatly on the type of edible. Whereas certain types of hard candies and chocolates can last for quite some time, other CBD-infused edibles like teas and coffee will most likely have a shorter shelf life.
Edible CBD products are best off in chilled conditions and therefore are safest in the refrigerator.
Vape cartridges
Vaping CBD is one of the most effective methods of ingesting CBD. Not only does it take effect quickly (usually within a half hour’s time), but it’s also one of the most convenient ways to take your CBD.
Generally speaking, vape cartridges, CBD-infused or not, are just fine without refrigeration and can last up to two years so long as they’re not exposed to any extreme environments. Similar to edibles and oils, refrigeration will likely extend the shelf life of CBD vape cartridges, but ultimately its storage is a matter of preference.
Summary: Should CBD Oil Be Refrigerated?
It is technically unnecessary to keep CBD oil refrigerated. However, if you plan to keep your CBD oil unused for an extended period, like over a year, refrigeration is a worthy option. The shelf life of your CBD oil will be preserved for longer if you keep it refrigerated–this is the case with most CBD-infused products.
Keep in mind that most people use their CBD oil frequently enough that they won’t have much reason to store it for an extended period. However, it’s still important to remember that CBD oil resides best in a cold, dark, and dry environment–especially if you plan on using it frequently and within a few weeks or months after purchase.
So, should CBD oil be refrigerated? It’s unnecessary to do so, but it can’t hurt much either.
Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference, and how often and when you plan on using your CBD oil.
