Most Cannabidiol (CBD) users still consume the substance in its oil form.
However, other forms of CBD, specifically topical CBDs, are increasingly becoming popular for several reasons.
Aside from offering relief, topical CBDs can also improve the overall health and appearance of the skin.
While CBD is the main component of CBD oil and topical CBDs, their formulation actually varies.
You may also find various skincare ingredients in topical formulations such as vitamins, essential oils, and herbal extracts.
While lotion is the most popular form of topical CBD, massage oils, serums, balms, salves, and creams are also widely available.
This article, however, will focus on CBD lotion and how you can select the right one from the market.
As you probably know, several brands are already offering a range of CBD products online.
While some are top-quality products, there are also mediocre ones that are just riding on the trend. So, to help you get a good selection of CBD lotions, take note of the following tips below:
Find A Reputable Company
While Cannabidiol is a powerful supplement that a lot of people swear by, there’s not enough evidence yet to classify it as a medicine on a national or international level yet.
Studies on CBD are still just beginning to take off. Because of this, CBD products are loosely regulated.
It’s one of the major reasons why consumers need to make sure that they find a reputable source of CBD lotion.
Some companies that produce topical CBD products only exist for the money.
What they do is sell watered down or diluted CBD lotion that might have been mixed with other chemicals.
Thus, you might not enjoy the full benefits of CBD if you use the product.
Before trying a CBD company or brand, ask friends or family members if they’re familiar with it or look up brand reviews online. Don’t just base your decision solely on CBD advertising that is done by the companies themselves.
Look For Third-Party Lab Testing Reports
It’s normal to question every CBD product that you ingest or apply to your body. It’s actually a good thing.
That’s why third-party testing is crucial when it comes to finding and choosing a CBD lotion for your skin.
Third-party testing keeps a CBD company in check.
Since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not released specific guidelines for Cannabidiol-derived products yet, you can rely on third-party testing companies to give you honest and unbiased facts.
Make Sure To Read The Label
As previously mentioned, Cannabidiol products are loosely regulated. While some brands might look very enticing through their ads, the label might tell you otherwise.
Always read the label every time you buy CBD lotion or any other forms of CBD.
Check the ingredients and recommended dosage too. Make sure that all ingredients are natural.
If you are not familiar with some of the ingredients listed, get on your computer or smartphone and look them up.
A good quality CBD lotion has all-natural ingredients, is clearly labeled, and will even come with a warranty from the company.
Topical products made from Hemp, such as CBD lotion and CBD cream, vary greatly as to the milligrams of Cannabidiol per ounce.
Although there’s no one recommended dose or strength of CBD, you still have to pay close attention if you want to figure out the lotion’s potency.
If the brand does not have a list of ingredients on its label, or if you think they did not put a complete list, it is best to steer clear from their products.
A reputable CBD brand would always be transparent about their ingredients, formulation, and processes in the creation of their products.
Refusing to disclose all such pertinent information is a red flag, and the company is most likely using diluted CBD formulation or enhancing the products through chemical additives.
Check The Method Used To Grow The Hemp Plant
High-quality CBD products come out of high-quality Hemp. The best CBD lotion isn’t an exception to that.
Not all Hemp plants are the same, and that’s why not all CBD lotions are created equal.
Ideally, the plant should have been grown without using any herbicide or pesticide in nutrient-rich soil.
Hemp plants soak up everything in the soil it is planted in. This process is called phytoremediation.
Because of that, toxic chemicals could get into your CBD lotion if it was grown with chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
This will have a negative impact on your lotion’s properties.
Know How The Cannabidiol Was Extracted
The method used in extracting CBD from the Hemp plant will affect the Cannabidiol’s genetic makeup.
Pressure must be applied to the Hemp to extract the CBD. Trichomes will burst open as a result.
The plant will then excrete its oils, which will be collected and bottled by the manufacturers.
What actually separates high-quality CBD products from low-quality ones is how manufacturers apply pressure to extract Cannabidiol from the Hemp.
If a Cannabidiol product is extracted by heat, butane is most likely used in the process.
Butane’s chemicals and the Cannabinoids in the CBD will come into contact with one another.
These chemical reactions will alter the genetic profile of all the compounds.
Butane has been shown to be hazardous, so it can be a problem.
Even if Cannabinoids will be distilled from the final CBD product, their initial interaction still dilutes the product’s quality.
What you need to do is to look for companies or manufacturers that utilize other extraction methods instead.
CO2 or food-grade ethanol extraction are better methods.
These all-natural solvents ensure that Terpenes and Cannabinoids remain intact throughout the extraction process.
Know The Type Of CBD You Need
A CBD product can be either broad-spectrum or isolate.
A broad-spectrum CBD product contains a full spectrum of Cannabinoids, and it may include Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of Hemp.
A CBD isolate, however, only contains pure CBD.
It went through a refining process to remove all other Cannabinoids such as Terpenes, Flavonoids, and of course, THC.
Experts argue that full-spectrum products are better due to the “entourage effect.” The entourage effect pertains to the idea that the components of a Cannabis plant work better when they are mixed together.
However, this still boils down to your personal preference. If you like a pure CBD product, then you could go for a CBD isolate.
A CBD isolate product is more likely to be odorless too, but the lotion might be mixed with fragrances to give off a scent.
Final Thoughts
The availability of topical CBDs, especially CBD lotions, seems to be an exciting prospect.
However, you have to keep in mind that not all CBD lotions are the same.
CBD topicals may be a new thing in natural wellness, but they will only be a great addition to your skincare regimen if they are reliable and of high-quality.
Thus, when selecting your next CBD lotion online or in physical stores, always look for the things mentioned and discussed above.
Do your research to understand what each CBD product offers and how it can affect your body before choosing and spending your hard-earned money on a product.