CBD consumers in the UK are spending more on cannabidiol than ever before, research conducted by the Association for the Cannabinoid Industry reveals. They don’t buy cannabidiol products as often, however.
If that’s you, you might be stocking up — so your CBD supplies last you a good while.
Learning how to store your favourite CBD products is especially vital in that case! This primer will take you from noob to pro.
CBD Storage 101: What Should You Keep in Mind When Deciding How to Store Your Cannabidiol?
CBD oil remains the most common choice among UK consumers, but other cannabidiol products are also taking the market by storm. They include:
- CBD gummies
- CBD capsules
- CBD vape pens and vape liquids
- CBD tinctures
- CBD creams
The available range of CBD products is ever-increasing, and if you look hard enough, you’ll also find CBD energy drinks, CBD-infused coffee, CBD tea, CBD bath bombs, and CBD lip gloss — to name but a few options.
All these products have one thing in common: cannabidiol.
How does this non-psychoactive cannabinoid fare when it’s exposed to the elements? Here’s what research has discovered on the topic.
1. Light Exposure Damages CBD Products
Research shows that exposure to light — including sunlight and artificial light — contributes to the degradation of cannabidiol over time. Light exposure isn’t the only factor to shorten the shelf life of your favourite CBD products, but it’s one you want to consider, regardless of the type of CBD products you’re using.
2. High Temperatures Degrade CBD Products
Liquid forms of CBD, such as CBD oil, tinctures, and creams, were found to be “highly unstable” at “room temperatures”.
Consumers should keep in mind that, although the definition of “room temperature” is hotly debated in some circles, the lowest threshold is around 10 degrees Celsius. That’s too hot for your liquid CBD products. CBD isolate oils are more stable than broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD oils, but they aren’t invulnerable.
Liquid forms of cannabidiol are, on the other hand, stable at five degrees Celsius. That is, coincidentally, about the standard temperature of a regular fridge.
3. Oxygen Exposure Breaks Down CBD
CBD products are also, according to research, vulnerable to prolonged oxygen exposure. This principle applies to all forms cannabidiol, ranging from CBD oil to CBD tea. Sealing your CBD products in airtight containers can, therefore, help to prolong their shelf life.
How to Store Your CBD Products: Top Tips for Savvy Consumers
CBD enthusiasts who want to make sure they don’t do anything to damage their cannabidiol products should always start by reading the manufacturer’s storage instructions and taking note of the expiration date. They can take more extreme steps to keep their CBD products safe and sound from there.
Cannabidiol has some unique properties — and their storage implications have been studied a little. However, it can help to take a broader view as you decide how to store your CBD products. Other consumer products with similar properties tend to degrade under similar circumstances. To name some examples:
- All gummies dry out and lose taste when you expose them to air.
- Many cosmetics are damaged, and visibly degrade, when you leave them out in the heat.
- Other unstable “oily products that come in small bottles or capsules”, like fish oil capsules, generally must be stored in cool and dark places, too.
- CBD products can be affected by mould and humidity, just like other consumer products.
Looking for specific tips? Discover best-practice guidance on storing the most commonly-used CBD products next!
1. Storing CBD Oil
CBD oil remains the most popular CBD product. CBD oil usually comes in glass bottles with an amber colour. This packaging choice is designed to prevent your CBD oil from being exposed to light, which degrades it more quickly. Despite that, you should still avoid leaving it out in the light.
You can store your CBD oil in a dark bathroom or kitchen cabinet if you’re sure the temperature won’t exceed 21 degrees Celsius, but putting it in the fridge is the best way to preserve CBD oil. If you plan to travel with CBD oil (because you’re taking it to work, for instance), keep it away from the light by placing it in a backpack or handbag. Rethink that if there’s a heatwave, and opt for more stable CBD products instead.
Remember to close the lid properly each time!
2. Storing CBD Gummies
CBD gummies are a more stable form of cannabidiol. It’s a good idea to keep your CBD gummies out of the light, but beyond that, they react pretty much the same way as any other gummies:
- Air exposure will dry your CBD gummies out — making them so unappealing that you won’t even wonder whether the CBD is still “active”.
- High humidity levels make your CBD gummies soggy.
- Extremely high summer temperatures may “melt” some CBD gummies.
Carrying CBD gummies on the go is easy — stick them in your bag, away from the light. Rather than taking the entire bag or bottle with you, you may want to place a few CBD gummies in an airtight container or seal-easy bag.
3. Storing CBD Capsules
It’s best to treat your CBD capsules the same way you would treat dietary supplements in capsule form, such as Omega 3. Keep them in a cool and dark place, making sure to seal the lid after each use. Storing CBD capsules in the fridge is optimal.
If you’re taking CBD capsules to work or on an overnight visit somewhere, you may want to remove as many capsules as you think you’ll use. Place them in a separate airtight container, and leave the rest of the bottle in the fridge at home.
4. Storing CBD Vape Liquid
CBD vape liquid is ideally stored in a cool and dark place. As with other CBD products, it’s important to seal the lid to prevent oxidation. Are you bringing CBD vape liquid on the go? You may want to limit yourself to smaller bottles.
5. Storing CBD Cosmetics
CBD cosmetics like creams and shampoos should receive the same treatment as other cosmetics. Face creams, hand creams, and shampoos have a longer shelf life if they are not exposed to sunlight, steam, or water regularly. High temperatures can also damage cosmetics. It is not necessary to store CBD cosmetics in the fridge, however.
6. Storing CBD Tea
All tea degrades when it’s exposed to sunlight, air, and humidity. Heat also shortens the shelf life of any type of tea. One final consideration is that tea tends to take on the odours of the things around it, which can affect the final flavour.
Invest in quality packaging for your CBD tea, and look for containers with silicone seals.
Storing CBD Products: Some Final Advice
Research has shown that cannabidiol degrades more quickly when exposed to light, heat, and oxygen. CBD consumers who want to keep their products safe are best off storing them in cool, dark, and airtight conditions.
Read the manufacturer’s instructions, follow them, and keep an eye on the “best before” date. If you’re taking CBD with you on the go, to work or anywhere else, you can invest in airtight containers to store smaller quantities of CBD. This allows you to keep the rest of the package safe at home, ensuring it won’t be damaged by heat or humidity along the way.
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