Does CBD Oil Need to Be Refrigerated? The Truth About Cold Storage

On your way out of the house in the morning, you notice a small package by your front door. You've just received your first-ever bottle of CBD oil! You're excited to give it to your cat or dog when you get home later, but there's one problem: You have no clue where to store CBD products. Does CBD oil need to be refrigerated?

 

Maybe the fridge or freezer will work, but you're not sure how the cold will affect the oil. Perhaps the pantry? But it's been hot recently, and you don't know whether CBD is supposed to be kept at a specific temperature or if it even matters at all. Well, worry not, friend! We’re here to help answer your questions about the storage of CBD and CBD products.

 

 

How Long Does CBD Oil Last?

Now, of course, different products will have different shelf lives, but CBD oil generally has a shelf life of 12-24 months. CBD's shelf life varies so widely because many factors, like heat and exposure to sunlight, affect how fast the product expires.

 

To give an example, suppose you buy bread. It expires in 30 days. But, say you happen to live in Southern California. In that case, that shelf life could potentially be cut in half if you leave the bread on the counter every day in the hot, sweltering weather.

 

But, the same storage situation might play out more positively if you live in a place like Colorado or Minnesota, where the weather is much cooler.

 

In this respect, CBD is very similar to bread. Where you choose to store your CBD can either prolong or shorten its lifespan. It is essential to store your CBD properly to avoid cutting your product's shelf life short.

 

 

 

 

What Affects the Shelf Life Of CBD Oil?

While a handful of factors can alter the shelf life of CBD, these are the four main conditions to consider when storing CBD oil for your pet:

 

• Temperature.; Overexposure to extreme temperatures, whether it be extreme cold or extreme heat, is ill-advised and could alter/spoil the product.
• Light. It is essential to keep your CBD products away from direct sunlight. You'll want to store your oil away from windows or areas where the sun might be able to reach it.
• Humidity. Similar to how overexposure to heat can potentially spoil CBD oil, humidity and moisture can threaten your CBD's quality and safety by creating mold. Humidity poses a common threat to all oils, not just CBD.
• Air Exposure. Like light and heat, too much air can also break down various natural cannabinoids, CBD included. Keen consumers may have noticed that CBD oil comes in an airtight bottle designed to prevent air exposure.

 

 

Does CBD Oil Need to Be Refrigerated?

Simple answer: No, it doesn't. And though it is by no means necessary, CBD oil will fare perfectly well in the refrigerator. When in doubt, read the storage directions on the bottle. Some manufacturers recommend keeping their tinctures in the fridge, while others (like HolistaPet) don’t.

 

In fact, CBD thrives in environments below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Refrigeration may be a smart choice for consumers that plan on holding on to their CBD products over an extended period of time. But, this is not because of the lower temperature.

 

Light and oxygen are the two biggest factors that cause CBD oil to degrade. When you store the tincture in the fridge, you effectively keep it out of the sunlight and within an airtight environment. This is why a fridge makes an ideal place to store CBD oil.

 

Let's return to the bread example once more. When consumers buy bread in bulk, they will often store the excess in the fridge or freezer. Obviously, bread does not need to be refrigerated, but refrigeration extends the product's life significantly.

 

Keeping your CBD oil refrigerated may also be a good call for consumers that keep extra CBD products stored for emergency use or tend to buy their products in bulk. By refrigerating your CBD oil, you may extend its shelf life, though your oil can certainly survive without refrigeration.

 

 

Can You Freeze CBD Oil?

Consumers who purchase their CBD products in bulk may choose to place their CBD in the freezer to ensure it doesn't spoil. While this is technically a viable method of preserving your product, freezing your CBD oil is not recommended.

 

A small handful of CBD oils do well in frigid temperatures, while others do not. This difference has to do with your CBD's carrier oil. Many CBD tinctures use coconut oil (we make our CBD oils with nutritious hemp seed oil), which can freeze when exposed to extreme cold, making the oil nearly impossible to use.

 

When you take your oil out of the freezer, you might notice some cloudiness or thicker consistency. The solution should return to normal when you thaw it (though some cloudiness may still remain). Again, how your oil reacts to freezing temperatures will depend on its ingredients, mainly the carrier oil.

 

Though you can thaw your oil after freezing it, doing this repeatedly may make your CBD spoil faster. When thawing your tincture, run warm water over the bottle until the oil reaches the desired consistency. Do not microwave the oil or place it in an oven. This will make the solution too hot and destroy the CBD!

 

 

 

 

How to Store CBD Oil Properly

As mentioned in the sections above, CBD likes a dry, dark, and cool area–unexposed to any form of light. Cupboards are prime CBD real-estate because they are relatively dim and are often dry areas where food in danger of getting mold (such as cereal or bread) is kept.

 

Drawers, bathroom counters, and closets are other great places to store CBD oil. As long as the area does not get too hot, moist, or too much sunlight, you should not worry about CBD spoilage!

 

Like all natural compounds, CBD will deteriorate over time. But, it is possible and relatively easy to maximize the time you get out of your CBD products with proper storage. Here are places you shouldn't store your oil:

 

• Within reach of children or pets
• Inside your car, truck, or any other vehicle
• Near the stover, oven, or other heat sources
• Next to a window or other constant light source

 

Should You Refrigerate Other CBD Products?

While refrigeration isn't necessary for the majority of CBD products, there are a few that, in our humble opinion, might be better enjoyed cold. Thankfully, we've compiled a list of CBD products that we consider fridge-friendly:

 

Fridge Friendly CBD Products:

• CBD Treats - In most cases, refrigerating edible CBD products is highly advisable. Whether they are for dogs or cats, crunchy or soft, there aren't many biscuits that don't benefit from cold storage. The benefit of refrigerating your pet's CBD treats is mainly preserving the bis and has less to do with the CBD itself.
• CBD Capsules - Although capsules don't require refrigeration, you can certainly store them in the fridge if there are no other options available. The cold won't harm any of the organic ingredients in our CBD dog or cat capsules.

 

See more tips for caring for your cat

 

Final Thoughts

The fact that you are reading this article means that you are dedicated to getting the best out of your CBD product! Your pet will thank you. While refrigeration is not wholly necessary when it comes to finding CBD oil and storing it, it can extend the product's shelf life.

 

Cautious consumers will want to keep their CBD products away from light, extreme temperatures, and humid weather. And if you live in one of the many hot and humid parts of our world, refrigeration is definitely an excellent option for storing your CBD.

 

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