How To Store CBD Products
Whether you’re a seasoned CBD enthusiast or a newcomer to the wellness revolution, knowing how to store CBD products properly is essential.
Storage is critical for preserving the potency and freshness of your CBD products and enhancing your overall experience.
Take it from me. I’m a seasoned cannabis cultivator, with a decade of experience consuming all different types of CBD products.
In this brief guide, you’ll learn key strategies that will not only extend the shelf-life of your CBD products but also enhance their efficacy. From ideal temperatures to the perfect containers, keep reading to master the art of CBD storage.
Key Takeaways
- Proper storage enhances CBD product shelf life and quality, minimizing the degradation of cannabinoids and active compounds.
- Negative factors that impact CBD oil effectiveness include UV light, temperature fluctuations, and exposure to air.
- Store CBD products in a dark, cool, and dry space at room temperature (around 60 to 70°F), keeping in mind that products should be stored in an airtight container to prevent oxidation.
CBD Degradation Factors
Being aware of different CBD degradation factors can make it easier to understand why storing your products properly is so important.
Keep the following things in mind to maximize the shelf-life and quality of your CBD products by diminishing the degradation of cannabinoids and other beneficial cannabis compounds.
Air Exposure
Research shows exposure to oxygen and air can decrease cannabis stability, leading to a loss of overall cannabinoid content. Air exposure will ultimately decrease the effectiveness of CBD products by reducing their potency. This is why it’s so important to choose airtight containers.
Light Exposure
Exposure to light is the greatest single factor in the loss of cannabinoids. This means when exposed to light (and not just direct sunlight), CBD products will quickly begin to degrade and lose their potency. This is why it’s vital to store products in the dark, preferably in opaque containers.
Temperature Fluctuations
High temperatures can significantly break down the active compounds and cannabinoids in CBD. Research shows CBD products degrade as much as 20% after being stored at 98 °F (37 °C) for 30 days. The best temp to store your CBD products is below 70 °F.
How To Store CBD Oil
Knowing how to store CBD oil is paramount to the best experience possible.
Now that you understand the various things that degrade CBD and negatively impact quality and potency, it’s time to learn how to properly store your favorite products.
When stored properly CBD oil has a 1-2 year shelf-life. Just like most things, properly taking care of your CBD products preserves their quality and makes all the difference.
The best way to CBD oil is at room temperature, which is typically around 60 to 70°F (16 to 21°C in a dark place away from light. A pantry, cupboard, or closet are all perfect storage places.
You want to avoid the elements that break down the beneficial compounds in your CBD. This can be tough if you live in a hot, humid, or tropical environment. If this is the case, refrigerating your CBD products is recommended.
Always keep your CBD oil in its original packaging to avoid contamination and unnecessary air exposure. This is paramount to keeping your product in optimal condition. CBD should always be stored in an airtight bottle in a dark, temperature-controlled room.
I’m a bit obsessed with using CBD oil in my skincare routine, and I always strive to optimize the benefits of my favorite products. I’ve tried several things to maintain the quality of my CBD skincare products.
One brilliant example involved storing my face serums, oils, and mists in the refrigerator. While this method offered a refreshing application for some products, it made the CBD oil less viscous and the application process far less enjoyable.
That said, refrigeration should be a secondary storage option. Especially if you have a cool, dark, dry cupboard space that doesn’t get hotter than 70 °F. Proper storage is so crucial in maintaining the effectiveness and quality of your CBD products.
In short, optimal conditions for storing your CBD products include:
- A dark, cool, dry place with a temperature of approximately around 60-70°F (16-21°C).
- Store CBD oil and other products in the airtight, brown opaque or blue bottles they come in to avoid oxidation and prevent exposure to UV rays.
- Always avoid storing CBD products in direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
Keeping Hemp Flower Fresh
When learning how to store CBD products properly, keeping hemp flower fresh is something else to keep in mind. The three biggest factors to consider when storing hemp flower are humidity, air, and light.
Humidity
The environment for storing your hemp flower can make a huge difference in its potency, flavor, and presence of mold. You can keep your hemp flower as fresh as possible for as long as possible by storing it in a cool, dry space at 40-60% relative humidity.
Air
Oxygen is one of the quickest ways to destroy the beneficial compounds in your hemp buds, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and more. This is why airtight containers made of glass or metal are perfect for storing hemp flower.
Light
Light exposure is also an unfavorable factor when it comes to storing CBD flower. Keeping your hemp flower in a dark cool space will help prevent degradation of terpenes and cannabinoids, maintaining its potency, flavor, and aroma.
Storing Other CBD Products
What about storing other CBD products aside from oil and flower?
Take CBD edibles, for example. CBD gummies are some of the most popular products on the market, and knowing how to store them properly will ensure they stay fresh, tasty, and potent.
The best place to keep edibles is a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Airtight packaging is also key to keep them fresh in between indulging.
An easy way to remember how to store CBD edibles is to imagine leaving a bag of gummies in your car on a hot sunny day. They’ll melt into each other, all colors colliding into one giant mess, compromising their quality by destroying the beneficial compounds.
Topical CBD products, such as balms and creams, should be stored in a cool place away from extreme temperatures. Don’t forget to always tightly secure the lid to prevent CBD topicals from drying out.
CBD capsules should be treated like other supplements. They’re best stored in opaque, airtight containers in a cool, dry, dark cupboard.
Wrapping Up
Proper storage is essential to maximize the benefits of CBD products.
Whether it’s CBD oil, hemp flower, or other CBD-infused products, taking simple precautions can make a significant difference in maintaining potency and freshness.
Knowing how to store CBD products properly (and what causes them to degrade) offers the knowledge you need to ensure your CBD remains effective and delivers the benefits you desire over time.
