A Guide to CBD Topicals, Balms, and Lotions

CBD products are gaining popularity quickly. They are also very easy to get. There is a wide range of ways that you can use CBD. However, CBD topicals are one of the easiest. But there are many to choose from, so before grabbing one online, you will want to learn a bit about them. That way, you can choose the right ones for you.

What Is a CBD topical?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a compound you can find in the hemp and cannabis plants. However, unlike with THC, CBD will not make you feel high. A CBD topical has the compound in it and is friendly to your skin. A few examples include creams, lotions, gels, and balms. Many users believe that CBD may help to manage their inflammation or pain.

Who Can Use CBD Topicals?

CBD topicals can penetrate through the skin but do not enter the bloodstream. Some users place the topical on a certain area of the body — for example, on a knee that is in pain. 

Other people enjoy using CBD as a potential preventive measure. They might use the topical one or more times every day to build up levels of CBD in the area. 

Some types of topicals may have bases that contain nourishing ingredients. For example, jojoba, coconut, and avocado oils and vitamin E are often used. These ingredients can provide deep moisturization. You can also find traditional lotions with a base made from different ingredients.

Choosing the Right Type of Topical 

You have many options, including balms and lotions. Many lotions have a water base. However, a cream might have an oil or fat base. The base of a balm is even thicker, and it may be something like beeswax. You’ll want to decide before purchasing what type of base you want.

A water-based topical will be absorbed into your skin quickly. However, it may not keep it moisturized for quite as long. Choosing an oil-based topical allows the CBD to be absorbed more easily and to penetrate the skin deeper. 

If you’re looking for something you can apply quickly and easily, you may want to look into gels. For example, many people who have trouble using their hands, like arthritis patients, find that gels are preferable.

CBD can come from the hemp or the cannabis plant. An extract from the cannabis plant often has a range of different compounds, known as cannabinoids. While the CBD from hemp is often purer, its chemical diversity is also limited. 

You should also look into what part of the plant a hemp topical came from. The stalk and seeds of the hemp plant do not have CBD. Knowing the part of the plant that went through the extraction process will help you ascertain that you are actually getting CBD.

SHOP CBD NOW

Some products claim that they have a lot of CBD in them. However, the label does not always reflect reality. Remember that not every topical is equal. You should always research before purchasing something for the first time. Look at the kind of CBD extract in the product. For example, it might be isolate, full-spectrum, or broad-spectrum.

You’ll also want to ask where the raw material came from. It’s a good idea to look for a certificate from the supplier that shows the topical was tested for toxins, such as heavy metals, solvents, pesticides, and microbials. This certificate should also show results for the terpene profile and the cannabinoid potency. In addition, you might want to purchase from someone who has used sustainable or organic agricultural practices.

The concentration of the topical can also be important. When it comes to CBD, you generally want to have a higher one. Of course, you will get what you pay for. Higher-quality CBD products will often reflect that in their price tag.

The Entourage Effect and Topicals

Some people believe that products with both CBD and THC help them more than CBD by itself. The cannabinoids can increase each other’s effects. This is something known as the entourage effect. The end result is that you might be able to get similar effects by using less of a topical with both THC and CBD in it. That can help you save money in the long run.

In a study from 2010, patients who had pain from cancer received cannabis extracts. Some patients got pure THC, while others got an extract that had equal amounts of CBD and THC in it. The patients who had an equal mix of THC and CBD reported that they had less pain than the ones who had only THC.

However, there are many other cannabinoids in the marijuana plant. These include CBG, CBN, and CBC. There are also terpenes, which are responsible for giving the plant its scent. With so many different compounds in the plant, there are many possibilities for how it can interact with your body.

By itself, the cannabis flower has many terpenes and cannabinoids. That is because it is an herbal product. But some topicals may have a wide range of terpenes and cannabinoids. These are known as full-spectrum products.

Closing Thoughts

The right CBD topical for you will depend on what you want to get out of it. You can find topicals that have different levels of CBD in them. You might want to start out with a lower concentration and apply only a little to begin with. As you get used to it, you may want to move on to using a bit more.

No matter what type of topical you choose, there are many amazing options to help you get in a little more CBD. Because the market is oversaturated, you might come across topicals that produce very different results. For example, CBD from traditional cannabis may have different compounds than CBD that comes from hemp. To avoid poor-quality products, you will want to make sure you get your topical from a company that you trust.